Rabbi Dan Segal Uncovers Ancient Mikveh in Christian Church Built Over Tiberias Synagogue

In a dramatic and historic visit, Rabbi Dan Segal, a revered Jewish spiritual supervisor, explored the depths of a Greek Orthodox church in Tiberias that was constructed atop the ancient "Kipot HaShlah" synagogue. This synagogue, originally built by Rabbi Isaiah Horowitz (the Shlah HaKadosh) in the early 17th century, had been seized by Christians in the late 19th century and transformed into a church.

Rabbi Segal was inspired by a dream in which his grandfather, the Shlah HaKadosh, urged him to redeem the synagogue. After nearly four hours navigating the dark corridors of the church, the delegation discovered remnants of a mikveh (ritual bath) beneath the building. Rabbi Segal confirmed the mikveh's authenticity, noting it contained the traditional forty se'ah of water, a significant religious finding.

Historically, the synagogue had existed for centuries, with roots possibly tracing back to the era of Joshua bin Nun, as attested by medieval Jewish travelers. The synagogue collapsed in the 1837 earthquake, and due to financial hardship, the Jewish community could not restore it. In 1869, Greek Christians bribed the Ottoman ruler to acquire the site, converting it into a church. Efforts by Jewish leaders, including Rabbi Nathan Adler and British consul Richard Burton, to reclaim the property were unsuccessful due to the community's inability to pay the demanded sum.

In 2006, Rabbi Segal's team, with the help of former Tiberias city council member Eitan Oved, gained rare access to the church. The visit was sensitive, requiring entry through a side door to avoid bowing to Christian symbols. The discovery of the mikveh was emotionally significant for Rabbi Segal, who attributed the finding to guidance from the Shlah HaKadosh in his dream.

Attempts to purchase parts of the church for Jewish use have so far failed, complicated by the original Ottoman-era legal rulings stored in Syria, a country with no diplomatic ties to Israel. The story highlights ongoing challenges in reclaiming Jewish heritage sites in the region.

The investigation and visit were documented by historian Israel Shapira and supported by Eitan Oved, emphasizing the importance of preserving Jewish historical sites and heritage in Tiberias.