Shavuot at the New Synagogue in Szeged

Shavuot at the New Synagogue in Szeged: The Feast of the Giving of the Torah in Light and Colors

Shavuot, the Feast of Weeks, is one of the most exalted moments in the Jewish calendar, when we remember that the Jewish people received the Torah, the divine guidance, at Mount Sinai. This event is also immortalized in the breathtaking stained glass windows of the New Synagogue in Szeged, which were created under the spiritual guidance of Chief Rabbi Immanuel Löw in the workshop of the brilliant glass painter of the era, Manó Róth. When we look up at the Shavuot window, the brilliant blue stone tablets immediately catch our eye, symbolizing the purity and solidity of the eternal law. The clouds that roll around the tablets evoke the divine presence covering Mount Sinai and the mystery that accompanied the revelation.

Since Shavuot is also the festival of new bread and the harvest of first fruits, the window is rich in plant motifs, flowers and vines, proclaiming the renewal of nature. In the composition, we can also discover the biblical shittim tree (acacia), from which the holy desert sanctuary, the utensils of the Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant were once made (as well as the door of the Torah ark in the New Synagogue). The festive lights streaming through the windows remind us that the Torah is not just a legacy from the past, but a living guide that illuminates our everyday lives.

Important information for visitors: According to the rules of the holiday, the opening hours of the New Synagogue of Szeged will be changed as follows: today the synagogue can only be visited until noon (12:00), and tomorrow - 2026.05.22 - it will be closed.

We thank you for your understanding.

We wish everyone a peaceful, bright and joyful holiday, Happy Holidays!