Sidon Synagogue

Sidon Synagogue
Basic information
Location Lebanon Sidon, Lebanon
Affiliation Judaism
Rite Sephardic
Status Not functional
Completed 833

The Sidon synagogue (Arabic: كنيس صيدا) is one of the oldest synagogues in the world.[1] It is located in the old city of Sidon (Saida, Lebanon) in the Jewish neighborhood or quarter known colloquially as ḥarat al-yahūd (Arabic: حارة اليهود).

History

Built in 833, it is believed to rest on an older synagogue which dates back to the destruction of the Second Temple in 66 AD.[1] Jesus is said to have preached in it and in its vicinity as attested in Matthew (15:21) and Mark (7:24).[1][2]

Although not big in size, it is considered one of the main synagogues in Lebanon which includes the Maghen Abraham Synagogue in Beirut completed in 1925.

In April 2012, prayers were said for the first time after decades of desuetude by two rabbis from the Neturei Karta International movement who were participating in a march to mark Land Day.[3]

Many Lebanese Jews began to leave Sidon after the Lebanese Civil War began in 1975,[3] which explains the synagogue's dilapidated state.

Sidon Synagogue in Sidon, Lebanon, July 2012

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Sacy, Andre. 2011. Saida D’hier Et D’aujourd’hui. Beyrouth: Editions Aleph
  2. ↑ “Sidon.” 2007. Encyclopaedia Judaica. MacMillan
  3. 1 2 Mohammed Zaatari, "Sidon synagogue opens for rare prayers", The Daily Star Lebanon, April 03, 2012

Coordinates: 33°33′38″N 35°23′53″E / 33.56056°N 35.39806°E / 33.56056; 35.39806

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