In the Hollywood epic, Brigadoon, two hunters in the Scottish Highlands happen on a village, visible through the morning fog. This village appeared on none of their maps, and could only be seen on one day, once every hundred years. Like the mysterious Brigadoon, a magnificent Jewish village from the 2nd -8th centuries has been excavated, but to the amazement of archeologist; it is not mentioned in any Jewish or Christian historical sources. Here the mysteries of ancient Susiya only begin.
Situated some 25 miles south of Jerusalem rises the ancient remains of the synagogue of Susiya. This vibrant community, an estimated 3,000 people, was never destroyed. At some point in the 8th century, the inhabitants simply left. Their magnificent Synagogue on a hill above the city was clearly meant to recall the majesty of the Jewish Temple. Its highly decorated marble façade to the Bema and Torah Ark now stands in the Israel museum. As we enter its courtyard we encounter our the first mystery.
The Rolling Stone Entrance
The entrance into the courtyard of the Synagogue is via two massive rolling stones, clearly resembling rolling stones at the entrance to Jewish tombs. Was this simply a defensive measure to protect the worshippers, or some architectural symbolism for the worshippers? Perhaps both? Once inside the courtyard, worshippers were provided access to an escape tunnel leading out of the area. We traversed the tunnel despite its twists and narrow paths. Deep along the escape route, large rooms which could accommodate many are found. All of this raises more questions about the Jewish people who lived here.
The Immersion Pools
This community was founded shortly after the destruction of the Temple, perhaps in the 2nd Century. Though not appearing in historical records, they seem to have been a close knit highly observant community. Along with numerous representations of the Jewish Menorah, special places on door posts for the mezuza, many immersion pools were found, some 30 immersion pools, some of which are still plastered, and hold water in the rainy season. These immersion pools were not for taking a bath. They were necessary for ritual cleansing, especially for those who wanted to visit the Temple in Jerusalem. This was the kind of immersion that John the Baptist was calling Israel to perform in the desert, and which later developed in Christianity as the baptismal pools. And so our mystery deepens, why did a post Temple Jewish community want or need so many immersion pools (mikvaot)?
The Inscriptions
Now we come to the most amazing of the finds at Susiya, the inscriptions. While many Jewish communities in the first centuries spoke less Hebrew in favor of Aramaic, here we have several Hebrew inscriptions. This community clearly kept their Hebrew language vibrant. One incomplete Hebrew inscription even dates the building of the synagogue as the second year of the shemitah (seven year sabbatical) cycle exactly four thousand years plus from the date of the creation of the world. Because of a missing line the exact number following the four millennia has been lost. But now we come to an inscription which has caused some to speculate that these may have been a Jewish community who followed Yeshua as the Messiah
The Yeshua Inscription
Dedicatory inscriptions at the entrances of synagogues were common, but to find an inscription to one called the “comforter”, “witness” and perhaps “martyr” named Yeshua (Jesus) is not! Just past the great rolling stone is a beautiful floral embroidered mosaic inscription in Aramaic.
“דכירן לטב מנחמה ישוע שהדה מנחמה ש…”
דכירן לטב = Remembered for Good
מנחמה = The Comforter (paraclete)
ישוע = One named Yeshua (Jesus)
שהדה = A witness or one who dies for their faith
מנחמה = The Comforter
ש (נ?) That or perhaps the beginning of a name
Was this Yeshua simply remembered as a resident and benefactor of the 4th century Synagogue, or was he someone honored for a different reason. We might simply conclude that this “Yeshua” was someone from that Jewish community, were it not for the two unusual words on either side of the name. This Yeshua is called both “comforter” and “witness or martyr”. “Comforter” is a Messianic title in both New Testament and Jewish literature of the first centuries. But the plot thickens when we read the second inscription which calls this Yeshua a “shahadah”, meaning both a witness, and one who gives their life in faithful testimony – a martyr. The text then repeats the word “comforter” and trails off with the Hebrew letter “shin” (ש). Though the remaining inscription has been lost, the last letter could be the word “that” or the beginning of different name.
Conclusion
Some fifty years ago, archeologist Shmarya Guttman excavated the ruins of an ancient synagogue and village which whose inhabitants simply vanished from recorded history. The final chapter on who these observant Jewish community is still debated. Why a rolling stone architectural feature? Who is the Yeshua remembered at the entrance? Whether followers of Yeshua or not, their story needs to be told. Perhaps future excavations will reveal the answer to these questions.