The Shadow of a Flying Bird - Hardcover

Gerstein, Mordicai

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 078680016X ISBN 13: 9780786800162

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 1994

Synopsis

Moses, at the end of his life, refuses to give up his soul to God, who is forced to take it himself with a single kiss.

About this title

From School Library Journal

Grade 2 Up-When God tells Moses that his time on earth has ended, Moses protests that his 120 years "'seem like one short day.'" God answers that even the longest span speeds by. But Moses does not accept death until the very mountains, the sun, and the stars assure him that their time too will come. Then Moses submits, and God Himself descends to take his soul. Now He also weeps, saying "'Who will oppose evildoers? Who will speak for me and love me as Moses did? And whom will I love as well?'" Then the angels and souls in heaven comfort Him, asserting that "'in death as in life, Moses is yours.'" This moving and brilliant example of midrash combines the universal experience of revulsion at mortality, and the healing moment of acceptance, with a sense of the greatness of a Western culture-hero, Moses, and the Jewish tradition of intimate yet respectful relations with God. The oil on vellum illustrations, dominated by shades of blue and amber, recall the naivete of medieval manuscripts, but also convey both the transcendence of God and His immanence, as He touches the earth and even Moses's lips. It would be a pity if this simple but profound book, richer than Gerstein's The Mountains of Tibet (HarperCollins, 1987), sat ignored on the religion shelf. Its wisdom and beauty lift it far above the sectarian.
Patricia Dooley (Green), St. George's School, Newport, RI
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

Gerstein (The Story of May, 1993, etc.) explains that this tale of Moses's surpassingly reluctant and argumentative passage into heaven is from a midrash (``a text using biblical legends to teach a moral lesson'') and that his source was a translation from a 500-year-old Kurdistani manuscript. As his people are about to enter the Promised Land, God summons Moses's soul. Moses objects (``Why now?...My hundred and twenty years seem like one short day'') but is finally convinced that nobody lives forever. Then the angels demur: How can they take the soul of God's greatest prophet? Only the Angel of Death is willing, and he is so evil that a wrathful Moses drives him away. Finally, God himself takes the soul and then weeps (``Whom will I love as well?''). He is comforted by all the ``blissful souls'' in heaven: ``His soul will be with you forever and always.'' Gerstein surpasses himself in glorious paintings of shadowy blues, rusty flame, and luminous light hues. His angels recall both ancient Middle Eastern sculpture and Chagall's aerial musicians, while God's presence is rendered in stars, clouds, and pure light. Lyrical, comic, cosmic, and deeply touching. (Folklore/Picture book. 4+) -- Copyright ©1994, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Edition details

• Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
• Publication date: 1994
• ISBN 10: 078680016X
• ISBN 13: 9780786800162
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Gerstein Mordicai