The Museum of San Marco offered those on our phenomenal trip to Florence a unique glimpse into the lives of the friars living in the Dominican Monestary. In particular, we were able to explore the individual cells of the novices and friars and bear whitness to the magnificent frescos by Fra Angelico, which depict scenes from the life of Jesus. While there were many standard themes, such as Mary and Child and the Crucifixion, I was struck by one work showing Jesus preaching to his followers. It occured to me that this was the only time in ten days that I saw a painting offering details of the life of Jesus. After all, Mary and Child, while showing the miraculous nature of his birth, is simply a view of Jesus as an unaccomplished child. The crucifixion shows him as a tragic figure, helplessly suffering. Never was there a scene showing how he inspired others, or why he was deserving of a following-a far more riveting subject in my opinion. I was struck by the focus on death and tradgedy in Christian art and wondered why the only glimpse of life was captured in a cell where one single man once meditated. I could sense a deep contrast with my own religion, which I believe celebrates life as opposed to focussing on tradgedy. When I visited Poland to see the place where 6 million of my people perished, our guides were sure to show us not only the death camps but also the synagogues and centers of learning, to appreciate the lives that were lived, not only the tragic circumstances in which they perished.
Our trip was one of the most enlightening experiences of my life. I am grateful to have had this opportunity and have returned home a changed person, touched by the things I have seen.
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