This dimension represents the power of tshuva (return) through the rectification of sight. Transgressions create veils between ourselves and our perceptions of G-d's Unity, thus blurring our vision. However, the process of elevating a negative action enables one to reach an even deeper state of insight than the primal state of clear perception. Thus the initial light of the Garden of Eden in which Adam and Hava basked, the awesome light, the light of ecstasy, joy and union is replaced by an even deeper vision of Unity that encompasses the paradox of separateness, multiplicity and unity.

Reuven, (the root of which means "sight") the progenitor of the tribe of this dimension, was renown for his tshuva. Although he was gifted with insightfulness, his emotions caused him to overstep his boundaries as Yaakov's son and interfere with this father's household. because of his ability to admit his mistake and take responsibility for his actions, he was able to do tshuva - to take a negative action, a transgression and elevate it to the point where he could gain the power of insight to go beyond the fragmentation and see a deeper truth. We learn in retrospect, only in retrospect, that the transgression itself was a vehicle for bringing one close to G-d. In the process one acquires a personal wisdom, like a direct whisper from G-d, whose value exceeds all teachings.

"Tammuz", the name of this month, means "ignites" and appropriately it is the hottest month of the year. The permutation of G-d's four lettered name is completely inverted, signifying judgment. At the time of transgression, one's reality is completely inverted because the heat of the emotions is so powerful. What one has held as being truth becomes completely turned upside down and all that once seemed false takes on the light of truth. Once Reuven was alerted and saw the truth, he had the ability to shift his stance according to his new vision.

As I was painting this dimension, the beautiful symmetry of paradox began to unfold. What is visually available to us of Reuven's territory which lies in Jordan across the Dead Sea is composed of reflections of the landscape in the sea. This provides a background fur juxtaposing the inverted permutation of G-d's name. Through painting this reflection, it was revealed that the inverted name is just a reflection of the correct order. What is available to us of Reuven's land speaks to us of the paradox of transgressions, of truth and lies of all opposites being a mere reflecion of each other. Together they create a greater whole, a more beautiful symmetry.

The letter chet, which is the letter through which this month was created means transgression. However it is also the first letter of "chaim" - life. That which is disruptive of life becomes the very pulse of life itself. So too, we see that the first place that the letter chet appears in the Torah is in the word "chosheck" - darkness, where the deepest light is contained.

Because this month in history was a very dark time for the Jewish people (the tablets inscribed with the Ten Commandments were broken and the walls of Jerusalem were set ablaze) it contains within it the power of tshuva through rectification of our vision (light). This process involves deepening our relationship to reality by perceiving a dimension beyond the paradoxes. Again we find that the letter chet resembles a gate through which one may pass in order to perceive a new realm of reality - where the vision begins to shift allowing one to change his or her stance. This dimension is a clearer window through which we may glimpse the ecstatic light of G-d's Unity that is available to the baal tshuva (master of return), silently waiting to be unveiled.