The Friday sun will soon set and you can feel the quiet and calm of the Sabbath Eve settling down on Israel (despite the fact that three Grad rockets were just fired into the south from Sinai).
Here is an unusual synagogue we found in Tel Aviv's historic Neve Zedek neighborhood exactly two weeks ago.
Look at those two arms coming out of the wall, opening a Torah scroll case!
And on the ground floor is this tree sprouting the most important Jewish books: Tanach (the Hebrew Bible), Talmud, Shulchan Aruch, Zohar (mystical Judaism), and the Siddur (our prayerbook).
The sign says the congregation, Sukkat Shalom, was founded in 1913.
The door has the twelve tribes of Israel.
Inscribed above is "How goodly are your tents, O Jacob, your dwelling places, O Israel!"
This is the famous blessing which came out of Balaam's mouth when he was sent by the king Balak to curse the Israelites, and it is this week's Torah portion.
For donkey pictures and the biblical story of Balaam's talking ass, please see my posts here and here.
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Shabbat shalom.
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Shabat shalom Dina.
ReplyDeleteNow I know where the expression "For donkey's years" may come from ;-)
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to pick a favourite from these shots, Dina.
ReplyDeleteGreat history lesson!
ReplyDeleteIt IS unusual. Which community built and used the synagogue in Neve Zedek? Is it used now?
ReplyDeleteI could spend a while taking pictures of this synagogue...
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful!
ReplyDeleteShabbat Shalom Dina
Spiderdama:-)
What a beautiful architecture with a rich history...
ReplyDeleteHels, the sign says Tzi'irei HaMizrach. The synagogue seems to be in use today. However, we walked around Neve Zekek on a Saturday/Shabbat afternoon and there was hardly a soul in the streets. They must have all been napping or at the beach. :)
ReplyDeleteUnusual maybe but pretty beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI had to enlarge the photo, but I got to see the arms. Very interesting.
ReplyDeleteTruely beautiful and very spiritual .
ReplyDeleteAlice