Guide
The Sanctity of the Early Synagogue in the Shadow of the Temple
1st–6th Centuries
Restricted
By Carol Bakhos
God’s presence was thought to reside in the First Temple, although it was considered absent from the Second Temple. Many of these texts, however, echo restrictions governing the Temple grounds in their regulation of synagogue space, suggesting that their authors viewed God as residing in the synagogue. John Chrysostom, the fourth-century church father of Antioch, railed against Christian synagogue attendance; the passage included below illustrates that the synagogue included Torah scrolls and the books of the prophets.
Related Primary Sources
Primary Source
A Synagogue Is Polluted
The Jewish War 2.289
The next day was a Sabbath, and the Jews assembling at the synagogue found one of the local opposition sacrificing birds on an upturned pot beside the entrance. The Jews were enraged at what they saw…
Primary Source
How to Show Respect for a Synagogue
t. Megillah 2:18
[With respect to] synagogues, [we] do not treat them with irreverence: One should not enter them in the heat because of the heat, nor in the cold because of the cold, nor in the rain because of the…
Primary Source
Selling a Synagogue
m. Megillah 3:1–3
1. Townspeople who sold the town square may buy a synagogue with the proceeds. [If they sold] a synagogue, they may buy an ark with the proceeds. [If they sold] an ark, they may buy covers [for…
Primary Source
The Palestinian Talmud on Proper Use of a Synagogue
y. Megillah 3:4, 74a
Samuel said: If he entered without intending to use it as a shortcut, he may use it as a shortcut. It was stated: One may not behave unbecomingly in synagogues and houses of study. One neither eats…
Primary Source
Against Christian Reverence for Synagogues
Discourses against Judaizing Christians 1.5
But since there are some who consider the synagogue to be a holy place, we must say a few things to them as well. Why do you reverence this place when you should disdain it, despise it and avoid it?…
Primary Source
The Babylonian Talmud on Proper Use of a Synagogue
b. Megillah 26b, 28b, 29a
Rami bar Abba was [once] building a synagogue. There was a certain old synagogue [that] he wished to demolish, and bring bricks and beams…