Location: Kibbutz Heftziba (West of Beit Shean)
Subject: The Beit Alpha ancient synagogue
Reference: Sefer Yeshayahu Perek 62 Posuk 4
Written by: David Magence
The ancient Beit Alpha synagogue is located within Kibbutz Heftziba.0
As is often the case, there are actually remains of a number of synagogues built on the same site.0
The focus is on the 6th century synagogue, which was decorated with mosaic floors. The mosaics include a depiction of Akeidat Yitzchak, and an Aron HaKodesh which is flanked by menorot , lulavim, etrogim and shofarot. The middle section presents the signs of the zodiac, labeled with their Hebrew names. Perhaps surprisingly, the center of the zodiac contains a depiction of Helios, the Greek Sun God. Apparently, by the time the mosaic was made, the pagan origins of Helios had been lost, therefore it was simply an additional design.0
