5 Klausen Synagogue |
Klausen Synagogue
Jewish Customs and Traditions
Part I: The Synagogue and Holidays
The main nave of the Klausen Synagogue
houses the first part of the exhibition, Jewish Customs and Traditions,
which deals with weekday services, the Sabbath and festivals. You are
first acquainted with the basic characteristics and sources of Judaism,
i.e. the Hebrew Bible and the Talmud. In the central space - the area
of the original bimah (platform) - is displayed an unwrapped Torah scroll
(the Five Books of Moses), the reading of which forms the most important
part of synagogue liturgy. The scroll is accompanied by its usual appurtenances
- pointer, mantle, binder, shield and finials. The vitrines in the central
section contain prayer books and ritual items used during weekdays and
on the Sabbath (prayer shawl, phylacteries, head covers, candles, spice
boxes). A prominent feature of the east wall is the Baroque Holy Ark
, in which wrapped scrolls of the Torah are kept. The area near the
Holy Ark is set aside for the synagogue and its appurtenances, which
include, in addition to the above mentioned items, a curtain and valance.
Special attention is placed on highlighting the symbolic relationship
between the synagogue and the Temple of Jerusalem. The vitrines around
the perimeter of the hall feature the High Festivals (New Year, Day
of Atonement) and the Pilgrim Festivals (Pesah, Shavuot, Succot, Shemini
Atzeret and Simhat Torah). Use has been made primarily of manuscript
and printed books and rare synagogue curtains for the presentation of
subject matter. The intimate space under the west gallery is dedicated
to the most important fasts and religious ceremonies, Hanukkah and Purim.
Particularly worthy of mention is the collection of Hanukkah candelabra
and Esther scrolls.
The
gallery of the Klausen Synagogue houses the introductory section of
the second part of the exhibition, entitled The Course of Life. This
focuses, in particular, on circumcision and the redemption of the first-born.
Exhibits that stand out include an illuminated manuscript of regulations
and blessings for circumcision from 1727 and decorated Torah binders
donated in honour of a birth. Another milestone in life recalled here
is the attainment of adulthood, during the celebration of which a boy
is declared a bar mitzvah (son of commandment) and a girl becomes
a bat mitzvah (daughter of commandment). Customs related to
betrothal and wedding are covered by a number of exhibits, including
illuminated wedding contracts and pewter plates serving as gifts for
learned grooms. Divorce and the halitzah ceremony are illustrated by
a bill of divorcement known as a “get”, as well as a ceremonial shoe.
The west gallery focuses on the Jewish household with emphasis on typical
ritual items - mezuzah and mizrah. Special vitrines are dedicated to
kashrut and ritual slaughter and to the specialities of Pesah cuisine.
© 2004 - 2008 Jewish Museum in Prague