Mindy Fitterman
Thangkas Yizkor Circles of Ten Red Heifer Stitched Kintsugi
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Mindy Fitterman

Red Heifer Artist’s Statement

The red heifer was part of a purification ritual used after contact with death. With the destruction of the Second Temple this and many other rituals became obsolete.

Parsha Chukat (Numbers 19:1-22) provides a recipe of sorts.

The ingredients

  • “Red stuff” (Something was lost and now no one knows for sure what the “red stuff” is.)

  • Fire

  • Hyssop (symbol of humility)

  • Cypress (symbol of arrogance)

  • A perfect red heifer and its dung

  • Mayim chayim (living waters)

The process

  • Properly orient yourself “outside the camp.”

  • Use fire to transform the “red stuff,” hyssop, cypress, red heifer and dung into ash.

  • Mix the ash with mayim chayim.

  • Do laundry. Take a bath.

  • Sprinkle the concoction giving special consideration to the numbers three and seven.

  • And there you are — back in the world of the living.

In fact, this law is not expected to make sense. It is a chok, a law requiring blind faith.

Development of this illumination involved Torah study, close review of cross stitch patterns, a little botany, ancient cattle breeds, and even cattle videos.

Ironically, a significant death coincided with my work on this project. Stitching created space to reflect and mend, to think about death and life, humility and arrogance. Stitching became the “red stuff” that moved me back into the world of the living.

The Red Heifer illumination is part of Torah Stitch by Stitch, an international cross stitch collaboration launched in June 2013 by textile artist Temma Gentles.

More than 1,400 stitchers from 28 countries have cross stitched over 1,400 text panels – some with accompanying illuminations – to make an entire Torah. When complete, it will stand seven feet high and about 100 yards long.