Near Chorazim in Mevo'ot HaHermon Regional Council, Northern District, Israel — West Asia (the Levant in the Middle East)
Chorazin's Synagogue
Chorazin's synagogue was built of hard, dark basalt stones, difficult to carve and engrave.
Despite this, the builders and artists managed to carve hundreds of ornamental designs and architectural elements, geometric and floral motifs, human and mythological figures.
Similar decorations were discovered in other ancient synagogues in the Galilee and the Golan, especially in Capernaum. The discovery of these figures - especially the mythological ones raised many Halachic and cultural questions.
Ancient Jewish art and architecture were influenced by Eastern Hellenistic culture, as demonstrated by the plan of the building, the gabled entrance and the decorations.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Architecture • Churches & Religion.
Location. 32° 54.674′ N, 35° 33.846′ E. Marker is near Chorazim, Northern District, in Mevo'ot HaHermon Regional Council. Marker can be reached from Northern District Route 8277, 2.5 kilometers east of Northern District Route 90, on the right when traveling east. This marker is located in the midst of the archaeological ruins at the Korazim National Park. Touch for map. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Seat of Moses (here, next to this marker); Decorated Column (here, next to this marker); Conch (here, next to this marker); Medusa (a few steps from this marker); The Synagogue (a few steps from this marker); Chorazin in Christian Sources (within shouting distance of this marker); The Synagogue of Jesus (approx. 3.5 kilometers away); The Synagogue of Capharnaum (approx. 3.6 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chorazim.
More about this marker. This marker is located in the Korazim National Park, in the ruins of the ancient Jewish synagogue. It is my impression that this particular ancient Jewish synagogue is very significant in both the historical and archaeological record of ancient Judaism, because several of the artifacts and structural elements that were found in the ruins of this synagogue are now on display in the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. Korazim (also known as Chorazin) is also part of the Biblical record, being a site that was visited by Jesus, as mentioned in Matthew 11:21 and Luke 10:13. It would be my guess that during His visit to Korazim, that Jesus would have been to an earlier version of this synagogue, that was most probably located on the site of this particular synagogue.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 25, 2019. It was originally submitted on September 25, 2019, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 200 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 25, 2019, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.