Simchat Torah Flag, published by G. Gutman, Kaunas, Lithuania, in the first half of the 20th century
Description:
The upper section of the flag depicts two lions facing each other, along with the inscription: "Degel Machane Yehudah." To the right and left are Moshe and Aharon. Prayer-shawled supplicants holding Torah scrolls and flags are underneath. Inscriptions related to Simchat Torah are on the left side of the flag: "Aharon samach b'Simchat Torah;" "Sisu v'simchu b'Simchat Torah;" "Moshe alah le'marom v'kibel et haTorah;" and "Moshe samach b'Simchat Torah," as well as a drawing of a lion and stag with the corresponding inscriptions: "HaGibor k'arieh," and "Ratz k'tzvi." A decorative window which may be opened is at the flag's center, containing a drawing of two Torah scrolls inside.
Verses recited at the Petichat HaHeichal on Simchat Torah ("Ata horeita ladaat" etc.) are printed on the reverse side.
Source(s):
.- Warsaw, ca. 1930. Publisher: A. M. Einstein. Paper, colored inks, cut, offset, 23.5 x 33.4 cm. Gross Family Collection Trust, Tel Aviv, Israel. Photo: Ardon Bar-Hama
Bibliography:
.- Behroozi Bar Oz, Nitza, ed. The Flags of Simchat Torah: From Popular Jewish Art to Hebrew Israeli Culture. Tel Aviv: Eretz Israel Museum, 2012.
.- Sabar, Shalom. “The History of the Simchat Torah Flag from the Ritual Object to National Symbol and Back,” The Flags of Simchat Torah from Popular Jewish Art to Hebrew Israeli Culture Exhibition. Tel Aviv: Eretz Israel Museum, 2012, pp. 8-27, 26e-34e.
.- Sabar, Shalom. “Jewish Folk Art and Ideology: The Simhat Torah Flag through the Ages.” Swimming Against the Current – Reimagining Jewish Tradition in the Twenty-First Century: Essays in Honor of Rabbi Chaim Seidler-Feller, ed. Shaul Seidler-Feller and David N. Myers, Boston: Academic Studies Press, 2020, pp. 319-56.