A special program with Rouhama Danto:

Michelangelo lived in Florence most of his life. He lost his mother at the age of six, but already then, against his father’s plans, he knew that he wants to be an artist. He was born into a Catholic family and grew up nurtured in the practice of the Christian faith. So, “Jewish Symbols and Messages”? Where does this come from?

During the time Michelangelo grew up in Florence, educated Catholic Florentines studied Hebrew, Torah and Talmud. In addition to this, Catholic Florentines studied the mystical Kabbalah, and their theologians were strongly attached to Judaism, mysticism and Hebrew as a vehicle of values that they considered to be extremely important. One of Michelangelo’s mentors was Count Pico, who owned the largest Judaic library of any Gentile in Europe. They both shared a deep interest in Jewish mysticism. Now, what is it in the Kabbalah which fascinated Michelangelo so much that he demonstrated it in the hidden messages on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel? Come to this presentation and you will find out.