Obj. ID: 3898
Sacred and Ritual Objects Elijah's rod, Afghanistan, 1949
The Elijah's rod terminates in a silver knob. The lower and upper parts of the rod are covered by winding silver strips decorated with foliate and geometric patterns. The center of the rod is painted with a multi-colored floral pattern on a gold background. The lower section of the rod and the onion-shaped knob are decorated with diagonal bands with a foliate pattern.
The rod is wrapped with a blue and brown velvet cloth and a silk kerchief.
Summary and Remarks
Remarks
16 image(s)
sub-set tree:
Name/Title
Elijah's rod | Unknown
Object
Object Detail
Monument Setting
Unknown
Date
1949
Synagogue active dates
Reconstruction dates
Artist/ Maker
Unknown
Origin
Historical Origin
Unknown
Community type
Congregation
Location
Unknown |
Site
Unknown
School/Style
Unknown|
Period
Unknown
Period Detail
Documentation / Research project
Unknown
Iconographical Subject
Unknown |
Textual Content
Unknown |
Languages of inscription
Unknown
Shape / Form
Unknown
Material / Technique
Wood; Silver
Material Stucture
hammered; carved
Material Decoration
epousse, engraved, stamped;## painted in red, orange, green, blue and gold
Material Bonding
Material Inscription
Material Additions
Material Cloth
Material Lining
Tesserae Arrangement
Density
Colors
Construction material
Measurements
Height
138 cm
Length
Width
Depth
Circumference
Thickness
Diameter
2 cm
Weight
Axis
Panel Measurements
Condition
Extant
Documented by CJA
Surveyed by CJA
Present Usage
Present Usage Details
Condition of Building Fabric
Architectural Significance type
Historical significance: Event/Period
Historical significance: Collective Memory/Folklore
Historical significance: Person
Architectural Significance: Style
Architectural Significance: Artistic Decoration
Urban significance
Significance Rating
0
Ornamentation
Custom
According to the Jewish tradition, Elijah, the angel of the covenant (Mal. 3:1; based on: 1 Kgs. 19: 14), is present in each and every circumcision ceremony (Pirkei De-Rabbi Eliezer (Horev ed.), ch. 28). In most communities his presence in the ceremony is represented by a special chair, known as "Elijah's chair", which is also mentioned during the benedictions.
In the Persian Jewish communities of Central Asia, Afghanistan and Caucasus, the arrival of Elijah at the circumcision is also marked by a special staff, attributed to the old messenger, named "Elijah's rod". Jewish folktales of Afghanistan describe Elijah the prophet as an old man worn out from the many circumcisions he must attend. He therefore leans on his rod and sits on his chair in order to rest a little.
In Afghan communities, Elijah's staff was preserved, wrapped in a cloth sack, in the Torah ark. During the circumcision ceremony, it was set between the two chairs, tilted against the big Elijah's chair.
As the rod is believed to have healing powers, associated with the revival stories of the prophet Elijah (1 Kgs. 17: 21-24) and his disciple (2 Kgs. 4: 29), the rod is brought to the house of a birthing woman, in order to protect her and the newborn [Noy, Afghanistan: Folklore; Kurt, Matehu; Hanegbi, The Circumcision; Amar, Ingathering, p. 97].
Apart from the custom, the staffs of the three communities share common artistic features. The rod is usually covered with silver sheets and is surrounded by an inscribed band. However, the ornaments differ in style and shape and the decoration of the knob.
In the Persian Jewish communities of Central Asia, Afghanistan and Caucasus, the arrival of Elijah at the circumcision is also marked by a special staff, attributed to the old messenger, named "Elijah's rod". Jewish folktales of Afghanistan describe Elijah the prophet as an old man worn out from the many circumcisions he must attend. He therefore leans on his rod and sits on his chair in order to rest a little.
In Afghan communities, Elijah's staff was preserved, wrapped in a cloth sack, in the Torah ark. During the circumcision ceremony, it was set between the two chairs, tilted against the big Elijah's chair.
As the rod is believed to have healing powers, associated with the revival stories of the prophet Elijah (1 Kgs. 17: 21-24) and his disciple (2 Kgs. 4: 29), the rod is brought to the house of a birthing woman, in order to protect her and the newborn [Noy, Afghanistan: Folklore; Kurt, Matehu; Hanegbi, The Circumcision; Amar, Ingathering, p. 97].
Apart from the custom, the staffs of the three communities share common artistic features. The rod is usually covered with silver sheets and is surrounded by an inscribed band. However, the ornaments differ in style and shape and the decoration of the knob.
Contents
Codicology
Scribes
Script
Number of Lines
Ruling
Pricking
Quires
Catchwords
Hebrew Numeration
Blank Leaves
Direction/Location
Façade (main)
Endivances
Location of Torah Ark
Location of Apse
Location of Niche
Location of Reader's Desk
Location of Platform
Temp: Architecture Axis
Arrangement of Seats
Location of Women's Section
Direction Prayer
Direction Toward Jerusalem
Coin
Coin Series
Coin Ruler
Coin Year
Denomination
Signature
Colophon
Scribal Notes
Watermark
Hallmark
Group
Group
Group
Group
Group
Trade Mark
Binding
Decoration Program
Suggested Reconsdivuction
History/Provenance
The rod was originally from the Mula Yoav Harat Synagogue in Afghanistan, according to Mr. Moshe Na'amat, a congregant.
Main Surveys & Excavations
Sources
Hanegbi, Zohar and Bracha Yaniv, Afghanistan : the synagogue and the Jewish home (Jerusalem: Center for Jewish Art, 1991), pp. 34, 82, 156-158.
Amar, Ariella and Ruth Jacoby, eds. Ingathering of the Nations. Jerusalem: Center for Jewish Art, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 1998. In English and Hebrew.
Kurt, Zevulun. "Matehu shel Eliyahu Ha-Navi" (Elijah's Rod). Yeda Am. Vol. 7. No. 25. P. 64. 1962. In Hebrew.
Noy, Dov. s.v. "Afghanistan: Folklore". Encyclopedia Judaica, 2nd ed.
Type
Documenter
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Author of description
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Architectural Drawings
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Computer Reconstruction
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Section Head
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Language Editor
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Donor
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Object Copyright
Sc_008
Negative/Photo. No.
The following information on this monument will be completed:
Unknown |