The Ancient Synagogue: The First Thousand Years

Rating:
Summary: Will be the leading work in the field, Blows Your Conception
Review: Lee Levine is a Professor at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, and this is a fresh perspective on the ancient synagogue (gathering place). According the Levine, the synagogue was not just a replacement for the Temple that was destroyed. It was not only a center of learning and prayer that faced Jerusalem. According to Levine, prayer was not even the primary function. It was a community center that even served meals. Prayer was not done according to the Talmud and its leadership had nothing to do with rabbis. As is done today, the benefactors of early synagogues even had their names displayed in gold on plaques. The early synagogues were embellished by paintings and mosaics of birds and icons, including pagan and non-Jewish astrological signs. More money was spent on large synagogues than on the schools and academies. (the more things change the more they stay the same, no?) Levine writes that there is no verification that females were ever separated into galleries. Greek and Aramaic were the predominant languages in the early synagogues. They did not become prayer centers til about the fourth century. In the words of the Times Literary Supplement, this is a weighty and meaty book.

Rating:
Summary: Will be the leading work in the field, Blows Your Conception
Review: Lee Levine is a Professor at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, and this is a fresh perspective on the ancient synagogue (gathering place). According the Levine, the synagogue was not just a replacement for the Temple that was destroyed. It was not only a center of learning and prayer that faced Jerusalem. According to Levine, prayer was not even the primary function. It was a community center that even served meals. Prayer was not done according to the Talmud and its leadership had nothing to do with rabbis. As is done today, the benefactors of early synagogues even had their names displayed in gold on plaques. The early synagogues were embellished by paintings and mosaics of birds and icons, including pagan and non-Jewish astrological signs. More money was spent on large synagogues than on the schools and academies. (the more things change the more they stay the same, no?) Levine writes that there is no verification that females were ever separated into galleries. Greek and Aramaic were the predominant languages in the early synagogues. They did not become prayer centers til about the fourth century. In the words of the Times Literary Supplement, this is a weighty and meaty book.