Location: Motza (West of Yerushalayim)
Subject: The Old Motza Synagogue
Reference: Sefer Yehoshua Perek 18 Posuk 26; Gemara Sukka 45a
Written by: David Magence
The old synagogue of Motza is a bit west of Yerushalayim, just off Highway 1. The building was built in 1871 to serve as a hostel for travelers on the road from Jaffa (Tel Aviv did not yet exist) to Yerushalayim. The building was built over remains of a Crusader building. The synagogue was built within the hostel in 1905, and was in use until the 1929 Arab riots, when Jews were forced to abandon the area. The synagogue was returned to use in 1961, with the establishment of Lower Motza
Near the synagogue, archeological excavations have revealed remains from the First and Second Temple Periods, based upon which it is reasonable to assume that this was the site of Biblical Motza [Sefer Yehoshua 18:26]
The Talmud [Sukka 45a] teaches that during Sukkot, willow branches were brought from Motza to decorate the altar.0
Currently, the synagogue has a regular minyan on Shabbatot.0
