Sabbath in Dutch synagogue – Bernard Picard, 1725

“Maniere d’exposer la loy au peuple, avant que le commencer à la lire” [showing the Law of Moses to the…

“Maniere d’exposer la loy au peuple, avant que le commencer à la lire” [showing the Law of Moses to the community before reading], copper engraving made in 1725 by Bernard Picard for his “Cérémonies et coutumes religieuses de tous les peuples du monde”. Coloured by a later hand. Size (platemark): 16,5 x 21,5 cm.

We see the interior of a 17th century Dutch synagogue, men with their heads covered with a tallit are gathered around a chazzan standing on the rostrum and holding the Torah scrolls.

It is the Sabbath ceremony. First the chazzan shows the Law of Moses to the People and says to the community: here is the Law that Moses put before the Children of Israel. Then the kohen reads first and a levite follows, seculars come after. After reading, the chazzan raises the Book and gives the blessing in Hebrew.

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