| Abuhav Synagogue | |
| Native Name: | he|בית הכנסת אבוהב |
| Image Upright: | 1.4 |
| Religious Affiliation: | Judaism |
| Festivals: | --> |
| Organizational Status: | --> |
| Functional Status: | Active |
| Location: | Abuhav Lane, Safed, Northern District |
| Country: | Israel |
| Map Type: | Israel northeast |
| Map Size: | 250 |
| Map Relief: | 1 |
| Coordinates: | 32.9691°N 35.4914°W |
| Architecture Type: | Synagogue architecture |
| Founded By: | Rabbi Isaac Abuhav |
| Year Completed: | 15th century |
| Date Destroyed: | --> |
| Elevation Ft: | --> |
The Abuhav Synagogue (he|בית הכנסת אבוהב) is a Jewish congregation and synagogue, located in Safed, in the Northern Director of Israel. The synagogue was completed in the 15th-century century and named in honor of the Spanish kabbalist of the era, Rabbi Isaac Abuhav. Its design is said to be based upon Kabbalah teachings.
According to tradition Rabbi Abuhav designed the synagogue and his disciples erected the building in Safed when they arrived in the 1490s after the expulsion from Spain.[1] [2] [3] Another legend claims that the synagogue was transported miraculously from Spain to Safed.[4] The synagogue was almost completely destroyed in the 1837 earthquake, only the southern wall containing the arks remained standing and exists today as a remnant of the original building.[3] [5]
The bimah has six steps representing the six working days of the week; the top level is seventh, representing the Shabbat. The Holy Ark has three sections and contain Torah scrolls traditionally written by Abuhav himself and Rabbi Suleiman Ohana of Fes, Morocco.[6]