Ari Ashkenazi Synagogue
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− | + | ('''Hebrew:''' בית כנסת האר"י האשכנזי / '''Spelling:''' Arei, Hari, Ashkanazi / '''Other Names:''' Arizal Shul, / '''Definition:''' Old Synagogue in Safed, Israel named after Rabbi Yitzhak Luria.) | |
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− | The | + | The ARI Ashkanazi Synagogue that exists today was built in 1857. It sits on the site of the original ARI Ashkanazi synagogue which was completely destroyed in the 1837 earthquake. |
== Gerigos Synagogue == | == Gerigos Synagogue == | ||
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== Chakal Tapuchim == | == Chakal Tapuchim == | ||
− | + | When Rabbi Isaac Luria, the ARI, came to Tzfat in 1534, he instituted the custom of welcoming the Sabbath in the field next to the Grigoros synagogue. Together with his students, the ARI would watch the sun set over the Meron mountain range as the Sabbath began. They would dance and sing the psalms and songs that today comprise the “Kabbalat Shabbat” service. This field was known by the students of the Ari as the 'Chakal Tapuchim' -- 'apple orchard' -- a reference to realm in the spiritual dimensions. | |
− | + | The synagogue served the expanding Tzfat community as the original immigrants became integrated into the community. Residents renamed the synagogue the “ARI Ashkanazi” when Hassidic immigrants began to arrive in Tzfat in the late 1700s and established their own “minyan” -- prayer quorum -- there. | |
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Visitors may notice that the ARI Ashkanazi synagogue does not have a “mezuzza” -- the traditional marking on the doorpost of a Jewish building. Jewish law states that a building must have a mezuzza if people intend to eat or sleep in the building. Since the ARI Ashkanazi does not have facilities for either eating or sleeping, no mezuzza exists on the doorframe. | Visitors may notice that the ARI Ashkanazi synagogue does not have a “mezuzza” -- the traditional marking on the doorpost of a Jewish building. Jewish law states that a building must have a mezuzza if people intend to eat or sleep in the building. Since the ARI Ashkanazi does not have facilities for either eating or sleeping, no mezuzza exists on the doorframe. | ||
− | + | The “bima,”, the area where the person leading the services stands, is elevated in the center of the synagogue. Although the synagogue follows the “Nusach Sepharad”/Hassidic prayer service, the placement of the bima follows the tradition of many Sepharadi synagogues, allowing the (male) congregants to sit in a circular fashion surrounding the bima. (The women’s galley is upstairs). The pockmark in the wooden bima stand is a remnant of a piece of shrapnel that flew into the synagogue during the War of Independence. At the moment that the shrapnel flew in, the congregant sitting closest to the door was bowing in prayer and the shrapnel flew over his head. | |
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− | The “bima,”, the area where the person leading the services stands, is elevated in the center of the synagogue. Although the synagogue follows the “Nusach Sepharad”/Hassidic prayer service, the placement of the bima follows the tradition of many Sepharadi synagogues, allowing the (male) congregants to sit in a circular fashion surrounding the bima. (The women’s galley is upstairs). The pockmark in the wooden bima stand is a remnant of a piece of shrapnel that flew into the synagogue during the | + | |
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The Ark where the Torah scroll rests is decorated with an intricate wooden carving, created over 100 years ago by a local craftsman. The carving depicts a crown, reminding congregants of the ARI’s teaching that the Torah’s crown comes to all who study and follow the Torah’s teachings. | The Ark where the Torah scroll rests is decorated with an intricate wooden carving, created over 100 years ago by a local craftsman. The carving depicts a crown, reminding congregants of the ARI’s teaching that the Torah’s crown comes to all who study and follow the Torah’s teachings. | ||
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Couple struggling with infertility come to the ARI Ashkanazi synagogue to sit in the shul’s Elijah’s Chair. During a circumcision the “Sandak,” the person holding the baby, sits in a designated Elijah’s chair. The ARI Ashkanazi’s Elijah’s Chair serves, when not being used for a circumcision, as a “segula” -- a good luck charm -- for infertile couples. Many couples report that after struggling for years with infertility, one visit to the Elijah’s chair in the ARI Ashkanazi produced the hoped-for baby. | Couple struggling with infertility come to the ARI Ashkanazi synagogue to sit in the shul’s Elijah’s Chair. During a circumcision the “Sandak,” the person holding the baby, sits in a designated Elijah’s chair. The ARI Ashkanazi’s Elijah’s Chair serves, when not being used for a circumcision, as a “segula” -- a good luck charm -- for infertile couples. Many couples report that after struggling for years with infertility, one visit to the Elijah’s chair in the ARI Ashkanazi produced the hoped-for baby. | ||
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