“2102. MAHTA, OR INCENSE SHOVEL, BRONZE, 2 – 3RD.C. AD.FOUND IN JERUSALEM. THIS TYPE OF INCENSE SHOVEL WAS USED IN THE TEMPLE IN JERUSALEM TO REMOVE ASHES FROM THE ALTAR OR FOR BURNING INCENSE. IT IS FREQUENTLY DEPICTED IN ANCIENT SYNAGOGUE MOSAICS FLANKING THE TORAH ARK TOGETHER WITH THE MENORAH, THE SHOFAR, THE LULAV AND THE ETROG. “”And Aaron shall take a m a h t a full of coals of fire from off the altar?before the Lord, and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and?bring it within the veil (covering the Holy of Holies).”” Leviticus 16:12.”
Photograph by Zev Radovan
