Museum of Psalms
A Unique Museum in the Old City
The Museum of Psalms is a one of kind museum located at the center of the Old City. Ever since the museum opened in 1995, it has been moving forward with a strong mission and a clear vision: to satisfy the growing demand for spiritually inspired art.
The main exhibit displays a collection of 150 paintings based on the Book of Psalms. Each painting portrays one specific psalm at a time (according to the Jewish tradition, the Book of Psalms consists of 150 individual psalms). The artist Moshe Tzvi Halevi Berger painted the series over a period of 15 years. The palette used by Berger consists of only the seven rainbow colors, combining together art and spirituality. The colors represent different virtues of the soul, painted with rich and astonishingly beautiful imagery. Every brushstroke is felt, and the complex and original method of painting immediately captures the eye of the observer. Berger’s works are displayed with annotations in a variety of languages that interpret and provide extra information about each painting. Each remark is composed as a song to enrich the spiritual world of the observer.
Moreover, the museum displays another collection of the artist and that is the Sun series. The Sun series comprises 42 paintings that illustrate the Kabbalistic ideas of light, meditation and healing, through various permutations of the motif of the sun. Another truly inspiring exhibit is the Tree of Life series. The artist teaches us about the tree of life which was located next to the tree of knowledge in the Garden of Eden. Besides being artistically extraordinary, these works manage to create not just a visual experience, but rather a spiritual one. These paintings have deep emotional influence on people and they are known to create change, inspire and heal many people of all ages, faiths and religions.
You can find some of Berger’s paintings at the museum’s store. You can also find prints of his selected works and the works of new and young Jewish Art artists. There are also Judaica products, primarily silver sterling at very convenient prices.
About Moshe Ztvi Halevi Berger
Berger was born in 1924 in Transylvania. He acquired his painting skills in Paris and Rome, where he learned from the very best. Being a holocaust survivor, Berger represents the essence of mental strength. His faith has reached a very high level when he first opened the Museum of Psalms with the blessing of Rabbi Meir Yehuda Getz, who served as the Rabbi of the Western Wall.
TripAdvisor Reviews
Based on 12 traveler reviews
A rare find we stumbled upon in The Jewish Quarter in the Old City. There was a corresponding original painting to match each of the 189 psalms. There were paintings that did not deal with psalms but had deep meaning. The gentleman that runs the Museum is so very knowledgeable about each piece...
MoreA rare find we stumbled upon in The Jewish Quarter in the Old City. There was a corresponding original painting to match each of the 189 psalms. There were paintings that did not deal with psalms but had deep meaning. The gentleman that runs the Museum is so very knowledgeable about each piece and he devotes so much time to each person. His kindness and patience with me was impressive. On our first visit, we knew we wanted to purchase a signed and numbered lithograph or a signed painting. We went back the next day to read the psalms and talk to the curator. We found the perfect psalm about creation and the painting was perfect. We choose a larger size for us. We purchased a tree of life for our daughter. There are sizes and prices fire everyone. We thought the prices were very good, especially when you buy more than one. This is something that is unique and a great memory from Israel.
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Waking past I came into this store/ museum. Bright and full of committees, the paintings on display are by Rabbi Herbert who has since passed. To have the psalms pour into canvas takes on a different meaning. Walk in to be blessed a bit more than usual. Of course charming Mordecai is an added...
MoreWaking past I came into this store/ museum. Bright and full of committees, the paintings on display are by Rabbi Herbert who has since passed. To have the psalms pour into canvas takes on a different meaning. Walk in to be blessed a bit more than usual. Of course charming Mordecai is an added bonus!
LessMy daughter and I planned to visit the Psalm Museum, during the planning stage of our trip. We were familiar with the work of the amazing artist...Rav Berg...May he Rest in peace. Despite seeing the art work in a book, we were not prepared to see the beauty, the radiance, and pure spirituality...
MoreMy daughter and I planned to visit the Psalm Museum, during the planning stage of our trip. We were familiar with the work of the amazing artist...Rav Berg...May he Rest in peace. Despite seeing the art work in a book, we were not prepared to see the beauty, the radiance, and pure spirituality that exuded from the original paintings. It is something beyond special to see. Don't miss it. Mordechai Belgah, runs the Psalm Museum. He is extremely knowledgeable about the spiritual meaning of the paintings. He is a pleasure to meet, he is patient and very helpful. The lithographs are absolutely beautiful. I bought two. Please go and enjoy!
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