Discovering Sardis: Ancient Synagogues Unearthed

Exploring Synagogues of the Jewish Diaspora through the Ages, today we find ourselves in Turkey. While modern-day Turkey hosts around 15,000 Jews, its past is steeped in rich Jewish heritage with significant spiritual influence. During the Holocaust, a remarkable twist of fate allowed 80,000 Turkish Jews to avoid the tragic fate suffered by the Jews in the Balkans, largely because Turkey remained neutral. After the war, most of these survivors emigrated to Israel and established well-known communities like Nachsholim, HaGoshrim, Kerem Ben Zimra, Yehud, and others.

Let's turn back the clock to the ancient city of Sardis in western Turkey. Back in the day, Sardis was home to a thriving Jewish community. The city's Greek name was "Sefarad," which some scholars believe is referenced in the prophet Obadiah's words: "And the exiles of this host of the children of Israel, who are among the Canaanites, shall possess unto Zarephath; and the exiles of Jerusalem, which is in Sefarad, shall possess the cities of the Negev." This isn't modern-day Spain in Western Europe, which was not inhabited by Jews at the time. Historians suggest this 'Sefarad' was actually Sardis in Turkey.

During that period, the area was known as "Asia," often referred to by historians as "Asia Minor" and by the sages as "Asya." Rabbi Akiva traveled to Asya to intercalate the calendar, an act forbidden by the Romans in Israel. Rabbi Meir also journeyed to Asya, where he ultimately passed away and was laid to rest. A notable incident during his stay: lacking a scroll for Purim, Rabbi Meir memorized and transcribed the entire Book of Esther, letter by letter!

In 1958, an expedition by the American School of Oriental Research excavated Sardis, unearthing the remains of a colossal structure adorned with stunning mosaics and marble, boasting around eighty inscriptions. This was the ancient synagogue of Sardis, dating back to the 4th century CE, during the Talmudic period. Never before had such a large ancient synagogue been discovered, stretching a remarkable 95 meters in length!

The synagogue was topped with an ornate roof supported by massive marble columns. Visitors would have found a fountain at the entrance for ritual handwashing. Columns of the bimah were carved with captivating eagles and lions. At the hall's end, a semi-circle arrangement carved in stone served as seats for the synagogue's elders, with donor names inscribed in Greek. Some benefactors were non-Jews known as "God-fearers." Mosaic floors displayed floral and animal motifs.

The synagogue was destroyed in 615 CE by the invading Sassanids, yet much of the structure remained, a testament to the vanished community of Sardis. A few decades later, a severe earthquake buried the building until it was rediscovered by archaeologists in the 1960s.

In 1965, part of the synagogue was restored, allowing visitors to glimpse the grandeur and splendor our ancestors invested in this sacred place.