The Ben Ezra Synagogue is considered the most important Jewish tourist attraction in Cairo. It is located in the Old Cairo district behind the Hanging Church.
The history of this synagogue:
This building was originally a Christian church called the Shaamiayn Church, but it was sold in 882 AD to the Jews, led by the Jewish scholar and philosopher Abraham Ben Ezra, for 20 thousand dinars.
This synagogue is the oldest synagogue in Egypt. It dates back to the 9th century AD.
In the 19th century, a huge cache of documents and the treasury of the synagogue were discovered, which recorded the transactions of the Jewish community in Egypt since the 11th century. These documents are preserved now at Cambridge University in England.
In the synagogue, there was an old copy of the Old Testament. It is believed that the Prophet Ezra wrote this copy by himself.
It is said that in the place of this synagogue was found the box in which the Prophet Moses was found as a child.
The design of this synagogue:
The current building dates back to 1892, after the collapse of the original building. This synagogue underwent many restorations and renovations.
This building is rectangular in shape in the basilica style. It consists of two floors.
The first floor is dedicated to men and is divided into 3 sections, the largest of which is the middle section. These sections are separated by steel bars, and in front of the podium, there is a Stella.- The second floor is for women, and the entrance is to the north.
The most important decorations of this synagogue:
This synagogue is decorated with arabesque-style decorations inlaid with seashell.
There are geometric decorations dating back to the Ottoman period, such as star patterns. As well as, there are floral motifs such as the lotus flower and the Star of David in the middle of the ceiling.
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