Avir In the ruins of the Masada Synagogue
Avir is sitting on one of the benches along the wall of the ancient synagogue which served the Jewish rebels living in Masada before the Roman army finally captured this small mountain in AD73. It was a bitter-sweet victory for the Romans as the Jewish defenders decided to mass suicide rather than surrender and die, or worse, to be taken as slaves.
The synagogue comprised four tiers of plastered benches along the walls, as well as columns to support its ceiling. The hall measured 12.5 x 10.5 metres, and was incorporated into the north-western section of Masada. This particular synagogue which predates the destruction of the second Temple of Jerusalem in 70 C.E., is considered to be a good example of synagogues at this time.
The site was identified in 1842, but intensive excavations began in 1955 by Professor Yadin along with volunteers from many countries. Some of the amazing archaeological finds included an ancient ‘ostracon’ which is an inscribed potsherd. This example bears the Hebrew inscription me’aser kohen meaning ‘tithe for the priest’. Ostraca were common writing materials used mainly for writing receipts, temporary records or lists of names which had Hebrew lettering on them. Other articles found included fragments of two scrolls, parts of Deuteronomy and Ezekiel 37 (including the vision of the “dry bones”). These were found hidden in pits dug under the floor of a small room built inside the synagogue. Other small finds of artifacts, include pottery and stone vessels, coins and shekels. There were also weapons (mainly arrowheads), remnants of textiles and foodstuffs preserved in the dry climate of this area.
A heavy black ragged line has been painted on the back wall of the synagogue behind where Avir is sitting. This line divides the top section of the wall which is the restored part and below is the original wall found at the time of the excavation.