"The will of those who fear Him He will do; and their cry He will hear and save them." (Psalm 145:19)

The twentieth letter, reish, has a bent shape like that of a tzadhe, also bowed in repentance to G-d. The reason one might ask for forgiveness is to repent for sinful behavior. The title "rasha," implying a "wicked person," begins with a reish.

However, the repentant pose of the reish shows that even a rasha can return to G-d. When a person completely repents, they become a "rosh," a leader as opposed to a follower.

The prayer said at the Rosh Hashanah meal is for a blessing to act as the "head" and not as the "tail" in the coming year - the wisdom to lead in righteous actions, and not follow others in poor behavior.

This painting is featured in the hardcover art book entitled "Hebrew Illuminations" written by Adam Rhine and Louise Temple.