The Abuhav Synagogue (Hebrew: בית הכנסת אבוהב) is a Jewish congregation and synagogue, located in Safed, in the Northern Director of Israel. The synagogue was completed in the 15th-century century and named in honor of the Spanish kabbalist of the era, Rabbi Isaac Abuhav. Its design is said to be based upon Kabbalah teachings.
| Abuhav Synagogue | |
|---|---|
Hebrew: בית הכנסת אבוהב | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Judaism |
| Rite | |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | Abuhav Lane, Safed, Northern District |
| Country | Israel |
Location of the synagogue in the northeast of the Northern District | |
| Geographic coordinates | 32°58′8.62″N 35°29′29.02″E / 32.9690611°N 35.4913944°E |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Synagogue architecture |
| Founder | Rabbi Isaac Abuhav |
| Completed | 15th century |
History
editAccording to tradition Rabbi Abuhav designed the synagogue and his disciples erected the building in Safed when they arrived in the 1490s after the expulsion from Spain.[1][2][3] Another legend claims that the synagogue was transported miraculously from Spain to Safed.[4] The synagogue was almost completely destroyed in the 1837 earthquake, only the southern wall containing the arks remained standing and exists today as a remnant of the original building.[3][5]
The bimah has six steps representing the six working days of the week; the top level is seventh, representing the Shabbat. The Holy Ark has three sections and contain Torah scrolls traditionally written by Abuhav himself and Rabbi Suleiman Ohana of Fes, Morocco.[6]
Gallery
editSee also
editReferences
edit- ^ Grishaver, Josh Barkin; Lurie, Joel (July 1, 2008). Artzeinu: An Israel Encounter. Torah Aura Productions. p. 133.
- ^ Humphreys, Andrew; Tilbury, Neil (November 30, 1996). Israel and the Palestinian territories. Lonely Planet Publications. p. 284. ISBN 978-0-86442-399-3. Retrieved December 29, 2011 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b "The Abuhav Synagogue". Jewish Virtual Library.
- ^ Davidson, Linda Kay; Gitlitz, David Martin (November 1, 2002). Pilgrimage: from the Ganges to Graceland: an encyclopedia. ABC-CLIO. p. 549. ISBN 978-1-57607-004-8. Retrieved December 29, 2011 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Abuhav Synagogue". Time Out Israel. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
- ^ "The Abuhav Shul". Ascent of Safed. n.d. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
External links
edit Media related to Abuhav synagogue at Wikimedia Commons
- Rappeport, Laurie (2018). Self guided tour Abuhav synagogue of Safed (streaming video). YouTube. Retrieved September 20, 2024.