[Cz-L] Re: Stars of David on the palace of the Metropolitan of Czernowitz.

Miriam (Mimi) Taylor <mirtaylo_at_indiana.edu>

The Magen David became a Jewish symbol rather late in Jewish history.
Because it is a hexagonal design, which can easily be drawn using
a compass, many cultures have used it as a decorative design.
It appears particularly frequently in Arab and Moslem designs and
architecture.

The Palace was built for the Metropolitan of the Greek Orthodox Church,
The heir to the Byzantine Church and therefore it is entirely likely that
this is the reason for the appearance of the "hexagonal stars" - our Magen
David on the palace of the Metropolitan.

There are two other explanations, both less likely to be the main reason
for placing the stars as ornaments on the building, but both might have been
contributing factors, since at the time the building was built, the Star of
David was certainly much in use as a Jewish symbol.

1. The Metropolitan for whom the palace was built was Archbishop Hacman.
Hacman was a good friend of Chief Rabbi Eliezer Igel. The two of them
together designed the street plan for the city of Czernowitz.
I know nothing more about Archbishop Hacman, but chief rabbi Dr. Igel,
was a highly educated man, who had received his Ph.D. at the university
of Padua in Italy.

2. According to Julius Barasch, the architect Andreas Mikulicz, who designed
the palace adopted 3 Jewish orphan boys and educated them.

Shana Tova,

Mimi

> Dear Czernowitzers:
>
> I would appreciate hearing from anyone who can explain why there is
> circle of Magen Davids surrounding the base of the dome atop the former
> Palace of the Metropolitan, now part of the University. It is hard to
> believe it was purely a decorative motif but maybe there is more to the
> story.
>
> Also, if anyone has a photo of the Hauptstrasse looking north from the
> Ringplatz, I would appreciate your sending me a copy as a JPG attachment.
>
> With thanks and best regards,
>
> Simon
>
Received on 2006-09-20 19:02:01