Abuhav synagogue
The Abuhav Synagogue is a 15th-century synagogue in Safed, Israel, named after 15th-century Spanish rabbi and kabbalist, Isaac Abuhav. Its design is said to be based upon kabbalistic teachings.
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History
According 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]
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 Solomon Ohana of Fes, Morocco.
- Abuhav synagogue in Safed
See also
References
- Grishaver, Josh Barkin & Lurie, Joel. Artzeinu: An Israel Encounter, Torah Aura Productions, July 1, 2008. p. 133.
- Andrew Humphreys; Neil Tilbury (30 November 1996). Israel and the Palestinian territories. Lonely Planet Publications. p. 284. ISBN 978-0-86442-399-3. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
- "The Abuhav Synagogue", Jewish Virtual Library.
- Linda Kay Davidson; David Martin Gitlitz (1 November 2002). Pilgrimage: from the Ganges to Graceland : an encyclopedia. ABC-CLIO. p. 549. ISBN 978-1-57607-004-8. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
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