The Avreitsh Synagogue
The Avreitsh Synagogue is named for
Rabbi Avraham Dov of Ukraine, who was also known as the Avreitsher. Rabbi Dov
was born in Europe and moved to Tsfat, where he became the leader of the community, in the early 19th
century. He died from the plague in 1840 and was buried
in Tsfat's ancient cemetery.
According to legend, during the earthquake
of 1837, Rabbi Dov gathered all of the men
on one side of the synagogue; the side of
the synagogue that did not collapse and was
spared. After
the quake, he helped to procure
funds for rebuilding Tsfat and the Avreitsh Synagogue, which was restored and is now open for Shabbat and holiday services.
The synagogue possesses 14 Torah scrolls,
one of which was read by the Avreitsher
and is only used on Rosh Chodesh and holidays. Some
of the other Torah scrolls were brought over from Iran over three hundred years ago and are kept in
beautiful Persian cases. Originally an Ashkenazic synagogue that operated in accordance with
the traditions of the Ukrainian town of Avreitsh
where Rabbi Dov had been head Rabbi for 40
years before coming to Tsfat, the synagogue
has adopted Sephardic customs since 1948.
There is a large wooden chair from Iran
for brit milot (male covenant ceremonies).
It is near the original sofa
that was used for the performance of these
ritual circumcisions by the Avreitsher himself.
Also intact are the original chair and shtender from
which the Avreitsher prayed. A new aron
kodesh was built to
accommodate the many Torah scrolls in the congregation's possession, but the original one used
by Rabbi Dov is still kept in the synagogue.
The walls of the synagogue bear plaques and
lists noting donations by both large and
smaller donors.
Sources: Ascent of Safed, Tsfat Experiences |