Ancient Treasures and the Dead Sea Scrolls

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AFTER THE DESTRUCTION OF THE SECOND TEMPLE

Emerging From the Same Ground
Jewish Synagogues and Christian Churches

When the Jews lost their central place of worship with the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE, they were forced to find alternatives.

It took more than two centuries for synagogues to reach the typical architectural form we know. These houses of prayer where people gathered to study and analyze the scriptures would become the centre of their spiritual lives. Close to one hundred synagogues, most of them dating from the 4th to the 7th century CE, have been unearthed in Galilee, in the Golan and in Judea.

The first churches were also established around the same period. Once the Roman Emperor Constantine I converted to Christianity in 312, Christians no longer had to hide for fear of Roman persecution.

With their roots in the same ground, Judaism and Christianity each gradually developed their own symbols.

Audio - Curator's Tour (Dr. Adolfo Roitman)

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