Old New Synagogue
The Old-New Synagogue, Old New Synagogue in Prague's Jewish Town ( Czech Staronová synagoga ) is the oldest intact surviving synagogue in Europe and one of the earliest Gothic buildings in Prague.
History
The synagogue was built in the middle of the 13th century in early Gothic style and is still the religious center of Prague Jews. The building has several town fires, pogroms against the Jews and also of the slum rehabilitation ( slum clearance ) defied the 19th century. It was originally called " Great" or "New " Synagogue (as opposed to an older, non-preserved house of prayer ), up to a nearby building received its name.
About the origin of the name " Old New " there is next to a declaration or the various legends. The name is derived from the Hebrew עַל תְּנַאי ( al tenai ), which means " on condition that " means. Angels are said to have provided for the edification of the Old-New Synagogue stones from the Temple in Jerusalem, " on condition that" they should be issued on arrival of the Messiah and the rebuilding of the Temple again. According to another interpretation, however, we have, as the ground for the construction of the synagogue was excavated, found the remains of an even older synagogue. On the foundation of the "old " then the "new" synagogue was built.
According to legend, are located in the attic of the clay remains of the Golem, the rabbi Löw 400 years ago is said to have revived with his mind power. According to another legend, protected in pigeons turned angel before the synagogue fires, so that it is still there today, although there have been several large fires in the Jewish quarter. In fact, the Old-New Synagogue owes its preservation to the fact that they always stood alone and isolated and was never connected to another building. Because of this and also because of their very solid construction, they could defy all the vicissitudes of centuries.
The building was built ( according to various sources ) in the last third of the 13th century by the Royal Workshop stonemasons who built the nearby St. Agnes Monastery. Another source states that the construction of a Cistercian building works carried out.
Over time, it was as good as not changed. It was only in 1883 renovated Josef Mocker the synagogue. In the 20th century took place from 1921 to 1926, 1966/1967 and 1998/ 99 more repair work. In the time of the German occupation of Prague prayer house was not destroyed by the Nazis. It was intended to transform the house into a museum of the erased Jewish race.
The Old-New Synagogue was always the main synagogue of the Jewish community of Prague and enjoyed corresponding reputation. This was facilitated their most important rabbis such as Eliezer Ashkenazi, Mordechai ben Abraham Jaffe, the already mentioned Rabbi Loew, his pupil Jomtov Lipman Heller, Ezekiel Landau and Solomon Judah Loeb Rapoport.
The Old-New Synagogue is next to the High and the Jerusalem synagogue one of the three synagogues in Prague, where to this day Jewish services are held. The nearby Klaus and the Maisel Synagogue, however, serve as religious museums.
Specifications
Location and comparison
The Old-New Synagogue is located in the Cervena 2 of the former Jewish Town Josefov and is the oldest unspoiled example of a two-aisled medieval synagogue. The older in plan and form about 100 years synagogue of Worms was rebuilt after its destruction during the November pogroms of 1938 in the 1960s, which also older synagogue in Regensburg no longer exists, designed similar to the synagogue of Vienna were ( also destroyed ) and the later synagogue of Krakow. The Erfurt Synagogue obtained is about the same age.
Architectural and Interior
The building standing isolated has thick walls with buttresses to reinforce and only narrow windows. On three sides it is surrounded by low Attachments that contain vestibule and Mrs. ship. The floor level is a sign of humility lower than the street level. Hailing from the mid-13th century hall with its pointed arch barrel vault is the oldest component. Here are two early Baroque funds, which were aimed at recording the Jewish tax, which was raised throughout the country. End of the 13th century, a two-aisled hall was built. A striking feature of the façade is the stepped brick gable of the 15th century.
The main room with high ornate five- ribbed vault of six fünfkappigen Jochen vault is supported by two octagonal pillars. The twelve lancet windows represent the twelve tribes of Israel. Especially valuable are the tympanum with a representation of grape leaves and vines on the richly profiled portal, the tympanum above the ark with carved leaf ornaments and the vault keystones.
In the middle of the room - between the two Oktogonsäulen - carries a platform the bimah, the lectern where the Torah is read, surrounded by a gothic wrought -iron lattice. Is the ark, which is covered with Parochet and Kaporet and before the Ner Tamid On the east wall. To the right of the stone panel is set for the cantor.
The seats are still placed as in the original state to the bimah around along the walls. Behind niches were released in the walls, which were used for the storage of books and prayer paraphernalia. The seat of the Chief Rabbi is increased. There are wall lights, which are provided with brass mirrors to amplify the light on the walls. The bronze chandelier dating from the 16th to 18th centuries. The walls are also provided with Hebrew inscriptions and acronyms biblical verses.
About the bimah hangs a grand old flag, which symbolizes the important position of Prague's Jewish community, dating in its present form from 1716. However, it was already used since the 15th century and shows the coat of arms of the municipality, with a Star of David Jewish hat on a red background at the edges with the words of the Jewish creed " scheme Yisroel ".