Today we met our parents and grandparents at the Israel Museum, for our second visit.
I was surprised that there was so much more to see inside. We started by recapping the
past few days’ lessons, about Ashkenaz and the distinct traits of the Jewish People
(names, dress, and language). We then walked into a small area displaying the
illuminated manuscripts of Rambam. Today helped reinforce the idea we talked about
in class, how he was a genius, though he had a “multifaceted personality” (written
on one of the informational plaques). I went to a Jewish day school for some of
elementary and middle school, and I had been introduced briefly to Rambam and
his accomplishments. However, I never grasped his imperfection, how he was fairly
arrogant. It was also amazing to see some of his work, in vibrant and intricate color,
surviving so many years.
I was surprised that there was so much more to see inside. We started by recapping the
past few days’ lessons, about Ashkenaz and the distinct traits of the Jewish People
(names, dress, and language). We then walked into a small area displaying the
illuminated manuscripts of Rambam. Today helped reinforce the idea we talked about
in class, how he was a genius, though he had a “multifaceted personality” (written
on one of the informational plaques). I went to a Jewish day school for some of
elementary and middle school, and I had been introduced briefly to Rambam and
his accomplishments. However, I never grasped his imperfection, how he was fairly
arrogant. It was also amazing to see some of his work, in vibrant and intricate color,
surviving so many years.
After the room with the manuscripts, we moved into an exhibit split into four life
events: birth, bar/bat mitzvah, wedding, and death. I found these interesting,
knowing how important these events are in Judaism. We saw a bench meant for two
people, so that space is made for Elijah to attend circumcisions. In the wedding section,
we saw a German “Chuppah Stone,” that glass was thrown at to symbolize the
destruction of the second temple.
events: birth, bar/bat mitzvah, wedding, and death. I found these interesting,
knowing how important these events are in Judaism. We saw a bench meant for two
people, so that space is made for Elijah to attend circumcisions. In the wedding section,
we saw a German “Chuppah Stone,” that glass was thrown at to symbolize the
destruction of the second temple.
We then journeyed further into the museum, seeing artifacts from a range of time
periods. My favorite piece was a wooden knocker used for calling people to prayer.
My grandma made the observation that it was shaped like a shofar, which was also
used to call people to prayer.
periods. My favorite piece was a wooden knocker used for calling people to prayer.
My grandma made the observation that it was shaped like a shofar, which was also
used to call people to prayer.
We also got to see four recreations of synagogues. They were very different from
each other, ranging from a wooden arched ceiling to floors covered in sand to
muffle wooden shoes. Seeing the differences in culture helped me understand
the diaspora-Jews could really move! Which synagogue did you find the most
interesting/surprising? Why?
each other, ranging from a wooden arched ceiling to floors covered in sand to
muffle wooden shoes. Seeing the differences in culture helped me understand
the diaspora-Jews could really move! Which synagogue did you find the most
interesting/surprising? Why?
I really enjoyed this tiyul and my mom did to. Something I love about Judaism is how spread out and diverse it is, and many of the things we looked at showed how Judaism is conveyed and practiced differently by different people. For example, the 4 synagogues we looked at looked completely different, but they all hold the same faith and prayers. The synagogue I found the most interesting was the Caribbean synagogue because as my mom and I walked it we both said that it looked almost exactly like my grandfather's church before even discussing it together. I was curious if the style of that synagogue, thus, was also influenced by styles of churches at the time.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this tiyul. I thought that seeing the different syagogues helped me to understand the different aspects of ancient Jewish life. My favorite one was the one made completely out of wood because it was very natural and had a vibe that I have not yet experienced in a synagogue.
ReplyDeleteI thought the South American synagogue was the most interesting since it seemed the most different from any religious enviorment I've been in before. The brightness of it compared to the other synagogues gave it a more open feeling and it almost reminded me of praying outside.
ReplyDeleteI personally thought that the synagogue from Suriname was the most surprising. It fascinated me to see it’s resemblance to a church, the influence of the Dutch (sand on the floor to muffle clog sounds), and the different set up than today’s synagogues. I thought that the architecture was so stunning in there, and I was also pleasantly surprised to know that there even were Jews in Suriname.
ReplyDeleteI found the synagogue from Surinam to be the most interesting. It was really cool how they used the sand on the floor to muffle the sounds of their wooden shoes. And how it all looked like a regular shul, then you'd look down and the stairs to the arc would be covered in sand. It was a completely different view of what a synagogue is but its layout reminded me so much of the sanctuary back in my own synagogue.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite synagogue was the German synagogue made of wood. It was incredibly intricate yet felt simple and rustic. It felt homey and was unlike any other synagogue I have ever went into.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite temple was the one which resembled Judaism basically mixed with Christianity. This synagogue was from Surinam and their tactics of using sand instead of wood was really appealing and different, completely changing the feeling from all the other classic synagogue. Understanding how all these synagogues are combined to form our culture today and their styles influenced the way Jews pray and the honor it is to be able to see this first hand with a replica of reconstruction from the countries culture and influence.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the synagogue that was a replica of the Caribbean temple. The styles of wood and simple colors that alluded to a beautiful near-beach service made me stop and think for a second about how Jews truly did bring their traditions and cultures to every end of the earth.
ReplyDelete