fresh ink

for the longest time i've wanted to get a tattoo on my forearm.

something personal.

special.

simple.

a friend suggested getting a band.

i just thought it would look like a black rubber band on my arm.

so i said No.

then i thought how about something different.

scrīpture from the bible...

but what?

anyway i was going to Israel so maybe i'd find something there.

as i was falling in love with Israel,

i was also falling in love with God's people.

and their worship for God.

(or Sh'ma Yisrael or just Shema) ( Hebrew: שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל‎; "Hear, [O] Israel") are the first two words of a section of the Torah ( Hebrew Bible) that is a centerpiece of the morning and evening Jewish prayer services.

it continues in Deuteronomy Chapter 6;

'' 4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.

7 Impress them on your children.

Talk about them when you sit at home and

when you walk along the road,

when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. ''

today, Jewish men still bind their arm and forehead with Tefillin during worship.

i wanted to bring home a bit of a Israel. and i did.