Jewish Museum

We started the morning at the Jewish museum in Istanbul (I think it is the only one in Turkey).  It was small but well done.  It told of the history of the Jewish population in Turkey.  Jews were in Anatolia (old Turkey) as far back as 400 BC, but the Sephardic Jews came toTurkey back in 1492 when King Ferdinand of Spain kicked out all the Jews  (or forced them to convert to Christianity). The Sultan of the Ottoman Empire actually sent ships to Spain to provide transport to Turkey.  He said that Ferdinand was foolish to expel skilled, educated people who bring wealth and knowledge to his country.  The Sultan welcomed the Jews (and all other non Muslims) and put them under his personal protection in the Empire.

There are currently 18,000 Jews in Istanbul today (most of the total living in Turkey).  The Museum used to be a synagogue but closed in 1985 when the congregation got too small.  

The main floor of the museum with displays

Torah scroll holders.  The Torah consists of the first five books of the Old Testament.  It is traditionally written with a quill pen.  The reader will use a special pointing tool to follow along in the text so that is it not touched by hand.

This is the cabinet in the front of the synagogue where the Torah is stored.

This is an old wedding contract.  The man must make promises regarding the well being of the woman if they are divorced (kind of like a prenuptial agreement).  The empty space in the contract is filled in by a witness with decorative art so it cannot be modified after it is signed.