Jewish Travellers by Adler Elkan Nathan;Adler Elkan Nathan;

Author:Adler, Elkan Nathan;Adler, Elkan Nathan;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Group
Published: 2014-08-15T00:00:00+00:00

X Jerusalem

On Wednesday, the 29th July, we reached the Holy City of Jerusalem, and when I saw its ruins I rent my garments a hand breadth, and in the bitterness of my heart recited the appropriate prayer which I had in a small book.

Now Jerusalem has no walls except a little on one side where I entered, and although through our sins it is all in ruins there are ten thousand Moslem householders and about two hundred and fifty Jewish householders. The Temple, may it be restored speedily in our days, is still surrounded by a wall. On the east side are the Gates of Mercy made of brass and embedded in the ground. The gates are closed and on the sides of the gates are Moslem graves. Opposite this is the site of the Temple of King Solomon and a Moslem building upon it. The huge stones in this building are a wondrous matter, and it is difficult to believe how the strength of man could have moved them into their present position. Near the sanctuary is a great vaulted building with pillars surrounding the large pavement which covers the Temple area. The circumference of the Temple seems about half a mile. On the western side of the pavement there is a place about three fingers high which is said to be the Eben Shethiah, and there is a great cupola beautifully gilded, about twenty or perhaps thirty cubits square. It is very high, and the Ishmaelites have covered it with lead, and they say that this is doubtless the Holy of Holies. On the border of the Holy of Holies there is a place about two and a half cubits high, and at its four corners there are stones to get up to it. Here there is a well of running water and near it the cupola is built, The Moslems only go inside after bathing five times, and they do not approach a woman three days previously. Many Moslem servants in a state of purification are there and they light seven lamps inside. I know, my friends, that there can be no doubt about this, because every year when the Jews go to Synagogue on the eve of the 9th of Ab all the lamps in the Temple Court go out of their own accord, and cannot be kindled again, and the Moslems know when it is the 9th of Ab, which they observe somewhat like the Jews because of this. This is clear and known to everyone without any doubt. On the southern side, inside the temple area, there is a large and beautiful house also covered with lead called Solomon’s College, and in the middle of the temple area there are about ten olive trees; and now by the King’s command they are building inside a place for him when he wishes to go up to Jerusalem. The walls round the temple area where it was broken down and burnt have been built up by the Ishmaelites, and it is now completely surrounded, although very bare.

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