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Obj. ID: 500
  Ancient Art
  Gush Halav Synagogue, Eretz Israel, 3rd-4th century CE

© Center for Jewish Art, Photographer: Unknown,

The synagogue consists of a rectangular north-south hall, an attached corridor on the west, two storage rooms on the east, and a space on the north used according to Meyers as a gallery for extra seating. The main entrance is located in the southern facade, facing Jerusalem. A small outer stairway led to a second entrance in the northwestern corner. The hall is divided by two rows of four columns, with Ionic capitals into a nave and two aisles. The bema located in the southwest corner. Benches were attached to the western wall. The bench along the north wall is actually a step to the gallery platform. 

Summary and Remarks
Remarks

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Name/Title
Gush Halav Synagogue | Unknown
Object Detail
Monument Setting
Unknown
Date
3rd-4th century CE
Active dates
Reconstruction dates
Artist/ Maker
Unknown
Historical Origin
Unknown
Community type
Congregation
Unknown
Location
Unknown |
Site
Unknown
School/Style
Unknown|
Period Detail
Collection
Unknown |
Documentation / Research project
Unknown
Iconographical Subject
Unknown |
Textual Content
Unknown |
Languages of inscription
Unknown
Shape / Form
Unknown
Material / Technique
Lime stone ## Ashlar block ## Carved
Material Stucture
Material Decoration
Material Bonding
Material Inscription
Material Additions
Material Cloth
Material Lining
Tesserae Arrangement
Density
Colors
Construction material
Measurements
Height
Length
13.75 m
Width
10.6-11 m
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

Gush Halav is about 8 km northwest of Safed, in the Galilee. It was mentioned in the Mishnah as a fortified city from the time of Joshua. Its wall was rebuilt when Josephus, who fortified many cities and villages in Galilee (war II, 575, 590; life 185), the city surrendered without a fight in 67 CE. (war IV, 92-120). Jhoan of Gischala comes from the city. According to Jerom Gischala was the home of Paul's parents. In the Talmud, Gusu Halav is mentioned as a producer of fine olive oil (war II,591-592; life, 74-75; Tosefta men.9:5; B.T, men 85b).

Renan A., Wilson C., Guerin V. visited the site in the nineteenth century.

Kohl H. and Watzinger C. surveyed the site (1906).

Excavations were carried out at the site under the auspices of the American Schools of Oriental Research under the direction of E.M. Meyers.

In the synagogue, there were four phases, dated according to numismatic and ceramics materials, and considering the earthquake taking place in this area. The first phase is dated to 250-306 CE. The second phase is dated to 306-363 CE. The third phase was built again after the great earthquake and is dated to 363-460. The fourth phase is dated to 460-551.

The first building was the most ambitious. The second building witnessed no major modification, a small bema replaced the second larger one on the south-western corner of the facade wall. The fourth phase attested through the floor.

Main Surveys & Excavations
Sources

Meyers E.M.- in E.O.E: 547-550.

Type
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Architectural Drawings
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Computer Reconstruction
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Negative/Photo. No.
The following information on this monument will be completed:
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