Jewish Consumption and Material Culture in the Early Modern Period

Description of the Sephardic Synagogue in Amsterdam, 1675
Limor Mintz-Manor
Introduction:
The description of the newly built Sephardic synagogue in Amsterdam appears in the
prologue to a collection of sermons, which were delivered during the celebration of the
inauguration of the synagogue in 1675. The prologue, that was composed by the
publisher David de Castro Tartaz, describes the circumstances that led to the erection of
the new synagogue and the preparations that were undertaken in order to fulfill the
project. The author describes the interior design of the synagogue and comments on
various aspects of the celebrations. In this account, as well as in other sermons in the
collection, there are several references to the resemblance between the synagogue and the
Temple in Jerusalem. Indeed, the synagogue's architecture was influenced by a renowned
seventeenth century model of the Temple, and this similarity conceals the hope of the
congregates for individual and communal redemption as "New Jews" in Amsterdam.
The original text (in Portuguese):
Title:
Sermoes que pregaraõ os Doctos Ingenios do K.K. de Talmud Torah, desta Cidade de
Amsterdam, No alegre Estreamento, & Publica celebridade da Fabrica que se consagrou
a Deos, para Caza de Oraçaõ, cuja entrada se festejou em Sabath Nahamú Anno 5435.
Estampado Em Amsterdam. Em caza & a custa de David De Castro Tartaz. Anno 5435
[1675].
Text:
Prologo a o Lector
[...] [p.iii] Toda a oraçaõ acõpanharaõ hymnos, & Cantos mais celebres, & por imitar o
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