A visit to artisan jeweler David Baruch in his home in Biriya, a village overlooking Tzfas
This jewelry craft is more than a family inheritance — for David Baruch it’s about releasing the holy energy embedded in precious metals and sublime shapes. Photos: Menachem Kalish
Artisan jeweler David Baruch wrapped in his trademark ruby red tallis is sitting serenely beside the simple patio set in the sprawling garden of his three-story home in Biriya a village overlooking Tzfas. The garden reflects David’s life and personality — a profusion of flowers and trees grow freely everywhere you look all contained in a succah frame that acts as a trellis. In one corner a large trampoline stands ready to welcome David’s four children while an eclectic collection of bikes and trikes are leaning against the large acacia tree by the entrance.
Nearby David’s workshop is a small deceptively simple room secured with a heavy padlock to guard its valuable contents. Inside spread across every surface is a bewildering array of tools machines and partly finished pieces of jewelry. On the wall directly in front of the desk where David works are hung the Name of Hashem and various kabbalistic diagrams of the sefiros on which David concentrates while producing his jewelry. In one corner stands a beautiful antique-style filigree silver leichter set with ten menorahs at different heights which David explains are in the form of the ten sefiros.
It is the studio of an artist deeply engaged in serving his Creator who uses that spirit and passion to create beautiful work. But David Baruch didn’t start his life thinking he’d end up in a small workshop outside Tzfas wrapped in a red tallis creating jewelry with kabbalistic overtones. But Hashgachah brought him to his true calling.
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