The synagogue was discovered accidentally by members of Kibbutz Bet Alpha in 1928, while digging irrigation channels for their fields. The synagogue facing Jerusalem has one of the most beautiful and well preserved mosaic floor (remained intact for 1500 years) discovered so far in Israel. The synagogue measures 20 x 14 m and consists of a courtyard (atrium), a vestibule and a prayer hall.
The Mosaic floor has three distinct panels. (1) The main part, near the ark are depictions of Holy Ark flanked by lions, birds, menorah and other geometrical designs. (2) The central section contains zodiac and the names of months in Hebrew and Aramaic. In the center is Sun riding in a chariot run by 4 horses and in the corners are 4 women symbolizing 4 seasons. (3) The third part of the mosaic depicts binding of Isaac by Abraham and the Hebrew words meaning "lay not your hand [upon the lad]".
A Greek inscription mentioning the name of artists who carried out the work as 'Marianus and his son Hanina' in the year and an Aramaic inscriptions saying "Mosaic was laid in the year...of the reign of 'Emperor Justinus' (517-528 AD) for the price of 100 measures of grain donated by the villagers" are also clearly engraved with the mosaic.
The Mosaic floor has three distinct panels. (1) The main part, near the ark are depictions of Holy Ark flanked by lions, birds, menorah and other geometrical designs. (2) The central section contains zodiac and the names of months in Hebrew and Aramaic. In the center is Sun riding in a chariot run by 4 horses and in the corners are 4 women symbolizing 4 seasons. (3) The third part of the mosaic depicts binding of Isaac by Abraham and the Hebrew words meaning "lay not your hand [upon the lad]".
A Greek inscription mentioning the name of artists who carried out the work as 'Marianus and his son Hanina' in the year and an Aramaic inscriptions saying "Mosaic was laid in the year...of the reign of 'Emperor Justinus' (517-528 AD) for the price of 100 measures of grain donated by the villagers" are also clearly engraved with the mosaic.
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