The Israel Heritage Classroom
Thought is a strenuous art -- few practice it, and then only at rare times.
David Ben-Gurion
(1886-1973)
Reflecting the elegant simplicity of a 1st-century Galilean stone dwelling or house of assembly, this room's benches are patterned after those in the 2nd-3rd-century synagogue of Capernaum. The Ten Commandments, carved in Hebrew, grace the oak entrance door.
Grapes, pomegranates and dates on the stone frieze, copied from Capernaum, represent crops grown in the Galilee. On the window wall, an inscription discovered in the 6th-century Rehob synagogue cites the Talmudic laws governing the growing of crops each seventh year.
A scroll fragment in the rear case replicates the Dead Sea Isaiah Scroll segment which contains the prophesy "They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks..." Ancient wine jars flank the scroll.
The professor's table, based on one found in Jerusalem's 1st-century burnt house, stands before a copy of the only existing stone mehorah which served as a functional candelabrum. The quotation on the chair reads: "I learned much from my teachers, more from my colleagues, and most of all from my pupils."
Three segments from the 6th-century Dura Europos murals grace the chalkboard doors, Ezra the Scribe, reads the law; Moses brings forth water for the 12 tribes; and the sons of Aaron consecrate the Temple.
Oak benches bear the names of the 12 tribes of Israel. The floor mosaic replicates one in the 6th century Galilean synagogue of Beth Alpha.