Peki'in Synagogue
Encyclopedia
The Peki’in Synagogue, located in the centre of Peki'in
, Northern Israel
, is said to have built into its walls two stones taken from the walls of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. The current structure dates from 1873 and is said to have been built on a site of an ancient synagogue dating from the era of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, around the 3rd-4th century CE
.
Funding for the construction, attested to on a plaque commemorating the donation, was given by a Jew named Rafael Halevy from Beirut
. According to local tradition the synagogue was built on the site of the Beth midrash
of Rabbi Joshua ben Hananiah
who lived during the 2nd century .
In 1926 and 1930 two old stone tablets dating from the Second Temple
period were uncovered at the synagogue. One depicts a menorah, shofar
and lulav
and the second depicts a gateway with columns on each side, probably symbolising the gateway to the Holy of Holies
.
In 1955 the Israeli Ministry of Religious Affairs
renovated the building at the request of president
Yitzhak Ben-Zvi
who researched the Jewish settlement in Peki’in in his book Shaar Yashuv. To this end the 100 NIS
banknote which features Yitzhak Ben-Zvi, also features the Peki’in synagogue on the reverse side.
The synagogue is locked but can be visited with prior coordination with Margalit Zinati, who lives opposite the building. Margalit Zinati is a member of an ancient Jewish family who have lived for centuries in Peki’in, reputedly since the time of the Second Temple
2,000 years ago.
Peki'in
Peki'in or Buqei'a , is a locality, local council in the Northern District of Israel located eight kilometres east of Ma'alot-Tarshiha in the Upper Galilee...
, Northern Israel
North District (Israel)
The Northern District is one of Israel's six administrative districts. The Northern District has a land area of 4,478 km², which increases to 4,638 km² when both land and water are included...
, is said to have built into its walls two stones taken from the walls of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. The current structure dates from 1873 and is said to have been built on a site of an ancient synagogue dating from the era of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, around the 3rd-4th century CE
Common Era
Common Era ,abbreviated as CE, is an alternative designation for the calendar era originally introduced by Dionysius Exiguus in the 6th century, traditionally identified with Anno Domini .Dates before the year 1 CE are indicated by the usage of BCE, short for Before the Common Era Common Era...
.
Beirut
Beirut is the capital and largest city of Lebanon, with a population ranging from 1 million to more than 2 million . Located on a peninsula at the midpoint of Lebanon's Mediterranean coastline, it serves as the country's largest and main seaport, and also forms the Beirut Metropolitan...
. According to local tradition the synagogue was built on the site of the Beth midrash
Beth midrash
Beth Midrash refers to a study hall, whether in a synagogue, yeshiva, kollel, or other building. It is distinct from a synagogue, although many synagogues are also used as batei midrash and vice versa....
of Rabbi Joshua ben Hananiah
Joshua ben Hananiah
Joshua ben Hananiah was a leading tanna of the first half-century following the destruction of the Temple. He was of Levitical descent , and served in the sanctuary as a member of the class of singers . His mother intended him for a life of study, and, as an older contemporary, Dosa b. Harkinas,...
who lived during the 2nd century .
In 1926 and 1930 two old stone tablets dating from the Second Temple
Second Temple
The Jewish Second Temple was an important shrine which stood on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem between 516 BCE and 70 CE. It replaced the First Temple which was destroyed in 586 BCE, when the Jewish nation was exiled to Babylon...
period were uncovered at the synagogue. One depicts a menorah, shofar
Shofar
A shofar is a horn, traditionally that of a ram, used for Jewish religious purposes. Shofar-blowing is incorporated in synagogue services on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.Shofar come in a variety of sizes.- Bible and rabbinic literature :...
and lulav
Lulav
The Lulav is a closed frond of the date palm tree. It is one of the arba'ah minim used in the morning prayer services during the Jewish holiday of Sukkot...
and the second depicts a gateway with columns on each side, probably symbolising the gateway to the Holy of Holies
Holy of Holies
The Holy of Holies is a term in the Hebrew Bible which refers to the inner sanctuary of the Tabernacle and later the Temple in Jerusalem where the Ark of the Covenant was kept during the First Temple, which could be entered only by the High Priest on Yom Kippur...
.
In 1955 the Israeli Ministry of Religious Affairs
Ministry of Religious Services
The Ministry of Religious Services -Religious Services Minister:The Religious Services Minister of Israel is the political head of the Ministry of Religious Services and a relatively minor position in the Israeli cabinet...
renovated the building at the request of president
President of Israel
The President of the State of Israel is the head of state of Israel. The position is largely an apolitical ceremonial figurehead role, with the real executive power lying in the hands of the Prime Minister. The current president is Shimon Peres who took office on 15 July 2007...
Yitzhak Ben-Zvi
Yitzhak Ben-Zvi
Yitzhak Ben-Zvi was a historian, Labor Zionist leader, the second and longest-serving President of Israel.-Biography:...
who researched the Jewish settlement in Peki’in in his book Shaar Yashuv. To this end the 100 NIS
Israeli new sheqel
The Israeli New Shekel is the currency of the State of Israel. The shekel is divided into 100 agorot...
banknote which features Yitzhak Ben-Zvi, also features the Peki’in synagogue on the reverse side.
The synagogue is locked but can be visited with prior coordination with Margalit Zinati, who lives opposite the building. Margalit Zinati is a member of an ancient Jewish family who have lived for centuries in Peki’in, reputedly since the time of the Second Temple
Second Temple
The Jewish Second Temple was an important shrine which stood on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem between 516 BCE and 70 CE. It replaced the First Temple which was destroyed in 586 BCE, when the Jewish nation was exiled to Babylon...
2,000 years ago.