Synagogue Exterior

Synagogue Exterior

View looking down and west upon the synagogue that was built into the west wall of Masada.  The doors to the left (south) of the synagogue led to rooms in the casement wall where additional scrolls were found.


This building was originally built during King Herod's reign (37–4 BC) and was used as a stable.  It was converted into a synagogue during the Great Revolt (AD 66–73). Fragments of Ezekiel and Deuteronomy were found under the floor of the back room.  It is one of the few synagogues that date to the end of the Second Temple Period.