By November 18, 2015 Read More →

El-Hirbe Samaritan synagogue mosaic pavement

62 Samaritan (2)

Before the Torah shrine was a second mosaic panel, this one containing the image of a Torah ark, evoking the biblical ark of the covenant, flanked by seven-branched menorahs from which lamps were suspended for additional light—apparently a mirror image of the synagogue furnishings before which it was laid. Stone arks and large menorahs have been discovered at a number of locations. Images of Torah shrines and menorahs appear in both Jewish and Samaritan synagogue mosaics, in bas-reliefs and on ritual objects.

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