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Deir Aziz synagogue

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Coordinates: 32°51′51″N 35°42′46″E / 32.86417°N 35.71278°E / 32.86417; 35.71278
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Deir Aziz synagogue
The ancient former synagogue in 2018
Religion
AffiliationJudaism (former)
Ecclesiastical or organisational status
StatusRuins
Location
LocationDeir Aziz, Golan Heights
CountryIsrael
Deir Aziz synagogue is located in the Golan Heights
Deir Aziz synagogue
Location of the ancient former synagogue in the Golan Heights
Geographic coordinates32°51′51″N 35°42′46″E / 32.86417°N 35.71278°E / 32.86417; 35.71278
Architecture
TypeBasilica

The Deir Aziz synagogue is an ancient synagogue dating from the Mishnaic and Talmudic periods, located at the archeological site of Deir Aziz, in the southern Golan Heights, Israel.[1][2]

History

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The synagogue is located near the ruins of Deir Aziz, the site of an ancient Jewish settlement, on which the Syrian village later existed. The remains of this synagogue, one of two public buildings found at the site, were initially uncovered by Lawrence Oliphant in the late 19th century. Following the 1967 Six-Day War, the site was included in a survey conducted on the Golan Heights.[3] In the 21st century, the synagogue underwent excavation and subsequent restoration efforts.[1][4][5]

Archeology

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In 1998, an excavation expedition was organized on behalf of the Department of Land of Israel Studies and Archeology at Bar-Ilan University and Kinneret College led by Haim Ben David, Zvi Uri Maoz and Oren Zingboim. Excavations were carried out at the site until 2004.[1] The excavations revealed a rectangular hall (basilica) measuring 11 by 18 m (36 by 59 ft), with a pile of ashlar stones, which may originate from the synagogue that was destroyed in the 749 CE earthquake.[2] Under the floor of the hall, hundreds of coins were found, the latest of which date from the time of Justinian I, emperor of the Byzantine Empire (second quarter of the 6th century AD).[2] In the southern wall of the hall there is a prominent niche for the Torah ark.[4] Further more a Menorah and an Atarah (Hebrew word meaning "crown") were found engraved on a stone.[4]

One of the synagogue's windows bears a Greek inscription, ΑΖΙΖΟ, suggesting a connection between the Arab name of the ruin, Deir Aziz, and the original name of the ancient Talmudic village.[6]

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  • View of the synagogue
    View of the synagogue
  • Greek inscription of the name: ΑΖΙΖΟ, possibly indicating "Aziz", related to the original name of the Talmudic settlement[1]
    Greek inscription of the name: ΑΖΙΖΟ, possibly indicating "Aziz", related to the original name of the Talmudic settlement[1]
  • Niche for the Torah Ark in the synagogue
    Niche for the Torah Ark in the synagogue

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d "גיליון 123 לשנת 2011דיר עזיז". www.hadashot-esi.org.il (in Hebrew). Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c "אתר הסקר הארכיאולוגי של ישראל". survey.antiquities.org.il (in Hebrew). Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  3. ^ "יהודה, שומרון וגולן : סקר ארכיאולוגי בשנת תשכ"ח / מאת קליר אפשטיין, פ' בר-אדון, ש' גוטמן [ועוד] ; העורך – משה כוכבי | Kochavi, Moshe | Kochavi, Moshe ;Bar-Adon, Pesah, 1907–1985;אפשטין, קלר, 1911–2000 ;ha-Agudah le-seḳer arkheʼologi shel Yiśraʼel | הספרייה הלאומית". www.nli.org.il (in Hebrew). Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c Tepper, Y. (2021), "A Seven-Branched Menorah and Crown(?) on a Lintel from Khirbat Deir ʻAzziz", New Studies in the Archaeology of Northern Israel (in Hebrew), Jerusalem: Israel Antiquities Authority, pp. 93–104, ISBN 978-965-406-727-0
  5. ^ חיים בן דוד ואורן זינגבוים (November 10, 2014). "גיליון 126 לשנת 2014אום אל-קנטיר, שטח A – המעיין" [um al-Kanatir, Area A – The Spring]. www.hadashot-esi.org.il (in Hebrew). Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  6. ^ "מראי מקום". יד יצחק בן־צבי (in Hebrew). Retrieved April 3, 2024.
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Media related to Deir Aziz Ancient synagogue at Wikimedia Commons

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