Tradition
What Is a Mizrach?
The wall that faces Jerusalem — and the art that marks it.
Mizrach (מזרח) is the Hebrew word for "east" — and in Jewish life it means far more than a compass direction. For Jews living west of the Land of Israel, east is the direction of Jerusalem: the direction of prayer, of longing, and of home. A mizrach is also the name of the decorated plaque or artwork traditionally hung on the eastern wall of a Jewish home to mark that direction.
Why east?
The tradition is ancient. The Talmud (Berakhot 30a) teaches that wherever a Jew stands in prayer, they should turn toward the Land of Israel; within Israel, toward Jerusalem; and in Jerusalem, toward the site of the Temple itself. King Solomon says it even earlier, at the Temple's dedication: those far away will "pray to You by way of their land" (I Kings 8:48). For the communities of Europe and the Americas — nearly all of them west of Jerusalem — that direction is east. Three thousand years later, it still is.
Generations gave the word a second layer: the letters of מזרח were read as an acronym for mi-tzad zeh ru'ach chayim— "from this side comes the breath of life."
What goes on a mizrach wall?
Historically, anything beautiful enough to carry the word: intricate papercuts, micrography, illuminated manuscripts with the word מזרח at the center. But the custom was never about one specific object — it is about marking the eastern wall with something that turns your eyes, and your heart, toward Jerusalem. That's why paintings of Jerusalem and the Land of Israel have always been the most beloved choice: the art itself is the direction.
Where exactly to hang it
- The eastern wall of the room where you spend your time — living room, study, or dining room.
- At eye level — the center of the artwork around 57–60 inches from the floor, where the eye naturally rests.
- Visible from where you sit. A mizrach is a daily companion, not a hallway afterthought.
- Not sure which wall faces east? Your phone's compass app settles it in five seconds.
Choosing art that carries the weight
A mizrach earns its wall when the art means something. Original paintings of Jerusalem — the Western Wall, the Tower of David, the city at night — are the classic choice. Scenes of the Land itself or of the Tanakh carry the same pull. Size matters too: this is the focal point of the room, so err larger — our sizing guide makes it simple.
Every Mizrach piece is an original digital painting of Jerusalem, Israel and the Tanakh — created to be exactly this: the art you face toward home.