Kamal synagogue of Yazd

Apart from Muslims and Zoroastrians, a number of Jews also live in Yazd, especially in some old neighborhoods of this city, including Yaqoubi Locality, Maryamabad, and some other cities of Yazd Province. Because of being engaged in such freelance jobs and professions as drapery, haberdashery, and the like, the Jewish community of Yazd gradually shifted to localities near the Yazd Bazaar like the Jame’ Mosque Locality. There are a total of 12 synagogues in this city, one of the most important of which is Kamal Synagogue.

Iranian Jews

The history of the presence of Jews in Iran goes back to more than three thousand years ago. During that time, Jews migrated to the western and central parts of Iran, and with the advent of Islam in Iran, Jews developed a close relationship with Islamic societies and they still participate in some Islamic rituals.

Presently, Iranian Jews live in several provinces of Iran including Yazd, have preserved their traditions in every part of Iran, and are free to hold their religious rituals. The Jews of Yazd speak a special dialect that has its roots in ancient Iranian languages. They have always been famous for mastering some medical techniques. In addition, due to certain considerations related to food consumption and personal hygiene Jewish culture promotes a healthy way of life. However, their achievements have not been recorded and documented, many Jewish medical heritages are at risk of being forgotten.

“Molla Or Sheraga”, whose tomb is in Yazd, was a senior Jewish rabbi who had moved from Sabzevar to this city and became the religious leader of the Jews of Yazd. According to the stories told by the Jews of Yazd, he was a man of extraordinary qualities and was respected by both the Jews and non-Jews. He passed away in Yazd in the year 1793 AD and every year - on the anniversary of his demise - people from different parts of the country gather at his tomb and perform certain ceremonies in his commemoration.

Synagogues of Yazd City

Out of the total of 12 synagogues in Yazd City, four of them do not exist anymore and two synagogues are not functional, but other synagogues are active and perform Jewish ceremonies by turn.

Synagogues of Yazd include Jochebed Synagogue (the name of the mother of Prophet Moses - it is located on Yazd Jame Mosque Street), Kamal Synagogue and Mullah Yusuf Synagogue (Mashruteh Street), Nizam Synagogue (Naqib Ashraf Alley), Molla Aghababa Synagogue, Hadashi Synagogue, Molla Eshaq Synagogue, and Haji Eshaq Synagogue (Jewish neighborhood near Chaharsuq), Eli Synagogue (Boq’eh Alley of Jewish Locality), Hakham Synagogue or Koshe Tawakkel Synagogue (Paperwork Alley), Elias Nabi Synagogue (in the vicinity of Enqelab St.) and Mullah Shlomo Synagogue (Rasti Alley of Jewish Locality).

Kamal Synagogue of Yazd

Kamal Synagogue is one of the oldest synagogues in Yazd and was built in the architectural style of the Safavid era (16th century). There are inscriptions in Hebrew script in this building. Keeping in view its historical value, this synagogue was inscribed on the list of Iran’s national heritage in the year 2002 AD.

The building of Kamal Synagogue consists of three sections: a summer house, a winter house, and rooms for keeping Torah. The porches of the synagogue are decorated with brick plinths. The azure color of these decorations has given the interior of the synagogue an eye-catching beauty.

An octagonal platform is built in the middle of the synagogue, using bricks, where the rabbi (Jewish priest) stands and conducts prayers. The presence of 9 Torahs, which are made of sheepskin in the Kamal Synagogue, are written in Hebrew, and date back to the Safavid era, is one of the important treasures of this synagogue.

Kamal Synagogue is one of the oldest synagogues in Yazd and was built in the architectural style of the Safavid era (16th century). There are inscriptions in Hebrew script in this building. Keeping in view its historical value, this synagogue was inscribed on the list of Iran’s national heritage in the year 2002 AD.