Img. ID: 23125
Jewish Architecture  

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The south facet of the lattice structure at the west end of the main prayer hall holds four panels depicting scenes in the Land of Israel. These four panels depict (from right to left):

1. The scene described in Psalm 137, with musical instruments (violin, horn, and drum) hanging from trees that stand alongside a river bank. Sailboats float in the river in the background. The inscription extends the sense of this reference to Psalm 137 by referring directly to the memory of the destroyed Temple in Jerusalem.

Inscription:

זכר לחורבן

Translation:

In memory of the Destruction [of the Temple]

2. Rachel's Tomb in the shape of a cubic structure topped by a red dome. The image includes roads leading to the monument from all sides.

Inscription:

רחל מבכה על בניה

Translation:

Rachel is weeping over her children (Jeremiah 31:14/15)

3. The Dead Sea with white waves, a desert clay beach, and seagulls.

Inscription:

ים המלח

Translation:

The Salt Sea [i.e., the Dead Sea]

4. The City of Zion (Jerusalem) as a castle with fortifications.

Inscription:

ציון במר תבכה

Translation:

Zion weeps bitterly

[This is an excerpt from the Nachem prayer that is recited during the Mincha service on Tisha b'Av. The prayer requests consolation for the mourners of Zion and regarding the destruction of Jerusalem]