Text: The Paintings at the Dura-Europos Synagogue

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Built in northeastern Syria in the 2nd and 3rd centuries, this is one of the oldest synagogues in the world. It is also one of the most fascinating. It’s remarkable wall paintings depict biblical scenes and, it would seem, are also based otherwise unknown or lost commentaries (midrash aggadah) from rabbinic sages.

Scholars believe that the wall paintings were created by two different artists – one using a hellenistic style, the other influenced by Persian techniques. Before you is a partial reconstruction (in miniature) of the synagogue’s central wall and Holy Ark.

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