The sculptor Chaim Gross was born in the Carpathian mountains in Austrian Galicia, the son of a lumber merchant. Uprooted by the mayhem of World War I and its aftermath, he settled in New York City in 1921 and pursued the study of sculpting. He became known for direct carving in wood and did not turn to modeling and casting in bronze until the 1950s. He worked in a figurative style. From the 1950s, biblical and Jewish themes dominated his work.
As I write these words it occurs to me that, since it is the woman who runs the household, she must have wide knowledge and be a good manager. For many centuries our nation ignored women’s education…
Commandment II is from a series of forged-iron sculptures Kirili began in the late 1970s. They are among his best-known works and reflect his strong interest in religious concepts and ancient texts…
My son, listen to my wisdom;
Incline your ear to my insight,
That you may have foresight,
While your lips hold fast to knowledge.
For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey;
Her mouth is…