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Ben Ezra Synagogue
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The oldest existing synagogue in Cairo, Ben Ezra
Synagogue was originally a church, built in the sixth
century near the Roman Fortress of Babylon in Old Cairo.
In the ninth century Jews bought the church and a large
piece of land surrounding it.
For the Jews, the synagogue has great historical,
spiritual and religious importance: it is also supposed
to be the first place where Moses prayed.
This famous synagogue in Fostat (Old Cairo) was called
originally the synagogue of 'the men of Israel', built
in the year 882 on the remains of the basilica of a
Coptic church that had been sold to Jews.
It became known as the Synagogue of Elijah the Prophet and as the Ben Ezr
Synagogue.
One of the most famous Jews of the Middle ages, Moses
Maimonides (Moshe Ben-Maimon -HaRambam), physician,
philosopher, authority on religious law, worshipped at
this synagogue while living in Cairo, as a result of
which it was popularly called the Maimonides Synagogue.
During a restoration process in the 1890's, a
discovery took place: a medieval Geniza (hiding place)
was found. Sacred books and worn-out scrolls of the law
were put away in the Geniza.
Thus, thousands of original documents of the Middle Ages
were found. From the 1980's the synagogue went through
a restoration process and today it is an historical
monument and one of the most visited Jewish sites.
Ben Ezra Synagogue, Cairo, 10th century Museum of the Jewish People Tel
Aviv University The mutual architectural influence of
Jews, Muslims and Christians appears clearly in the Ben
Ezra Synagogue.
Christian influence shows in the building style itself,
which is reminiscent of a basilica. The ceiling is
supported by 12 marble columns. Motifs used in many
churches, like vines, sheaves of wheat and olive
branches are also in evidence.
Islamic influence is even more evident on the carved
wood and the two chandeliers, on one of which are
engraved the names of the four Rightly-Guided Caliphs.
On the other, the name of Sultan Qalawun is inscribed,
also in Arabic.
Jewish symbolic and decorative elements include the star
of David and the menorah.
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