The rectangular, green alms box is topped by a gabled roof. A door with an elongated handle at its left is fixed on its front facet. An inscription in square letters is attached to it, above a lock, and reads:
"אור/ תורה."
"The light of the Torah" (see: Remarks: no. 1).
A protruding groove for inserting the coins is placed at the center of the roof while a ring for the hanging the box is attached to the roof's upper edge.
Summary and Remarks
- Two main communal institutions were active in Djerba, during the 19th and 20th centuries: Or Torah (The light of the Torah) and Bikur Holim (Sick Visiting Society). Both organizations supported the poor in both niebourhoods, who could not afford to pay for studies or for medical care. The Or Torah was responsible to maintain the students who studied Torah in junior school (Talmud Torah) as well as in a Talmudic college (Yeshiva).
The Tunisian governmental laws prohibited communal taxations, and thus, the organizations were considered part of the Jewish Committee. Each institution placed alms boxes in the synagogues around theIsland, and the donations were collected for the benefit of the poor. - Due to the Or Torah organization, many Jews gained education and became important scholars. For the importance of the institution and the alms boxes system, see: HaCohen, Brith Kehunah, Orah Hayim, 26, pp. 183-184; Mazuz, Yahadut, 1978, p. 83; Hadad, Yalkut, 1987, p. 11.
Remarks
6 image(s)
sub-set tree:
Name/Title
Or Torah Alms Box | Unknown
Object Detail
Monument Setting
Unknown
Date
19th century
Synagogue active dates
Reconstruction dates
Artist/ Maker
Unknown
Origin
Historical Origin
Unknown
Community type
Congregation
Location
Unknown |
Site
Unknown
School/Style
Unknown|
Period
Period Detail
Documentation / Research project
Unknown
Iconographical Subject
Unknown |
Textual Content
Unknown |
Languages of inscription
Unknown
Shape / Form
Unknown
Material / Technique
Wood
Structure: sawn
Decoration: paint
Bonding: nailed, glue, hinges
Structure: sawn
Decoration: paint
Bonding: nailed, glue, hinges
Material Stucture
Material Decoration
Material Bonding
Material Inscription
Material Additions
Material Cloth
Material Lining
Tesserae Arrangement
Density
Colors
Construction material
Measurements
Height: 175 mm
Width: 106mm
Depth: 85 mm
Width: 106mm
Depth: 85 mm
Height
Length
Width
Depth
Circumference
Thickness
Diameter
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
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
Main Surveys & Excavations
Sources
• Moses, Chalphon, HaCohen. Brith Kehunah. Djerba, 1941. In Hebrew.
• Boaz, Hadad. Yalkut Zichronot. Lod: Haberman Pub.1987. In Hebrew.
• Mazuz, Yehonathan. Yahadut Ha-i Djerba. Safed: Ma'or HaGalil. 1978. In Hebrew.
Type
Documenter
Efrat Assaf-Shapira |
Author of description
| 01.04; 03.11
Architectural Drawings
|
Computer Reconstruction
|
Section Head
|
Language Editor
Simona Gronemann | 05.11
Donor
|
Object Copyright
Sc_092
Negative/Photo. No.
The following information on this monument will be completed:
Unknown |