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 Meroth  62 pictures
 2 minutes HQ video In the eastern end of the Upper Galilee, near the town Hatzor, the ancient Jewish town Meroth is located. The Synagogue  Over the past few years, a few of her public buildings have been revealed by excavation. At the end of the fourth century, or the beginning of the fifth century, a synagogue was built in the site, in the customary format of the synagogues of the Galilee, that is, rectangular structure, whose front and three openings faces south, toward Jerusalem. Traces of Holy Arks, between the three openings, were discovered as well. One of the unusual findings in the structures is the mosaic floor, illustrating King David, as a young Roman soldier, inspecting Philistine Goliath's big heavy armor. The additional inscription "Judan Bar Shimon Mani" perhaps mentions the one who donated the mosaic. That synagogue building format, in which the Ark is part of the wall with the openings, probably was a difficulty, and caused a total change of the architectural concept later, in the 7th century. Therefore, in the next stage of building the openings were fixed across, the Holy Ark remained close the wall facing Jerusalem, and the congregation no longer faced the door while praying. The area south of the building, which used to be the front yard, was now at the edge, and was therefore used for building an additional building, with a square shaped hall with stone benches along its walls, which, according to the excavators, was used as a study hall. That building, like the synagogue, was decorated with Biblical verses. The blessing "Blessed are You at your coming and going" (Deuteronomy 28:6; not sure of the translation) was inscribed on the huge stone doorpost in the entrance of the building, while on the mosaic floor was inscribed a verse from Isaiah.      Back to Israel Index
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