Blech/Doliner: The Sistine Secrets (2008)

The (New York) Jewish Week had a book review on “The Sistine Secrets: Michelangelo’s Forbidden Messages in the Heart of the Vatican,” written by Rabbi Benjamin Blech and Roy Doliner, a docent and guide at the Vatican. Here are some excerpts that caught my attention

The book claims that there was Jewish influence in Michelangelo’s painting, particularly from the Kabbalah or mystical aspect of Judaism. …The authors also point out that a little-noticed aspect of the Sistine Chapel is that Stars of David — then called Seals of Solomon — adorn the floor of the chapel. In addition, they noted that the Sistine Chapel is built to the exact dimensions of the original Temple in Jerusalem — including the Holy of Holies that only the high priests were allowed to enter on Yom Kippur.

And the preface partially reads,

Driven by the truths he had come to recognize during his years of study in private nontraditional schooling in Florence, truths rooted in his involvement with Judaic texts as well as Kabbalistic training that conflicted with approved Christian doctrine, Michelangelo needed to find a way to let viewers discern what he truly believed. He could not allow the Church to forever silence his soul. And what the Church would not permit him to communicate openly, he ingeniously found a way to convey to those diligent enough to learn his secret language.

4 Responses

  1. Gabor Por says:

    Telegraph article on the book.

  2. Gabor Por says:

    The LA times also reviewed the book.

  3. Gabor Por says:

    Wall Street Journal article/interview

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