Kfar Devora

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Kfar Dvora
כפר דבורה
Kefar Devora Mashkof.jpg
Region Golan Heights
Coordinates 31°49′25.5″N35°16′28.4″E / 31.823750°N 35.274556°E / 31.823750; 35.274556
TypeSettlement, synagogue
Part of Iron Age, Hellenistic period, Roman period, Byzantine period
Area2 ha (4.9 acres)
Height683 m
History
PeriodsBronze age
Cultures Jewish
Site notes
ConditionRuined
OwnershipPublic
Public accessYes

Kfar Dvora was a Jewish settlement during the Talmudic period in the upper Gilbon River in the Golan Heights. [1] [2] At the site, remains of a Jewish settlement, synagogue, a Beth midrash, 5 inscriptions in Aramaic, 1 in Greek, and one in Hebrew were discovered, which was a novelty in research, as it indicated the existence of a Beth midrash in the place. [1] Many decorated stones were also found, integrated into secondary construction and scattered in the area. [1] On the ruins of Kfar Dvora, the Syrian village of Daburiya was established, which is currently abandoned. Before the Six-Day War, the village was inhabited by Bedouins of the Na'arna tribe, who made secondary use of the stones from the ancient Jewish settlement for construction purposes. The village is currently located northwest of the settlement of kidmat Tzvi. [3]

Contents

History

In the village, archaeological remains have been found indicating a thriving settlement during the Mishnaic and Talmudic periods, including remains of olive oil press facilities, which were likely the village's main economic activity and contributed to its wealth. [1] [2] One of the important findings in the village is a unique lintel decorated with two birds of prey holding a wreath in their beaks, with the inscription:

”זה בית מדרשו שהלרבי [= של רבי] אליעזר הקפר”.

The inscription refers to Eleazar ha-Kappar, a Tanna of the fifth generation, who was active in Katzrin and its surroundings. The lintel is currently located in the Golan Archaeological Museum in Katzrin. [1] The lintel stone found embedded in one of the house walls Another lintel stone was found embedded in the walls of one of the houses. It is about a meter long and is decorated with an eagle holding a wreath in its beak and two fish beside it. It is possible that this lintel adorned the village's synagogue. [1]

In October 2018, a hiding complex was documented within the boundaries of the Kfar Dvora. The complex is dated to the first century BCE, with its use continuing until the first century CE. [3]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "כתובות יהודיות מן הכפר דבורה שבגולן". The Bornblum Eretz Israel Synagogues Website (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2024-06-05.
  2. 1 2 "בתי־כנסת קדומים - לקריאה נוספת:". kotar.cet.ac.il. Retrieved 2024-06-05.
  3. 1 2 "גיליון 135 לשנת 2023חורבת דבורה". www.hadashot-esi.org.il. Retrieved 2024-06-05.