| Old New Synagogue | |
|---|---|
View from the north-west with Jewish Town Hall to rear |
|
| Basic information | |
| Location |  Prague, Czech Republic |
| Affiliation | Orthodox Judaism |
| Ecclesiastical status | Active |
| Website | Jewish Museum |
| Architectural description | |
| Architectural style | Gothic |
| Year completed | 1270 |
The Old New Synagogue (Czech: Staronová synagoga; German: Altneuschule, Altneusynagoge) situated in Josefov, Prague, is Europe's oldest active synagogue.[1] It is also the oldest surviving medieval synagogue of twin nave design.[2]
Completed in 1270 in gothic style, it was one of Prague's first gothic buildings.[3] A still older Prague synagogue, known as the Old Synagogue, was demolished in 1867 and replaced by the Spanish Synagogue.
Contents |
Etymology
There are two explanations for the name "Alt-Neu." The first is based on the German and Yiddish translation of Alt-Neu as "Old-New." According to this explanation, the synagogue was originally called the New or Great Synagogue and later, when newer synagogues were built in the 16th century, it became known as the Old-New Synagogue[4]. Another view says this may be a mistranslation. According to this version, the synagogue is believed to have been built from stones from the Temple in Jerusalem, and the synagogue was built "on condition", in Hebrew: Al-Tnai, that the stones would be returned after the reconstruction of the Temple.[5]
Interior
Nine steps lead from the street into a vestibule, from which a door opens into a double-nave with six vaulted bays. This double-nave system was most likely adapted from plans of monasteries and chapels by the synagogue's Christian architects.[6] The molding on the tympanum of the synagogue’s entryway has a design that incorporates twelve vines and twelve bunches of grapes, said to represent twelve tribes of Israel.[7] Two large pillars aligned east to west in the middle of the room each support the interior corner of four bays. The bays have two narrow Gothic windows on the sides, for a total of twelve, again representing the twelve tribes. The narrow windows are probably responsible for many descriptions of the Altneu Shul as being dark and dingy, but it is now brightly lit, with several electric chandeliers.
The vaulting on the six bays has five ribs instead of the typical four or six. It has been suggested that this was an attempt to avoid associations with the Christian cross. Many scholars dispute this theory, pointing to synagogues that have quadripartite ribs, and Christian buildings that have the unusual five rib design (depicted to the right).[6]
The bimah from which Torah scrolls are read is located between the two pillars. The base of the bimah repeats the motif found on the tympanum, and is decorated with engravings of twelve vines.[7] The Aron Kodesh where the Torah scrolls are stored is located in the middle of the customary eastern wall. There are five steps leading up to the Ark and two round stained glass windows on either side above it. A lectern in front of the ark has a square well a few inches below the main floor for the service leader to stand in.
The twelve lancet windows in the synagogue, which directed light towards the center of then building, over the bimah, apparently led members to compare the structure with Solomon’s Temple.[7]
The synagogue follows orthodox custom, with separate seating for men and women during prayer services. Women sit in an outer room with small windows looking into the main sanctuary. The framework of the roof, the gable, and the party wall date from the Middle Ages.
An unusual feature is a large flag on a standard at the west pillar bearing a Star of David, the text of Shema Yisrael, and a Yarmulke-Jewish hat-are the last a symbols of the Jewish community in Prague since the 15th century. The right to carry a flag, a symbol of community autonomy, was granted by Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor in recognition of the services of the Jews in the defense of Prague against the Swedes. The current flag was presented to the Jews by Charles VI (the flag now on display is a replica).
Golem of Prague
It is said that the body of Golem (created by Rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel) lies in the attic where the genizah of Prague's community is kept.[8] A legend is told of a Nazi agent during World War II broaching the genizah, but who perished instead.[9] In the event, the Gestapo apparently did not enter the attic during the war, and the building was spared during the Nazis' destruction of synagogues.[10] The lowest three meters from the stairs leading to the attic from the outside have been removed and the attic is not open to the general public.
See also
Gallery
 The eastern facade. |
 The Old New Synagogue before 1906 |
 Interior of the Old New Synagogue |
References
- ^ The Old-New Synagogue in Prague, Josefov web site
- ^ Old-New Synagogue, Jewish Museum in Prague
- ^ David Wallace, Preface, Anne's Bohemia; Czech Literature and Society, 1310-1420, by Alfred Thomas University of Minnesota Press, 1998, p. xi.
- ^ Josefov web site
- ^ http://www.prague-tourist-information.com/jewish/old-new/index.htm
- ^ a b Carol Herselle Krinsky, Synagogues of Europe: Architecture, History, Meaning, Dover Publications, 1996.
- ^ a b c H.A. Meek, The Synagogue, Phaidon, 1995, p. 93.
- ^ The Golem, Temple Emanu-El, San Jose
- ^ The Golem Lives On, Jewish Post
- ^ The Golem
Bibliography
- Pražské Synagogy/Prague Synagogues, Arno Pařík, Jewish Museum in Prague, 2000, ISBN 80-85608-33-2.
- This article incorporates text from the 1901–1906 Jewish Encyclopedia, a publication now in the public domain.
External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Old New Synagogue |
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
