Maon Synagogue
Encyclopedia
The Maon Synagogue is a 6th-century synagogue
and archaeological site located in the Negev Desert near Kibbutz Nirim
and Kibbutz Nir Oz
. It is noted for its "magnificent" mosaic
floor.
to contain a Torah Ark was constructed. The floor level was raised and marble columns and a "breathtakingly beautiful" mosaic floor installed.
At the bottom of the mosaic floor is a amphora
flanked by a pair of peacocks. A vine flows out of the amphora, forming loops, in each loop is a bird, animal, fruit, or a depiction of steps in the wine making process. The design is so similar to the mosaics in the church floor at nearby Shallal that they are thought to have been designed by the same artist. Both floors depict animals and have similar patterns: the synagogue floor is distinguished by a menorah flanked by two lions and several other Jewish ritual objects. The seven-branched menorah stands on three legs, like the menorah in the Temple in Jerusalem
. The legs in Maon are shaped like a lion's paws. Alongside the menorah are the symbols of Judah
, palm trees and lions. Esrogs, a shofar
and a lulav
are depicted nearby. The Mosaic has an inscription in Aramaic. The upper part of the inscription blesses all members of the community, the lower part honors three donors. An identical floor was found in the ancient synagogue in Gaza.
The synagogue is built on the basilica
plan. The mosaic is in the central area, the two side aisles were paved with stone. The ceiling was made of wooden beams and clay.
A number of small objects were found by the salvage dig on the floor facing the Torah Ark. These include coins and bone and metal artifacts
that are thought to have been associated with the Torah Ark and its ornamental curtain. There were also fragments of glass and ceramic lamps. Dozens of amulets were also found, some of them were used by women who were asking for good health.
Adjacent to the ruins of the synagogue a cistern, water channels and a mikvah
.
.
, Israel Antiquities Authority
and Eshkol Regional Council and paid for by philanthropist Sandy Galet. The mosaic was lifted from its original foundation and carefully cleaned. A new foundation was installed, and the mosaic was securely attached. The mosaic is now protected and was opened to the public in 2009.
Synagogue
A synagogue is a Jewish house of prayer. This use of the Greek term synagogue originates in the Septuagint where it sometimes translates the Hebrew word for assembly, kahal...
and archaeological site located in the Negev Desert near Kibbutz Nirim
Nirim
Nirim is a kibbutz in the northwestern Negev in Israel. Located near the border with the Gaza Strip, about 7 kilometers east of Khan Yunis, it falls under the jurisdiction of Eshkol Regional Council...
and Kibbutz Nir Oz
Nir Oz
Nir Oz is a kibbutz in southern Israel. It is located in the northwestern Negev desert between Magen and Nirim, and covers 20,000 dunams. Nir Oz is under the jurisdiction of Eshkol Regional Council. In 2006 it had a population of 348...
. It is noted for its "magnificent" mosaic
Mosaic
Mosaic is the art of creating images with an assemblage of small pieces of colored glass, stone, or other materials. It may be a technique of decorative art, an aspect of interior decoration, or of cultural and spiritual significance as in a cathedral...
floor.
Description of archaeological finds
The original date of the synagogue is uncertain but is before the 6th century. In a sixth century renovation, the northern wall (closest to Jerusalem) was opened and a semi-circular apseApse
In architecture, the apse is a semicircular recess covered with a hemispherical vault or semi-dome...
to contain a Torah Ark was constructed. The floor level was raised and marble columns and a "breathtakingly beautiful" mosaic floor installed.
At the bottom of the mosaic floor is a amphora
Amphora
An amphora is a type of vase-shaped, usually ceramic container with two handles and a long neck narrower than the body...
flanked by a pair of peacocks. A vine flows out of the amphora, forming loops, in each loop is a bird, animal, fruit, or a depiction of steps in the wine making process. The design is so similar to the mosaics in the church floor at nearby Shallal that they are thought to have been designed by the same artist. Both floors depict animals and have similar patterns: the synagogue floor is distinguished by a menorah flanked by two lions and several other Jewish ritual objects. The seven-branched menorah stands on three legs, like the menorah in the Temple in Jerusalem
Temple in Jerusalem
The Temple in Jerusalem or Holy Temple , refers to one of a series of structures which were historically located on the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem, the current site of the Dome of the Rock. Historically, these successive temples stood at this location and functioned as the centre of...
. The legs in Maon are shaped like a lion's paws. Alongside the menorah are the symbols of Judah
Kingdom of Judah
The Kingdom of Judah was a Jewish state established in the Southern Levant during the Iron Age. It is often referred to as the "Southern Kingdom" to distinguish it from the northern Kingdom of Israel....
, palm trees and lions. Esrogs, a shofar
Shofar
A shofar is a horn, traditionally that of a ram, used for Jewish religious purposes. Shofar-blowing is incorporated in synagogue services on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.Shofar come in a variety of sizes.- Bible and rabbinic literature :...
and a lulav
Lulav
The Lulav is a closed frond of the date palm tree. It is one of the arba'ah minim used in the morning prayer services during the Jewish holiday of Sukkot...
are depicted nearby. The Mosaic has an inscription in Aramaic. The upper part of the inscription blesses all members of the community, the lower part honors three donors. An identical floor was found in the ancient synagogue in Gaza.
The synagogue is built on the basilica
Basilica
The Latin word basilica , was originally used to describe a Roman public building, usually located in the forum of a Roman town. Public basilicas began to appear in Hellenistic cities in the 2nd century BC.The term was also applied to buildings used for religious purposes...
plan. The mosaic is in the central area, the two side aisles were paved with stone. The ceiling was made of wooden beams and clay.
A number of small objects were found by the salvage dig on the floor facing the Torah Ark. These include coins and bone and metal artifacts
Artifact (archaeology)
An artifact or artefact is "something made or given shape by man, such as a tool or a work of art, esp an object of archaeological interest"...
that are thought to have been associated with the Torah Ark and its ornamental curtain. There were also fragments of glass and ceramic lamps. Dozens of amulets were also found, some of them were used by women who were asking for good health.
Adjacent to the ruins of the synagogue a cistern, water channels and a mikvah
Mikvah
Mikveh is a bath used for the purpose of ritual immersion in Judaism...
.
Ancient history
The synagogue was built in the Hellenistic site of Menois, a city that is marked on the Map of Madaba. It is one of three ancient synagogues that have been discovered in the western NegevNegev
The Negev is a desert and semidesert region of southern Israel. The Arabs, including the native Bedouin population of the region, refer to the desert as al-Naqab. The origin of the word Neghebh is from the Hebrew root denoting 'dry'...
.
Modern history
The synagogue and its mosaic floor were discovered during a construction of a road in 1957. The mosaic was damaged, but the undamaged segment was preserved by a salvage excavation. After discovery, the mosaic was neglected, causing deterioration. Restoration work began in 2006, sponsored by the Jewish National FundJewish National Fund
The Jewish National Fund was founded in 1901 to buy and develop land in Ottoman Palestine for Jewish settlement. The JNF is a quasi-governmental, non-profit organisation...
, Israel Antiquities Authority
Israel Antiquities Authority
The Israel Antiquities Authority is an independent Israeli governmental authority responsible for enforcing the 1978 Law of Antiquities. The IAA regulates excavation and conservation, and promotes research...
and Eshkol Regional Council and paid for by philanthropist Sandy Galet. The mosaic was lifted from its original foundation and carefully cleaned. A new foundation was installed, and the mosaic was securely attached. The mosaic is now protected and was opened to the public in 2009.