HOW TO MAKE THE WORLD BEAUTIFUL: JEWISH VIEWS ON ART AS WAY TO IMPROVE THE WORLD

Annotation

According to Jewish thought, God intentionally left “space” in the universe for improvement, entrusting humans with the task of enhancing reality. In Judaism, this idea is known as Tikkun Olam, which translates from Hebrew as “repairing the world”. Improvement, or the movement of humanity in the direction set by God, is seen as achievable primarily through meticulous and universal fulfillment of God’s will as outlined in the Torah in the form of commandments. Since a significant portion of these directives are ethical in nature, the doctrine of Tikkun Olam initially assumes the rectification of imperfect social relationships and the movement towards a more just and harmonious societal structure. Nowadays, there is an increasing notion that art is one of the spheres of human activity that contributes to the repair and sanctification of the world. This article examines the place and role of visual art within the concept of Tikkun Olam, as well as the boundaries set by Judaism regarding the use of its various forms. It notes that attitudes toward this issue are characterized by a wide range of opinions: views vary from very restrained to enthusiastic judgments about the significance of art in achieving the goal of “repairing the world”. At the same time, Jewish authors who assert the religious value of artistic creativity insist that not all creative activity aligns with the idea of positive change in the world. Halakhic principles (primarily the prohibition against images of God), as well as moral guidelines and spiritual orientations shaped by religious consciousness, should serve as guiding stars for those engaged in art.

Keywords

Jewish art; art and Judaism; Tikkun Olam

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