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…
Primary Source
The Synagogue as a Substitute for the Temple
Midrash on Deuteronomy from the Cairo Geniza
As long as the Temple existed, the daily offerings and sacrifices would atone for the sins of Israel. Nowadays, the synagogues of Israel replace the Temple, and as long as Israel prays in them, they…
Primary Source
Treating the Synagogue as Part of the Temple
m. Ta‘anit 2:5
It happened in the days of R. Ḥalafta and R. Ḥananiah ben Teradyon that a man passed before the ark [as shaliaḥ tsibur] and completed the entire benediction, and they did not respond, “Amen.” [The ḥaz…
Primary Source
Synagogue Construction
t. Megillah 3:22–23
22. We make entrances to synagogues only to the east, for we find that the sanctuary opened to the east, as it is stated: And those who were to pitch before the Tabernacle eastward, before the Tent of…
Primary Source
Synagogue Adornment
Mekhilta de-Rabbi Ishmael, Baḥodesh 10
You Shall Not Make for Yourselves (Exodus 20:20). Lest you say: Since the Torah has given permission to make the cherubim in the Temple, I am also going to make them in the synagogues and in the…
Primary Source
Sanctifying Objects for Use in the Synagogue
t. Megillah 2:14, 16
14. One who makes a candelabrum or a lamp for a synagogue: until the name of the owners has been forgotten from them, it is not permitted to change them for another purpose; once the name of the…
Primary Source
Prayer Is like Sacrifice
y. Berakhot 5:1, 8d
R. Phineas in the name of R. Hoshaiah: He who prays in the synagogue is as if he had sacrificed a pure flour offering. What is the reason? As the children of Israel bring flour offering in a pure…
Primary Source
Prohibition on Building a Synagogue as a Model of the Temple
b. Rosh Hashanah 24a–b
As it is taught [in a baraita]: A person [may] not construct a house [in the exact] form of the Sanctuary, [nor] a portico in [the exact] form of the Entrance Hall [of the Sanctuary, nor] a courtyard…
Primary Source
Aramaic Inscription from Ḥammat Tiberias, Lower Galilee
May peace be upon anyone who has offered charity in this holy place and anyone who will offer charity may he be blessed. Amen, Amen, Selah, and for myself Amen.
Primary Source
Aramaic Inscription from Na‘aran, Jordan Valley
Remembered for good Ḥalifu, daughter of Rabbi Safrah, who supported this holy place. Amen.
Primary Source
Greek Inscription from Gaza
Menaḥem and Yeshua, sons of the late Isai/Issi, wood merchants, as a sign of thanks for the most holy place, this mosaic [we] have donated in the month of Loos [July–August], 569 [of the era of Gaza =…