For the Byzantine-period synagogue in Jericho, see Jericho synagogue.
The Wadi Qelt Synagogue is the name given by some to a building controversially identified by its excavator, archaeologist Ehud Netzer, as a Hasmonean-period synagogue. It is part of the royal winter palace complex built by the Hasmoneans in the warm desert oasis of Jericho, west of the town proper. It dates from between 70 and 50 BCE, and if it did indeed serve as a synagogue, it would be one of the oldest synagogues ever found.[1][2][3]
ruin; entire site under constant degradation since excavation
The synagogue was discovered during a dig led by Ehud Netzer.[2]
The synagogue was a modest building of stone and sun-baked brick. It included a ritual bath and a small courtyard surrounded by seven or eight rooms with a rectangular main hall measuring 53 by 37 feet. The hall was bordered by a colonnade, the platform of which was nearly two feet above the floor of the nave. This provided seating for nearly 70 people. In the northeastern corner, Netzer found a niche that may have served as a Torah Ark. A lower compartment, mostly intact, is thought to have possibly functioned as a genizah or storage compartment where old or unused scrolls were stored. Adjacent to the western side of the main hall was a triclinium, or dining hall, where public meals could be held, and a small, triangular space that may have been used as a kitchen. The triclinium was added some years after the main hall was built. Diners reclined, Roman style, on benches against three walls of the chamber while eating. The floors and walls were covered with white plaster.[2]
Controversy
Despite the excavator's identification of a building among the Hasmonean palatial complex near Wadi Qelt as a synagogue,[4] the matter is far from conclusive. In fact, few scholars seriously consider this suggestion in discussions of Second Temple period synagogues, though even fewer have openly challenged the identification in print.[5][6]
^Oldest Synagogue Found in Israel 2015-09-24 at the Wayback Machine, March 29, 1998. Associated Press
^ abcIsrael's Oldest Synagogue, Archaeology, Volume 51 Number 4, July/August 1998, by Spencer P.M. Harrington
^Ehud Netzer,"A Synagogue from the Hasmonean Period Recently Exposed in the Western Plain of Jericho", IEJ 49 (1999): 203–21.
^Ehud Netzer, "A Synagogue from the Hasmonean Period Recently Exposed in the Western Plane of Jericho", Israel Exploration Journal 49 (1999): 203-31.
^Stacey, David. "Was There a Synagogue in Hasmonean Jericho?" at bibleinterp.arizona.edu.
^Japp, Sarah; Schwarzer, Holger (2002). "Synagoge, Banketthaus oder Wohngebäude?" [Synagogue, banquet house, or residential building?]. Antike Welt. Mainz: Philipp von Zabern (3): 277–88. Retrieved 16 January 2022 – via academia.edu.
January 07, 2023
wadi, qelt, synagogue, byzantine, period, synagogue, jericho, jericho, synagogue, name, given, some, building, controversially, identified, excavator, archaeologist, ehud, netzer, hasmonean, period, synagogue, part, royal, winter, palace, complex, built, hasmo. For the Byzantine period synagogue in Jericho see Jericho synagogue The Wadi Qelt Synagogue is the name given by some to a building controversially identified by its excavator archaeologist Ehud Netzer as a Hasmonean period synagogue It is part of the royal winter palace complex built by the Hasmoneans in the warm desert oasis of Jericho west of the town proper It dates from between 70 and 50 BCE and if it did indeed serve as a synagogue it would be one of the oldest synagogues ever found 1 2 3 Wadi Qelt SynagogueShown within the West BankLocationTulul Abu al Alayiq in Wadi Qelt site of the Hasmonean royal winter palacesRegionWest Bank outside JerichoCoordinates31 50 40 N 35 24 51 E 31 844316 N 35 414257 E 31 844316 35 414257Site notesArchaeologistsEhud NetzerConditionruin entire site under constant degradation since excavationThe synagogue was discovered during a dig led by Ehud Netzer 2 The synagogue was a modest building of stone and sun baked brick It included a ritual bath and a small courtyard surrounded by seven or eight rooms with a rectangular main hall measuring 53 by 37 feet The hall was bordered by a colonnade the platform of which was nearly two feet above the floor of the nave This provided seating for nearly 70 people In the northeastern corner Netzer found a niche that may have served as a Torah Ark A lower compartment mostly intact is thought to have possibly functioned as a genizah or storage compartment where old or unused scrolls were stored Adjacent to the western side of the main hall was a triclinium or dining hall where public meals could be held and a small triangular space that may have been used as a kitchen The triclinium was added some years after the main hall was built Diners reclined Roman style on benches against three walls of the chamber while eating The floors and walls were covered with white plaster 2 Controversy EditDespite the excavator s identification of a building among the Hasmonean palatial complex near Wadi Qelt as a synagogue 4 the matter is far from conclusive In fact few scholars seriously consider this suggestion in discussions of Second Temple period synagogues though even fewer have openly challenged the identification in print 5 6 See also EditJericho synagogue List of oldest synagogues Ancient synagogues in IsraelReferences Edit Oldest Synagogue Found in Israel Archived 2015 09 24 at the Wayback Machine March 29 1998 Associated Press a b c Israel s Oldest Synagogue Archaeology Volume 51 Number 4 July August 1998 by Spencer P M Harrington Ehud Netzer A Synagogue from the Hasmonean Period Recently Exposed in the Western Plain of Jericho IEJ 49 1999 203 21 Ehud Netzer A Synagogue from the Hasmonean Period Recently Exposed in the Western Plane of Jericho Israel Exploration Journal 49 1999 203 31 Stacey David Was There a Synagogue in Hasmonean Jericho at bibleinterp arizona edu Japp Sarah Schwarzer Holger 2002 Synagoge Banketthaus oder Wohngebaude Synagogue banquet house or residential building Antike Welt Mainz Philipp von Zabern 3 277 88 Retrieved 16 January 2022 via academia edu Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Wadi Qelt Synagogue amp oldid 1090529629, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
