Torarollen
Item
Country
NL
Name of institution (English)
Portuguese Synagogue of Amsterdam
Name of institution (official language of the state)
Language of name of institution
dut
Contact information: postal address
Mr. Visserplein 3, 1011 RD Amsterdam
Contact information: phone number
0031 206245351
Contact information: web address
Contact information: email
info@esnoga.com
Reference number
T
Title (English)
Torah scrolls
Title (official language of the state)
Torarollen
Language of title
dut
Creator / accumulator
Portuguese Synagogue of Amsterdam
Date note
14th century/19th century
Language(s)
heb
Extent
66 scrolls
Type of material
Textual Material
Physical condition
Good
Scope and content
The collection of Torah scrolls belongs to the Portuguese Synagogue of Amsterdam, the religious core of the Sephardic community of the city. The collection comprises 66 Torah scrolls. The oldest scroll dates from the 14th century and was donated by the congregation rabbi Uri ben Joseph haLevi. The scrolls contain both Ashkenazic and Sephardic scripts. Related to this collection are the silverware and textiles collections of the Portuguese Synagogue of Amsterdam, including silver ornamental towers and crowns, "ponteiros" (a yad to indicate the text on the scroll), and textiles to dress and protect the Torah scrolls.
Archival history
Until 2003, the collection of Torah scrolls was kept at the Portuguese Jewish Synagogue in Amsterdam. Since that year, the magnificent building, the valuable possessions of the community, the valuable ceremonial objects, and the Ets Haim library have been transferred to the Cultureel Erfgoed Portugees Israelietische Gemeente (Cultural Inheritance of the Portuguese-Israelite Congregation), which has been managed and operated by the Jewish Historical Museum since 2008.
Administrative / Biographical history
The Portuguese Jewish Synagogue (also known as Esnoga or Snoge) was built between 1671 and 1675 and designed by Elias Bouman, the chief architect of Amsterdam. The building is located at Mr. Visserplein, the heart of the Jewish Quarter, and was consecrated on August 2, 1675. The entrance to the main synagogue is off a small courtyard enclosed by low buildings housing the winter synagogue, offices and archives, homes of various officials, the rabbinate, a mortuary, and the Ets Haim library. The temple’s interior follows the Iberian-Sephardic pattern, with the benches placed lengthwise and a pine plank floor covered with sand to absorb dust, moisture, and dirt from shoes and to muffle the sound of walking.
From the 17th century onwards, Amsterdam developed into a centre of learning and Jewish studies. For centuries, Amsterdam was the centre of the Western Sephardic world, bringing forth rabbis, scientists, philosophers, artists, merchants, and bankers, who made an enormous contribution to the prosperity of the Netherlands from the Golden Age onwards.
The Esnoga survived World War II, unlike other synagogues in Amsterdam. The synagogue's status as a historic building and the efforts of local people safeguarded its building and collections during the German Occupation. Its first use after the Liberation was on May 9, 1945, when Jewish survivors held a service there. After the war the Jewish community in the Netherlands numbered just 20,000, roughly 800 of whom were Sephardim.
At present, the Portuguese synagogue holds one of the world's most important Jewish heritage collections. Its ceremonial objects, Torah scrolls, silver and textiles collection, prints, and manuscripts are of inestimable value. The Esnoga, together with the Old-New Synagogue in Prague, is the oldest functioning synagogue in the world.
From the 17th century onwards, Amsterdam developed into a centre of learning and Jewish studies. For centuries, Amsterdam was the centre of the Western Sephardic world, bringing forth rabbis, scientists, philosophers, artists, merchants, and bankers, who made an enormous contribution to the prosperity of the Netherlands from the Golden Age onwards.
The Esnoga survived World War II, unlike other synagogues in Amsterdam. The synagogue's status as a historic building and the efforts of local people safeguarded its building and collections during the German Occupation. Its first use after the Liberation was on May 9, 1945, when Jewish survivors held a service there. After the war the Jewish community in the Netherlands numbered just 20,000, roughly 800 of whom were Sephardim.
At present, the Portuguese synagogue holds one of the world's most important Jewish heritage collections. Its ceremonial objects, Torah scrolls, silver and textiles collection, prints, and manuscripts are of inestimable value. The Esnoga, together with the Old-New Synagogue in Prague, is the oldest functioning synagogue in the world.
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Author of the description
Maria Aires do Carmo, 2021
Linked resources
Filter by property
| Title | Alternate label | Class |
|---|---|---|
| Portugees-israëlietische gemeente | Collections (official language of the state) |