FINIALS
If
crowns represent the majesty of the TORAH, then RIMONIM reflect the blessings
that accrue to its supporters. And indeed, the generosity of the members
of the SNOA has spanned the years in fine fashion. Crowns were one way
of giving thanks for an honor. RIMONIM are also gifts to adorn the TORAH.
Unfortunately, spatial limitations did not always allow the donors names
or the purpose to be inscribed onto the RIMONIM. In their monumental work,
“The History of The Jews of The Netherlands Antilles”, Dr. Isaac and Suzanne
Emmanuel list several donors who gave, amongst others, RIMONIM as gifts
to their congregation.
RIMONIM
are also known as “finials”, and like the KETER (or crown), they are placed
on the upper spindles of the wooden rods around which the TORAH scroll
is wound. RIMONIM is the Hebrew word for pomegranate, and these ornaments
are probably so called because they originally had a more spherical shape
reminiscent of the fruit. Since the wooden rods on which the RIMONIM are
placed are called EYTZ CHAIM (Tree of Life), it becomes symbolically appropriate
that the pomegranate- widely recognized as a symbol of fruitfulness, unity
and concord- was chosen to be the “fruit” on the “tree of life”.
 |
 |
 |
Pictured
are pairs of RIMONIM that may be considered as typical of the many RIMONIM
in the Snoa’s HEYCHAL. The basic form of these RIMONIM comes from the campanile
or bell tower. They are an early Louis XIV motif using a single/double
shell or scallop. Unfortunately, few have year or silversmith mark visible.
Most pairs are 44 cm high and may have been made by the same silversmith,
since some of them do carry the mark VH- for Pieter van Hoven (1658-1735),
- and an Amsterdam year mark “M”.
Based
on Dr. Emmanuel’s description of the heightened religious zeal during the
rabbinate of Chacham Jacob de Fonseca and the list of donations mentioned,
most of the Snoa’s RIMONIM came to the Synagogue sometime between 1764
and 1815. Some of the known donors are: David Lopez Laguna, Samuel de Joseph
da Costa Gomez, Jacob Hisquiau Arid, Samuel Hoheb and David Jessurun.
Experts
feel that the two filigree finials which have no marks, could have been
made by local silversmiths here on Curaçao, as this type of intricate
ornamental work was in vogue around that time.
In
addition to caring for the needy, the aged and the infirm, the membership
also saw to the glory and beauty of their SNOA by donating, on memorable
occasions, ritual objects such as these and others. Most are still in use
in our SNOA today. (ALP)
|
|
|
All Rights Reserved. |
