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Great Synagogue of Baghdad

Coordinates: 33°20′28.68″N 44°23′47.04″E / 33.3413000°N 44.3964000°E / 33.3413000; 44.3964000
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Great Synagogue of Baghdad
Arabic: كنيس بغداد العظيم
The Great Synagogue, undated
Religion
AffiliationOrthodox Judaism (former)
Rite
Ecclesiastical or organizational status
Status
  • Closed (as a synagogue);
  • Repurposed
Location
LocationBaghdad
CountryIraq
Great Synagogue of Baghdad is located in Baghdad
Great Synagogue of Baghdad
Shown within Baghdad
Geographic coordinates33°20′28.68″N 44°23′47.04″E / 33.3413000°N 44.3964000°E / 33.3413000; 44.3964000
Architecture
TypeSynagogue architecture
StyleMesopotamian
Date established597 BCE (as a congregation)

The Great Synagogue of Baghdad (Arabic: كنيس بغداد العظيم), also known as the Shaf ve’Yativ Synagogue or Shad veYativ Synagogue[a] is a former Orthodox Jewish congregation and synagogue, located in Baghdad, Iraq. Rebuilt several times, the building now serves as a Jewish museum.

The building is traditionally believed to stand on the site of an ancient synagogue built by King Jeconiah, who was exiled from the Land of Israel to Babylon in 597 BCE. It is said that material gathered from the ruins of the Temple in Jerusalem was used in its construction.[2] The ancient synagogue is reputed to accommodate approximately 20,000 worshippers,[1] while the current former synagogue and museum building is one eighth in size of the original building.[3]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Roughly translated as “the Divine Presence was removed and settled in this place”.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b "The Great Synagogue (Oldest) at Baghdad, Iraq". Diarna.org. Digital Heritage Mapping. 2015. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
  2. ^ Avishur, Prof. Yitzhak (Summer 2001). "Synagogues in Babylon". Nehardea: Journal of the Babylonian Jewry Heritage Center. Archived from the original on June 6, 2007. Retrieved May 29, 2007.
  3. ^ "The Great Synagogue". Babalon Jewish Heritage Centre. October 26, 2021. Retrieved October 7, 2024.