Discover Ukraine. Old Jewish cemetery in Sataniv, Podilia ~ p.#4

Today I'm going to talk about a rather unusual place, at least for Ukraine. Old Jewish cemeteries are some of the most interesting and, unfortunately, little known monuments of Ukrainian history.

Jewish cemetery in Sataniv, Ukraine

We call it also "Kirkut". On my 1st visit to Sataniv, I was told about it, but didn't visit it, and it was one of reasons why I went there again. And Jewish cemetery isn't something extraordinary for old average Ukrainian town. But this one is really special. So ... hold on!

The oldest tombstone (matzevah) dates from 1576! Also, considering that that Sataniv has long been a kind of "Jewish capital" of all of Podillia, many well-known and highly respected people are buried here. That's why, the monuments are not ordinal.

Jews have long lived in Ukraine. The first written mention of the city of Kyiv was found in a Hebrew letter of recommendation written in Hebrew by the Khazar-Jewish community of Kyiv.

At the end of the XVIII century, 900 000 Jews lived in the Russian Empire, and the Russian government established the so-called Settlement Line, a territorial area beyond which Jewish settlement was prohibited. So, no surprise that they were so many here.

Kirkut is situated on the opposite hill from the synagogue, separated from the town by a nameless creak. Traditionally, Jewish cemeteries were located in area that was separated from the town by a river or a creek, which played the role of Styx separating the world of the living from the world of the dead.

Priestly Blessing of Coens

This tombstone depicts the blessing of the Coen. The Coen clan is one Twelve Tribes of Israel. They were high priests and considered closest to God. The Coen were commanded to bless the people of Israel: "So bless the children of Israel ..." Yes, this mean: 1. standing, 2. - raising your hands to heaven.

You might ask: why are they still splitting their fingers? The people of Israel did not like the news, that the Coens will bless them. They wanted the Lord to bless them without intermediaries! Therefore, when the Coens spread their fingers, they say, "Most High Himself stands behind us."

Three hares run in circles

Each one has 2 ears, but at the same time it has no ears because the ears belong to two neighboring hares. The plot is interesting because it is a kind of an ancient puzzle.

The path of three hares began in Dunhuang in the world. It is an oasis city in the Gobi Desert, located in the Chinese province of Gansu. The place is known for two reasons. The first is where the Great Silk Road began. The second is the famous UNESCO World Heritage Site in Dunhuang, a very ancient Buddhist cave monastery in Qianfodong. The most ancient images of the "hare puzzle" have been found in the caves of Qianfongdong. (source)

Thus, the story appeared in China more than 2000 years ago, reached us and became the incarnation of the Holy Trinity. Similar bas-reliefs adorn medieval temples and coins of England, France and Germany. But at Jewish headstones this image is found only in Sataniv and the surrounding area. The hares here are for the three biblical patriarchs: - Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Double eagle and Hand holding a bowl

The double-headed (and ordinary) eagle symbolizes the Lord. And two heads signify His dualism: He loves and He punishes.

A hand with a bowl is a sign of Levi worshiping in the Temple, helping the Coens.

Lion fight with unicorn

Means waiting of the coming of the Messiah (Mashiach).

After King Solomon's death, the Jewish state split into Judea and Israel. The tribes of Yehuda and Benjamin were in Judea, and the remaining ten inhabited the northern kingdom, Israel. The kingdoms fought until King Sargon II of Assyria captured Israel and enslaved all its inhabitants. Since then, ten of the twelve tribes have been considered lost. (source)

The struggle of the Lion (the Jews) and the unicorn (Israel) in the bas-reliefs reminds of that ancient enmity and hints at the coming of Mashiach, after which 10 lost tribes will be found, and the Jewish people will reunite.

The bear with flowering branches in paws. This story is also widely known in Jewish art. The branches first separate and then connect over the animal's head. In this case, they symbolize first the uniting and then the uniting of all the tribes of Israel after the coming of the Messiah.

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Squirrels biting nuts near the symbolic Tree of Life - a sign that a person buried here studied Torah.

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The deer is a symbol of faith, of spiritual search. And doe depicts virginity, purity.

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The lion was also depicted on the graves of people named Leib (Lion).

The oldest matzevah had no pictures or ornament, only inscriptions.

In general, Judaism prohibits the portrayal of people. Therefore, information about the deceased, his origin, occupation was encrypted in various symbolic images. 100 years ago, any Jew could read this code freely.

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The remnants of Sataniv's Jews, who died during World War II, were transferred to the new part of the cemetery. Also, outside the cemetery is a mass grave of community members who died during epidemics.

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Original photos taken by me, H.Buchynska (c)

Also, it is my contribution to #Cemeteryphotos topic hosted by @melinda010100.

Here I put links to my previous posts of the series Discover Ukraine:
Discover Ukraine. Mystical Podilia, p.#1
Discover Ukraine. Mystical Podilia, p.#2 ~ Sataniv
Discover Ukraine. Sataniv: Old Mill, Castle and Monastery, p.#3

Have a wonderful day and thank you so much for a visit!

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