The “Magdala stone table”: its function and role in determining the liturgical furniture in the ancient synagogue

Abstract The discovery of low stone tables at Magdala and a few other sites in the Galilee Golan allows us to examine, for first time, this liturgical piece furniture used by several communities late Second Temple period centuries Common Era. This article defines purpose these based on analysis archaeological finds examination literary sources associated with Torah-reading ceremony conducted synagogues ancient Palestine. reading Torah throughout long was standing open scroll held raised hands. Our study demonstrates that table not intended be Torah, but rather functioned as stand upon which placed before ceremony, during breaks between readers, after completion ceremony.