RECONCILING RABBINIC LITERATURE AND ARCHEOLOGICAL FINDS / הקשר בין ספרות חז"ל לממצא הארכאולוגי: הרהורים בתגובה לדברי דוד עמית

David Amit's analysis of several basic issues concerning the ancient synagogues reflects a mastery of the archeological and literary evidence and a well-rooted understanding of the problems at hand. However, some of his assumptions and interpretations deserve further scrutiny: 1) The rabbis wer...

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Published in:Ḳatedrah be-toldot Erets-Yiśraʼel ṿe-yishuvah 1993-06 (68), p.36-40
Main Authors: לוין, ישראל, LEVINE, LEE I.
Format: Article
Language:Hebrew
Subjects:
DISCUSSION: EXCAVATIONS AT MA'ON AND 'ANIM: THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE STUDY OF ANCIENT SYNAGOGUES IN SOUTHERN JUDEA / דיון: חפירות בתי-הכנסת במעון ובענים ותרומתן לחקר בתי-הכנסת הקדומים בארץ
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Summary:David Amit's analysis of several basic issues concerning the ancient synagogues reflects a mastery of the archeological and literary evidence and a well-rooted understanding of the problems at hand. However, some of his assumptions and interpretations deserve further scrutiny: 1) The rabbis were not unanimous regardings orientation during prayer. 2) Synagogue entrances in the east may not have been a halakhic issue, but one of historical and regional circumstances. 3) Amit's considerations for labelling some synagogues 'conservative' in their approaches to orientation and art are too generalized and deserve further refinement. 4) Adherence to the typological classification of ancient synagogues by periods is outdated and thus misleading. In addition, a number of misconceptions commonplace in writings about the ancient synagogue are noted. These include: the position of the rabbis in the synagogue, responsibility for prayer formulation, Torah-reading customs, art, and language. Sometimes these misconceptions result from a lack of critical interpretation of literary and archeological sources alike.
ISSN:0334-4657