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Gabi Laron

Synagogues too had dining halls, as can be seen in the remains of what the excavator has identified as a first-century C.E. synagogue at Jericho. Although it has been partly obscured by a later construction that runs right through the center of the room, the synagogue dining hall contained a three-sided continuous raised platform (highlighted) called a triclinium (meaning “three-couch room”). Unlike the models in the photo, ancient diners reclined on their left elbows.