Jewish communities around the world have long believed that beauty has the power to enhance ritual practice. According to the principle of Hiddur Mitzvah (Hebrew for “beautification of the commandment”), aesthetics are essential to all aspects of religious life. Especially in ceremonial objects, the quality of materials, harmony of forms, and richness of textures can appeal to the senses and deepen one’s immersion in spiritual customs.

Join Simona Di Nepi, Charles and Lynn Schusterman Curator of Judaica, as she explores works from the MFA’s Judaica collection—most of which are new acquisitions on view for the first time in “Intentional Beauty: Jewish Ritual Art from the Collection.”