Kavanah Hand Embellished Giclee

This painting was inspired by an image of the Sadigura Rebbe, Rabbi Avrohom Yaakov Friedman, captured in a moment of deep concentration as he held the becher during Kiddush.

What moved me was not only the act itself, but the intensity of his presence. His hand rests at his forehead — a traditional Sadigura gesture — a physical expression of inward focus and spiritual alignment. In that gesture, I saw total immersion: mind, heart, and body unified in the act of blessing.

This work centers on kavanah — the depth of intention that transforms a familiar ritual into a sacred encounter. Kiddush is repeated week after week, yet in this moment it becomes entirely new. The Rebbe’s expression reflects a profound connection to Hashem, a sense of being fully present in the words he is saying and the holiness he is drawing into the world.

I incorporated 24k gold leaf, mica flakes, and genuine diamonds throughout the painting to echo the sanctity of the moment. These materials hold and reflect light in subtle ways, creating a quiet luminosity that mirrors the inner holiness of focused prayer rather than outward display.

This painting is about presence as devotion. It is a reminder that holiness is not only found in grand gestures, but in the depth with which we enter a moment. When intention is complete, even a single blessing can become a meeting place between the human and the Divine.