Magdala Stone: The temple of Jerusalem

The Gallene site in Magadala was discovered in the middle of the first century CE synagogue, one of the early photographs of the Magadala Stone seven Branch Menora. Photo: Yel Yolwich, Courtesy of Israeli Authority Authority.

Imagine the first century Jew to live in the earth near your temple in Jerusalem, yet they are far away to visit repeatedly. What is the temple represented in their daily life? Did they also find God’s presence in the temple of Jerusalem alone or in the middle of them when they gathered in the synagogue? For people living in Daspura, unable to see the temple frequently, what kept the memory and centrality of the temple in its minds refreshed? In September 2009, an interesting stone covered stone could probably provide a signal at the west coast of the sea Galilee. Avoiding the symbols of the temple, quartzite stone was discovered in the middle of an ancient synagogue.

The so -called Magdala stone is a stone block that is erected in Jerusalem with the symbols of the temple, in which the temple is represented (halls, sanctity and Holi of Halls). Stone measurement with a height of 1.8 by 2 feet 1 feet. Almost is found in the middle of the synagogue, Magdala stone is believed to be a piece of formal furniture on which the Torah and other sacred scrolls were placed. But is it just one? Insensitive (A traditional holder for books), or has some deep importance?

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Different ideas are being detected. Dr. Raina Talgam, of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, who is the forerunner of research on Magadala stone, believes that the Magadala stone could identify the early Jewish movement in which the synagogue was considered a “minor temple”. The combination of the Scriptures can be considered as a form of spiritual worship in exchange for the formal sacrifice offered in the temple. This raises the question: Was there an evolutionary concept of worship in Daspura? Was there any idea of the presence of God among those who honored the scriptures? Can it be considered a form of prayer in the first century synagogue? Or will it be a Christian interpretation imposed on a Jewish item? Looking forward to research and reflection of Talgam on Magdala stone.

The front of the Magdala stone clearly shows the Jewish symbol, Menura (see the picture below). This is currently the oldest carved image of Menura, with seven branches of the other temple, which is found in the public place. Its tripodic base indicates the possibility that the artist saw the original Menora in the temple.

Menura with seven branches on Magdala stone. Photo: Courtesy of Israeli antiquities.

Menura, located on Magadala stone, rests on a decorated square. It is connected to two jars, perhaps represents the water and oil used in the temple. If a rabbi was standing in front of the stone, facing Menora, he would stand his eyes to Jerusalem in the south, as if he was entering the temple.

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On the sides of the stone, the viewer sees several pillars and another set of arcways inside it, which makes it a triangular feeling (see the picture below). Talgam has speculated that these monks represent the gates of Azra, or the wall of the prohibition around the sanctuary and the wall of self -prohibition. At the beginning of these monuments, a small item in a small item is the form of an oil lamp from the far away. Anyone can imagine that the temple passage is bright with the oil lamps.

Palm monastery on the side of the Magdala stone. Photo: Courtesy of Israeli antiquities.

Scholars still discuss the meaning of several items in the upper part of the Magdala stone (see the picture below). For example, the opinion of the two clusters of three hearts is different. Are they beautiful space filler? Are they Ivy leaves? Are they bread bread? The pearls, who are a professor of archaeological professors at the Convention College of the Galilee Sea, interpret them as bread bread that were presented at the showbrid table. Divide each heart into half a picture, making a picture parallel, the way the bread was offered on the bread table: two sets of six loaves of bread. Symbols representing the showbrid table look like the upside down cup. Finding this symbol on ancient coins gives this interpretation a reputation.

The top of the Magdala stone. Photo: Courtesy of Israeli antiquities.

Another interesting symbol dominates the center of the upper part of the Magdala stone: a six-foot rose. It is linked to the Pellet’s capitals through columns, which echoes the area directly before the Holi of Holi about this area of ancient Jewish historian Josephs. Rustet itself is a symbol of the original screen before the holy Holi. Josephs has decorated the curtain with flowers – perhaps with this very roset.

Surprisingly, Rose is a common Jewish image that is found on the sores, sarcasm and memorable tombs from the end of the second temple to the second century, considering the series, if it indicates the passage of “curtains” in God’s presence, just as it is in God.

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This brings us to the last sign that represent the deep part of the temple on Magdala stone: the holy of Holi. Two wheels appear to be suspended in the air with triangular shapes, which represent the fire (see the picture below). Early Jewish writings use this imagery to represent the heavenly circle. The wheel is interpreted as the lower part of the chariot, symbolizing the throne of God. The fire chariot, described in Ezekiel L1 and 10, has provided credibility to the symbol that represents God’s presence, which lives in the temple and the heavens.

On the back of a copy of the Magdala stone in the synagogue. Photo: Magdala project.

The fever and fulfillment of the symbols force the question: Do the Jewish people in Magdala believe that the presence of God was in a particular way when the Scriptures were gathered around the Holy One? If so, Magdala offers more than the first century archeology. This site also allows us to consider the confluence of Jewish and Christian history and faith.

Magdala is open to the public daily from 8:00 to 18:00 pm. For more information, visit www.magdala.org.

Jennifer Rustine Connects a visiting center and the Magadaleina Institute at the Israeli Magadala location. Earlier, a teacher has been helping in the development of the Magdala site since September 2014.

This story was first published in Bible History in January 2019

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