Overview

Take an easy walk through the Bet Alfa Synagogue National Park and see the remains of this 5th century CE synagogue that consists of a main hall with an ancient mosaic floor, a courtyard, a corridor, a second-story balcony and another room.

Marvel at the fine-workings of the ancient mosaic floor and note the three panels depicting the Ark of the Covenant (along with a menorah and other Jewish ritual objects), the Akeida – Abraham’s offering of Isaac and the 12 signs of the zodiac in Hebrew surrounding Helios driving his chariot through the sky. The mosaic is framed by four female figures in each corner representing the seasons as well as geometric patterns, fruit, birds and animals.

At the entrance to the synagogue there is an Aramaic inscription that the floor was constructed during the reign of Emperor Justinian I and another inscription in Greek that states the mosaic’s artists were Marianus and his son Hanina.

Afterwards, view the audiovisual presentation to learn about the making of the mosaic and daily life in the ancient village during 5th – 6th century CE.

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