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THE ITINERARY
OP
BENJAMIN OF TUDELA.
/
THE ITINERARY
OF
RABBI BENJAMIN OF TUDELA,
TRANSLATED AND EDITED
r.Y
A. ASHER.
Vol. J.
TEXT, BIBLIOGRAPHY, AND TRANSLATION.
Hakesheth" Publishing Co.
927 Broadway, New York
9S1953
TO HIS EXCELLENCY
BARON
ALEXANDER VON HUMBOLDT
THIS WORK
WITH HIS KIND PERMISSION
IS MOST RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED.
CONTENTS
OF THE ENGLISH PORTION OF THIS VOLUME.
Bibliography
I. Editions in Hebrew only ... 1
II. Hebrew and Latin 9
III. Latin II
IV. English 14
V. French 22
VL Dutch 25
VII. Jewish - German 25
Tte Itinerary
Hebrew Preface 29
EUROPE.
The author leaves Saragossa 31
Barcelloua .31. 32
Narboone, Beziers 32
Montpeillier, Lunel 33
Beaucaire 34
Bourg de St. Gilles 35
Aries, Marseilles 36
Genoa, Pisa 37
Lucca, Rome 38
Description of Rome 39 — 41
Capua 41
Sorrento 42
Naples, Salerno, Amalfi 43
Bavento, Melti, Ascoli, Trani 44
Bari, Taranto, Briudisi, Otrauto .... 45
Vra CONTENTS.
Corfu 45. 46
Arta, Achelous, Anatolica, Patras, Lepanto, Crissa 46 Corinth, Thebes, Negropont, Jabustrisa . , 47
Rabenica, Zeitun, Walachia 48
Gardicki, Armiro, Bissina, Salunki .... 49
Mitrizzi, Drama, Abydos 50
Description of Constantinople . . 50 — 56 Rodosto, Gallipoli, Kilia, Mitilene .... 56 Chio, Samos, Rhodes, Cyprus 57
ASIA.
Corycus 57
Tersoos, Antioch 58
Latachia, .Tcbilee 59
Account of the Assasins 59
Tripoli, Djcbail 60
Bcyrut, Saida 61
Account of the Druses 61. 62
Tsonr (Sidon) 62. 63
Acre, Khaifa. 64
K'phar Thanchum, Ccsarca, Kakuu, St. George
Sebaste 65
Nablous, Account of the Samaritans . . 66—68
Mount Gilboa, Gran David (Gib'on) ... 68 Description of Jerushalaim (Jerusalem) 68 — 75
Beth-Lechem 75
Chebrou 76
Beith .Taberim 77
St. Samuel, Pesipua, Beith Nubi .... 78
Ramleh, Jaffa, Ibelin, Asdoud, Ascalon . . 79
St. George, Serain, Sufurieh 80
Tiberias, Tebnin 81
Gish, Meroon, Alma, Kades, Belinas ... 82 Damascus .... .... 83— 86
CONTENTS. IX
Jela'ad, Salkhat, Ba'albek 86
Thadmor, Cariateen 87
Hamah, Reiha, Aleppo, Bales 88
Kala' Jiaber, Racca 89
Charan, Nisibin, Jezireh ben 'Omar ... 90
Mosul and Niniveh 91
Rahabah, Karkisia. Juba 92
Chardah, 'Okbera ' 93
Bagdad . 93 — 105
Gihiagin 105
Babylon, Hillah 106
Napacha 107
Sepulchre of Tcheskol. (Ezekiel) . . 107 — 110
Al-Kotsonaath, Ain Japhata 110
Kufa, Sura, Schafjathib Ill
El-Jubar 112
Thema (Arabia) 112—114
Thanaejm 114
Telmas, Chaibar 115
Waset, Bassora, Samarra , . . , . . 116
Khuzestan, Shushan 117
Shushan 118-120
Rudbar, Holwan, Mulehet 120
'Amaria 121. 122
History of David El Roy . . . 122 — 127
Hamadan 127
Dabaristan, Isbahan, Shiras, Giva, Samarkhand 128
Tibet, Khazvin 129
Expedition of the King of Persia against
THE Ghuz . 130 — 136
Island of Kish 136. 137
El-Cathif, Pearl Fishery 137. 138
Chulam • . . . 138 — 141
X CONTENTS.
Khandy 141—143
Sea of Nikpha 143. 144
Gingaleh, Khulan, Sebid 144
AFRICA.
Nnbia, Assuaa 145
Chaluah 146
F^uhm, Mitsraim 147
Mitsraim, Tsoan 147 — 153
Old-Mitsraim 153
Belbeis, Sefita, Damira, Mahaleh 154
Alexandria 155 — 158
Damietta, Sunbat 158
Allah 159
EUROPE.
Sicily, Messina 159
Palermo 160
0.tania, Trapani, Rome, Lucca 161
Cologne, Germany 162. 163
Bohemia, Sclavonia, France 164
France 165
PREFATORY REMARKS.
In ihe present Translalion, which is as close as the genius of the two languages will admit, the vowels employed in the proper names are to he pronounced as follows:
a, Hke a in father
e, - e - hed
i, - i - fit
o, - o - over
u, - u - full.
ch, which represents n, like tlie eh in the Scottish Loch^ or the german Sprache. Kh stands for d.
The hebrew letter y has been pointed out by an ' before the engUsh letter, wherever it occurs.
xn
B. stands for Bar or Ben, the rabbinic or Hebrew for son.
R. for Rabbi, an epithet synonymous with and used exactly hke the english 'Master^ whe- reas Rabbi R. distinguishes a person, who is in possession of the highest clerical dignity in the congregation, or of such eminent talents as uni- versally to command the title of Master and Teacher.
The letters C. and F. attached to the va- rious readings in the Text, denote the first edi- tions of Constantinople and Ferrara.
Wherever a word has appeared to be su^ perfluous, it has been put into ( ), where- ever one has been added, it stands between brackets [ ].
All other matters of moment are discus- sed at length in the introduction, which prece- des the second volume of this work and to which we refer the reader.
THE TRAVELS OF RABBI BENJAMIN OF TUDELA.
BIBLIOGRAPHY.
The present work, ihough well known to the learned of the 13th, 14 ih and I5ih centuries, was not printed before ilie year 1543, when the first edition appeared at Con- stantinople; numerous reprints were called for in the course of time, of which the following is a catalogue.
I. EDITIONS IN HEBREW ONLY.
(Constantinople, Soncini 1543). in 8vo. 64 pages, printed in the rabbinic character.
This, the first edition, is so extremely rare, that notwithstanding the most dihgent search,
1
'J BIBLIOGRAPHV.
1 have not been able lo meet with any coni- plele copy. It has been in the 'Bibllotheque Royals' at Paris, but upon my inquiries after it — inquiries which met wilh the kindest al- tenlion — it could nowhere be found! The Oppenheim division of ihc Bodleian library conlains an incomplete copy of tliis rare book, being deficient of the first 14 pages or one quarter of the whole work. In consequence of this unfortunate circumstance, I have not been able to report the title as fully as I ought to have done, according to the rules of bibliography. Like most other hebrew books, Avhich issued from the early Constantinople presses, this is but a very poor specimen of conectness and typography. All the mistakes ot this 'Princeps' have unfortunately crept into the editions noticed below No. 3. 4. and 10., and have led the translators into error. The ra- rity constitutes the only value of this edition.
2. N"i"T'D HD CD-3 . V't p^:d >2-i b V nyjcD (Travels of R. Benjamin of blessed memory,
BIBLIOGRAPHY. S
printed at Ferrara in the house of Abraham Ben Usque — in the year 316 [1556]). small 8vo. 64 pages, in the rabbinic character.
On the title a globe in a square, surroun- ded by hebrew verses; the preface on the verso of the title.
This second edition is perhaps rarer still than the first, and having evidently been prin- ted from another M. S., is indispensably ne- cessary for a critique of the work. The text is much purer than that of the former, and in many instances its readings give a sense, where the former is too corrupt to be understood.
Unforlunately this Edition was unknown to the early translators, B. Arias Montanus and L'Empereur, who would have made less mista- kes and formed a more correct judgment of our author, had they been able to compare it with that of Constantinople. It forms the ground- work of the present edition and translation. No public hbrary in France or Germany, most of which I have personally visited or inquired at by correspondence, possesses a copy and the
4 BIBLIOGRAPHY.
only one now known to exist is in the Oppciv heim division of the Bodleian library at Oxford. 3. N^UDnn n3"'-;03 dd-j . ]^^23 ^di b^ nvjco . 1 li^ 'jnD^tn n^ ^y p"D^ fc^ nrj:? (Travels etc. Printed in the country of Brisgau in the year 343(1583) by the Siphroni) small 8vo. 32 pages, in the square character. This is a reprint of the first (Constanti- nople) edition, it repeats faithfully all the mis- takes of that 'Princeps' and has been alter'd in those passages, where in speaking of christians the former reads D^yinn Mhe misled' into Dniii^n the 'Nazarencs' probably because it was revised by christian censors. Some of the copies ap- pear to bear the imprint 'Friburg in Bris- gau' for thus do we find it quoted by diffe- rent authors. (Wolff BibUoth. Ilebr. vols I and III, JV. 395. ~ Rodriguez dc Castro Biblioleca de los escritores Rabbinos espanoles etc. p. 80) and it is almost certain that L'Empereur reprinted his edition from tliis, which is still preserved in the library of Leyden. All the books printed in Brisgau are rare, this is one of the rarest. — See a letter of thanks from Scaliger to
BIBLIOGRAPHY. 5
Biixlorff for a copy of this edilion in Inslilut. Eplsl. ilebr.f which although dated 1606 vvilhin about 20 years after its appearance, mentions the book as one of great rarity.
Ilinerarium D. Benjaminis Fr. M. Lugduni Batavorum apud Elzivirios. 1633. 24mo 203 pp. square character.
This edition was probably reprinted from that of Friburg — see above — and formed (as well as that quoted below No. 13.) part of the ^Respuhlicae Elzevir ianae'' a collection well known to the amateurs of those ^Bijoux' of the celebrated Dutch printers. Constantin L'Empe- reur, the learned editor, changed but very few words in the text and resei'ved his emenda- tions for the notes, ^vith which the edition quo- ted under No. 10. is ^enriched'.
ii?-n n3i m nN"i . NpnDi< /H^^^n /NDn""** to^iyn r\^b^r\ pi D^D^E) ^b^ CD-ii n'^r:h^'^b ts^t] idd T2;i<
on n,^ D''p-n"' d:\xi mcip^ D"'i<"T5p^ mnn -idd2 ijDi -i2i ijD f<aio nriK ]NDi Dn^ ^"ti^ nnii c^xnip
b BIBLIOGRAPHY.
DiD-i^ "i»>Dm ^iionn 'dd ^jj-noD 121DO 0:2; ^y Dipo
. p"d^ n^oi m^j nni d:^2 . :;""»« Q-n:D2;oK3 ddij
. ]v^':) -iD2;p n^:3
(The Travels of Rabbi Benjamin ihe Phy- sician (!) of blessed memory, who travelled in three parts of the world, in Europe, in Asia and in Africa. See this new performance of a thing, that has been before and has already been printed tliree times, and of all the three lliis is the most preferable, in as far as the first {Editions J are in many instances like a sealed book — for in most instances the na- mes of the places mentioned are not known, and the perusal of tlie book therefore is with- out pleasure, and here thou wilt find each thing and each place under its present common name and acceptation. Printed at Amsterdam in the year 458 (1698) in the house of Caspar Sten). 24mo. G5 pages.
This edition was printed together with the '//ope of Israel ' by R. Manasseh Ben Israel — the celebrated Rabbi, who exerted himself ^vith Cromwell for the readraission of the Jews into
BIBLIOGRAPHY. 7
England — and its pretended ameliorations are worse than useless; it is true the editor has translated many difficult hebrew words into Jewish german, but this labour is without any value, as it is founded not upon any critique but upon mere suggestion, and at best upon the translations of Arias Montanus and L'Empe- reur, w^hich being in latin, were very often misunderstood by tlie ignorant editor. The ty- pography however is a beautiful specimen of the Dutch press.
G. '131 r,^VOD
(Travels etc.) s. 1. 1734.
This edition, which I have not seen, is quo- led by Dr. Zunz in * ZeUschri/t fiir die Wis- settschaft des Judenthums' Berlin 1823. p. 130.
7. c«mix pm^ ]vy3 "iCDi: ; p^:3 ^3n b^ ni^cD
(Travels of R. Benjamin. Printed under the direction of John Andrew Michael Magel, for the use of his scholars at this celebrated uni-
8 BIBLIOGRAPHY.
versily. Alldorf 1762. printed by John Adam Hessel.) small 8vo. 50 pp. square characler.
A correct reprint of JNo. 4. of this list, con- taining even every mistake of its original. The editor, Magel, has published 14 dissertations on our author, and this edition of the ^Travels' is so rare that Mcusel doubted its existence. Sec his 'Lexicon deulsdtcr Schrijlsleiler' vol. X. 1810.)
8. 'l^Dahl p"p'2 CD13 . p^33 '3-1 b'2} nU'CO
. V'opn n2'2?D
(Travels etc. printed at Sulzbach542. [1782J) small 8vo. 32 pp. srpiarc characler.
A very poor reprint of L'Empereurs edition, upon wretched gcrman blotting paper, full of mistakes and without the least hterary value, being but a 'popuJar sixpenny Book.''
{). . . . Nv.p^i<t . \^^y2 ■'D-i m:;cD
(Travels of R. Benjamin. Printed at Zol- kicw in Austrian Gallicia)
An cdilion quoted by the celebrated scho- lar, the Rcvd. Rabbi Salomon L. Rapoport, in his geograpliical ]n'eface to Shalom Cohen's Kore Haddoroth (Warsaw 1838). I have not
BIBLIOGRAPHY. U
been able to procure this reprint, which the Revd. Rabbi in a letter to me calls 'a com- mon edition', but which appears to contain some various readings. Several of these occur in the few quotations made use of in the above- menlion'd preface, or ralher essay, which as weU as all the other papers we possess from the pen of the Revd. Rabbi, prove him to be the first hebrew scholar and critic of Europe. I am proud to say that both my translation and my notes have been enriched by his kind as- sistance, for which I here publicly render my best acknowledgments.
II. HEBREW AND LATIN.
10. . p^:n '31 b^ m:;DD
Itinerarium D. Benjaminis cum versione et notis Constantini L'Empereur ab Oppyck S. T. D. et S. L. P. in acad. Lugd. Batav. Lugd. Batavorum. Ex officina Elzeviriana. 1633. small 8vo. of 34 (unnumber'd) and 234 (num- bered) pages.
This edition, as far as the text and trans- lation are concem'd is composed of Nos. 4 and
10 BIBLIOGRAPHY.
12 of this list J the dissertation and the notes contain a vast deal of antiquated learning.
In his ^Di8sertatio ad Lectorem' L'Empe- reur speaks of Arias Montanus' translation in terms of contempt, but upon a nearer examination it will be found that L'Empereur made more mistakes, than he ought to have done having such a translation before him. Renaudot's judg- ment of both editors cannot be called too se- vere ; he says in speaking of the Text : *Le Juif
Benjamin n'est pas un Auteur mespri-
sable, comme Tout voulu faire croire quelques S^avants qui ne Tont pas enlendu, a la teste desquels il faut mcltre ceux qui entreprirent de le traduire, Arias Montanus, et apres luy Con- stantin L'Empereur. lis avoient travaille Tun et Tautre, sur I'e'dition faile a Constantinople, qui estant un peu fautivc, et assez peu nelle, pou- voit embarasser ceux qui ne s^avaient pas la matiere. Arias Montanus fit des fautes enormes dans sa traduction, que le traducteur Hollan- dois n'a pas apperceiies : et Tun et I'autre ayant mal leu plusieurs noms propres de villes, de peuples, el de provinces, en onl forme d'ima-
BIBLIOGRAPHY. 11
ginaires qui ne furent jamais', and of the No- tes: 'A. Montanus a laisse a ses lecleurs le som de developper ces difficultez: mais L'Em- pereur, voidant esclaircir son Auleur, a joint l\ sa traduclion, des notes chargees de citations Arabes el Hebraiques enlierement inuliles. Car elJes ne sont pas tire'es des Escrivains origi- naux, ni des Geographes ou Historiens dont il ne connoissoit aucun, sinon la Geographic de Nubie, el EIniacin, que souvent il n'a pas en- tendus.' Anciennes Relations des Indes et de la Chine de deux Voi/ageurs Mahometans qui y allerent dans le ueuvieme siecle^ traduites d'Arahe: avec des Remarques sur les prin^ cipaux eudroits tie ces Relations. Paris 17 iS. Preface, pag. xxi. et xxii.
III. LATIN.
11. Itinerarium Benjamini Tudelensis: in quo Res Memorabiles, quas ante quadringentos an- nos totum fere terrarum orbem notalis itineri- bus dimensus vel ipse vidit vel a fide dignis suae aetalis hominibus accepit, breviler atque
12 BIBLIOGRAPHY.
dilucide describimlur ; ex Hebraica Latinum fac- tum Bened. Aria Monlano Inlerprele.
Anlwerpiae. ex officina Chr. Planlini Archilypographi regii. MDLXXV. The celebraled Arias Monlanus was ihe firsl lo inlroduce ihis work lo ihe learned Chrislians, wlio although ihey mighl understand the scrip- ture hebrew were strangers to that style, which is called the rabbinic, and ia which these tra- vels are written. In many instances he has rather guessed at than faithfully translated the text, but nothwithstanding this, his labours de- serve respect, and I have found his suggestions in many instances nearer the truth llian those of later translators.
12. Ilinerarium Benjaminis. Lat. reddilum Lugd. Batav. 1633. 24mo.
This neat httle volume, which forms part of the ^Respubhcae' is one of, if not the rarest of that series. The text is that of No. 10. of this hst, and in consequence of its correctness and convenient form it has become a deside- ratum with students and collectors of books.
13. Ilinerarium Benjaminis Tudelensis ex
BIBLIOGRAPHY. 13
Versione Benedicli Ariae Montani. Subjeclae sunt descriptiones Mechae et Medinae — Al- nabi ex ilmerariis Ludovicii Vartomanni et Jo- hannis Wildii. Praefixa vero Dissertatio ad Lectorem, quam suae editioni praemisit Con- stantinus L'Empereur et noiinuUae ejusdem no- lae. Helmsiadi in typographeo Calixtino excu- ditHenningus IMullerus IMDCXXXVI. small 8vo.
This little volume contains besides Monta- nus' translation the extracts mention'd in the above title. It is curious, allhough there is very little new matter in it. The editor having pre- ferred Arias Montanus' to L'Empereur's ver- sion, has given a complete list of all the phra- ses in which these two translations differ, and in this book the student possesses all that had been ^vritlen on the subject in latin, do>vn to the year of its pubHcation
14. Benjaminis Tudelensis Itinerarium ex Versione Benedicli Ariae Montani. Subjectae sunt Descriptiones Mechae et Medinae — Al- nabi. Ex Itinerariis Ludovici Vartomanni et Johannis Wildii. Praefixa vero Dissertatio ad Lectorem, quam suae editioni praemisit Con-
14 BIBLIOGRAPHY.
slanlinus L'Empereur et nonnullae ejusdem No- tae. Lipsiae apud Joann. Michael. Ludov. Teub- ner. MDCCLXIV. 8vo.
This is a coirecled reprint of all the con- Icnts of the volume noticed just now under Mo. 13. The typography of this editon is in- finitely superior to that of its predecessor.
IV. ENGLISH.
15. The Peregrinations of Benjamin the Sonne of Jonas a Jew, written in Hebrew, translated into Latin by B. Arias Montanus. Discouering both the state of the Jews and of the world, about foure hundred and Sixlie yee- res since.
For this first enghsh translation see: Pur- chas's Pilgrimes, London 1625, folio, vol. II. Liv. 9. Chap. 5. p. 1437, it is divided into 5 Paragraphs.
IG. The Travels of R. Benjamin, the Son of Jonas of Tudela, through Europe, Asia and Africa, from Spain to China, from 1160 to 1173. From 4he Latin Versions of B. A. Montanus and
BIBLIOGRAPHY. 15
Constanline TEmpereur, compared with olher Translations into different Languages.
This extract of the Itinerary will be found in Harris's collection of voyages and travels. Lon- don 1744—8. fol. vol.1, p. 546 to 555, and the introduction which is prefixed as well as the notes are not devoid of interest. The editor treats 1, of the author of the work and of the several editions and translations of it; 2, of the objections that have been made to the cre- dit of the author and the true state of the ques- tion; he then goes on to give an extract of the itinerary and concludes by ^Remarks and Observations on the foregoing Travels.' The following note, which \vill be found at p. 554, let- ter g, will at once show the spirit of the edi- tor. *It is very clear from a multitude of cir- cumstances, that our author chiefly intended this work to celebrate his o\vn Nation, to pre- serve an account of the different places m which they were settled, and to do all in his Power to keep up their Spirits under their Captivity, by putting them in mind of the coming of the Messiah. I must confess I consider this in
16 BIBLIOGRAPHY.
a different Light from most of the Critics, for I do not conceive that a man's loving his coun- trymen ought to prejudice him in the opinions of his readers, and though it may possihly be- get some Doubts as to the Fidehly of his Re- lations with regard to the Jews, yet I do not see how this can with justice be extended to ihe other Parts of this Book.' We very much regret that Mr. Harris neither understood he- brew nor gave a complete translation of our author, as we have reason to beheve, that this would have made that part of the present edi- tion superfluous, and would have gone far to reestablish the authority of the book.
16. Travels of Rabbi Benjamin, Son of Jonah of Tudela:
Through Europe, Asia and Africa, from the ancient Kingdom of Mavarre, to the Frontiers of China. Faithfully translated from the Ori- ginal Hebrew and enriched with a Dissertation and Notes, Critical, Historical and Geographi- cal. In which the true Character of the Au- thor and Intention of the Work, are impar- tially (!) considered.
BIBLIOGRAPHY. 17
By the Rev. R. Gerrans, Lecturer of Saint Catherine Coleman, and Second Master of Queen Elisabeths Free Grammar - School, Saint Olave, Southwark.
This author flourished about the year 1160 of the Christian Aera, is highly prized by the Jews and other Admirers of Rabbinical Lear- ning; and has frequently been quoted by the greatest OrientaUsts that this or any other na- tion ever produced, but was never before (to the Editors Knowledge) wholly translated into English, either by Jew, or Gentile. London MDCCLXXXIV. 8vo.
The author of this edition pretends both on the title and in the course of tlie work, that he translated it 'out of the Hebrew' and that his is 'a most faithful translauon' and this as- sertion has induced Dr. Chalmers in the Bi- ograpliical Dictionary and Mr. Lowndes in the Bibliographers Manual to slate that this is re- ally the case, but an examination of the work >vill clearly prove that Mr. Gerrans understood very Httle if any thing of hebrew, and tliat all his learning was derived from B. Arias Mon-
18 BIBLIOGRAPHY.
tanus, L'Empereur and Barralier. He denies having seen the latter work (quoted below No. 19) before he had printed the first chap- ters, but the very division into chapters, which is to be found in none of the originals and which was first introduced by Barratier proves the contrary, and the more strongly so as his and B's chapters are exactly similar. The dis- sertation at the head of the work is a mere abridgement of Barratier's second volume, and those passages, which being rabbinic and not understood, were wrong translated by Barratier have been 'faithfully' transcribed by Mr. Gerrans and are in many instances complete nonsense. The following may serve as specimen of Mr. Gerrans' critical tact and of his abilities as a translator. R. Benjamin , in speaking of the city of Lunel, mentions as usual several lear- ned jews; a Rabi Asher 'veiy learned in the law' '3-11 /iD^j n^D •'3-1 Dim iiDbr\2 br^ii nsn Kim,,
the literal translation of which runs as follows ; 'and he is a great proficient in the Talmud,
BIBLIOGRAPHY. 19
and (there are also) Rabbi Moshe his brother in law and R. Sh'muel the minister, and R. Sh'lomo Cohen (a descendant of Aron)' Mr. Gerrans however translates : ^ This man is well skilled in the Talmudic writings. Here you li- kewise meet with that great R. Moses Gisso (!) and R. Samuel (Hhasan) R. Salomon (13) the Priest' etc. — In the note (13) he continues as follows : 'He is commonly called by the Jews 'K?''") i. e. R. Salomon Jarchi (or rather Jera- chi) from the City of Lunel wliich takes its
name from m' Jareach , the Moon He
died A. D. 1105, together with his Disciple, who composed those Prayers called nitno or the Circle, which contain many bitter Invecti- ves against Christians in general, and the Church of Rome in particular. Tliis is one of Benja- mins Enors in Chronology, for "'K^'n was dead long before.' — - There are almost as many errors as words in this passage! — Gisso, his brother in law — he was ignorant enough to consider a proper name. Chasan — Mi- nister, he explains in a note to be sometimes a reader and sometimes an exculioncr! Co-
20 BIBLIOGRAPHY.
hen — an appellation borne by the descendants of Aron even to this day, he translates priest and to crown all, Mr. Gerrans accuses Benja- min of an error in chronology, because he was ignorant enough to suppose that by a cer- tain R. Salomon Cohen, our author could have meant R. Salomon Jilschaki! It requires igno- rance such as Mr. Gerrans alone could boast of to suppose any thing of the kind, for 1) Ra- shi was no Cohen and only the descendants of Aron bear that appellation, 2) Rashi did not bear the apellation of Jarchi, altho' the ini- tials of his name were thus explained by Bux- torff — 3) Rashi did not live at Lunel but at Troyes or Luistre — 4) The "inno (Machazor) or book of common prayer, the liturgy of the jews, was composed many years before Rashi's lime — 5) The jews never dared to introduce any * bitter invectives' against the church of Rome and would have been very foohsh to do so, as that church yielded them better protection than any other authority, and a man who could make mistakes of this kind dares to accuse Benjamin of ignorance, super-
BIBLIOGRAPHY. 21
slilion, falsehood, llie very basest of vices he can possibly imagine!
In ihe course of this Iranslalion we shall point out a few more of tlie grossest mistakes committed by IMr. Gerrans, and we consider lliis rather a duty, as his has been unfortunately for more than 50 years the only edition acces- sible to the english public.
17. The Travels of R. Benjamin of Tu- dela from the Latin of B. Arias Montanus and Conslanlin L'Empcrour compared with other Translations into different Languages.
This abridgemeni, which will be found in Pinckcrlons ^General Collection of the best and most interesthig Voyages and Travels of the world.' London 1808—14. 4lo. Vol. VII. con- tains such passages only as appear to have been of interest to the editor. IMr. Pinkerton concludes his extracts by slaling, that one of the most remarkable things to be learned out of ihis work is the circumslance, that a person could travel so far at the time; he allowes Rabbi Benjamin to have been an able judge of what he saw, and doubts not the veracity of
22 BIBLIOGRAPHY.
the travels. Mr. P. has enriched this abridg- ment by some very valuable remarks, of which we shall avail ourselves in our volume of notes.
V. FRENCH.
18. Voyage du celebre Benjamin, au tour du monde, commence Tan MCLXXHI (sic) con- tenant une exacle et succincte Description de ce qu'il a vu de plus remarquable, dans presque toules les parlies de la Terre; aussi bien que de ce qu'il en a apris de plusieurs de ses Contemporains dignes de foi. Avec un detail, jusques ici inconu, de la Conduite, des Sina- gogues, de la Demeure et du JN ombre des Juifs et de leurs Rabins, dans lous les endroiis ou il a ete etc. dont on aprend en meme tems Tetat ou se trouvoient alors diferentes Nations avant I'agrandissement des Turcs.
Ecrit premierement en Hebreu par Tauleur de ce Voyage ; traduit ensuite en Latin, par Be- noit Arian Monlan: et nouvellement du La- tin en Fran9ois. Le tout enrichi des Notes, 'pour I'explication de plusieurs passages.
The above title quoted at lenglh informes the
BIBLIOGRAPHY. 23
reader of the sources of this Iranslalion, which will be found lo occupy 74 pages 4lo. of vol 1. in Bergeron's Collection de Voyages, fails prin- cipalement en Asie, dans le xii - xin - xiv et XV Siecles, a la Haye 1735, 2 vols. 4lo. The notes are of no value, nor is the map which accompanies this poor piece of work.
19. Voyages de Rabbi Benjamin fils de Jona de Tudele en Europe, en Asie et en Afrique de- puis TEspagne jusqu'a la Chine. Ou Ton Irouve plusieurs choses remarquables concemant I'Hi- sloirc et la Geographic et parliculierement I'elat des Juifs au douzienic siecle. Traduits de THebreu et enrichis de notes et de Dis- sertations Historiques et Criliques sur ces Vo- yages. Par J. P. Barralier. Etudiant en Theo- logie. A Amsterdam, aux depens de la Com- pagnie. 1734. 2 vol. small 8vo.
Vol. I. contains the voyage and the notes. Vol. n. the 8 dissertations menlidn'd in the lille. Wilh respect to the value of the work I can do no belter than quote Gibbon's words (Decline and Fall, C7m/>. LIIL: 'The hebrew text has been translated into french by that
24 BIBLIOGRAPHY.
marvellous Child Barralier, who has added a volume of crude learning' ! It is hardly worth while, here to enter into the question whether young Barratier made the translation without the aid of some more experienced scholar, but it is to be regretted that even a child should have been biassed by his teachers against all persons pro- fessing another creed than himself. From his notes it appears that the testimony of roman catholics and jews were suspected by him be- cause of their reh'gious belief and it will be no difficult task to prove that his suspicions generally arise from ignorance only.
20. Voyages de Benjamin de Tudelle aulour du monde commence Tan 1173. De Jean du Plan-Carpin en Tartaric, du Frere Ascelin et de ses compagnons vers la Tartaric. De Guil- laume de Rubruques en Tartaric et en Chine en 1253 suivi des Additions de Vincent de Beauvais et de THistoire de Guillaume de Nau- ges, pour TEclaircissement des precedenles Vo- yages. Paris, imprime aux Frais du Gouver- nement pour procurer du Travail aux ouvriers Typographes. Aout 1830. in 8vo.
BIBLIOGRAPHY. 25
A reprint of No. 18, and curious only on account of the occasion, which procured Master Benjamin the honour of being called forth again from oblivion!
VI. DUTCH.
21. De Reysen van R. Benjamin Jonas Tu- delens. In de drie Deelen der Werelt. Int Nederduyts overgeschrieben door Jan Bara. Amsterdam, Jonas Rex. 1G66. 24mo. 117 pp.
This translalion having been made from L'Empereurs lalin version offers nothing new or valuable to tlie crilical reader.
VIII. JEWISH - GERMAN.
22. o^l:bD1^^ p-'^D >nn pD ^m i<n ]^n ^ri
(These are the voyages of R. Benjamin Tudelens the physician (!) which he has tra- velled through three corners of the world). Amsterdam 451 (1691) 8vo.
This translation by Chaim Ben Jacob was made from L'Empereurs text, and allhough the
2
20 BIBLIOGRAPHY.
edilor was a jew, he was loo illilerale lo cor- rect any of ihe errors of L'Empereur, nor does he pretend to any leaming; but avows that he printed the book merely as a popular treatise for the women and children of the dutch jews, who speak a dialect of their own, mixed with german and hebrew words. 23. . 'iDi ^rn «n ^'^ ^^^t
(These are the Voyages etc.)
Francfort on the Mayne 471. (1711) 8vo.
A mere reprint of the former edition and consequently as worthless in a critical point of view — .
It is a curious fact that the Germans, who have written on every subject and have trans- lated almost every thing from Aristotle to Ni- cholas Nickleby, have no edition of these tra- vels, nor have we been able to trace any Swe- dish, Danish, Italian or Spanish translation.
THE TRAVELS OF RABBI BENJAMIN OF TUDELA.
HEBREW PREFACE.
Tins book conlains ihe reports of Rabbi Benjamin the son of Jonah, of blessed me- mory % of Tiidela in ihe kingdom of Navarre. This man travelled through many and distant countries, as related in this account and wrote down in every place whatever he saw or what was told him by men of integrity, whose na- mes were known in Spain.
Rabbi Benjamin also mentions some of the principal men in the places he visited and when he returned he brought tliis report along with him to the country of Castile in the year 033 (1173).
a 'Of blessed memory* (abridged o. b. m. iu the course of this work) is an expression generally added by Jews when mentioning the 'honour'd dead'. Sec Proverbs X. 7.
30
The abovemenlion'd Rabbi Benjamin was a man of wisdom and understanding and of much information; and after strict inquiry, his words were found to be true and correct, for he was a true man.
TRAVELS OF
RABBI BENJAMIN
OF BLESSED MEMORY.
Thus says R. Benjamin B. Jonah of bles- sed memory:
I first set out from the city of Saragossa and proceeded down the river Ebro to Tortosa.
Two days journey brought me to the an- cient city of Tarragona, which contains many cyclopaean and pelasgic remains, and similar buildings are found nowhere else in the whole kingdom of Spain; the city stands on the coast. Two days from thence lies Barcellona, in which place there is a congregation of wise, learned and princely men, for instance R. She- sheth, R. Sheallhiel and R. Sh'lomo B. R. Abra- ham B. Chisdai o. b. m. The city though small is handsome and is situated on the seashore. Merclianls resort thither for goods from all parts of the world : from Greece , from Pisa, page 2-
32 NARBONNE. BEZIERS.
Genoa and Sicily, from Alexandria in Egypt, from Palestine and the adjacent countries.
A days journey and a half brings you to Gerona, which city contains a small Jewish congregation.
Three days further lies Narbonne, a place of eminence in consequence of the studies car- ried on there. From thence the study of the law spreads over all countries. This city con- tains many very wise and noble men, princi- pally R. Calonymos son of the great and noble R. Theodoros o. b. m., a descendant of the house of David, as proved by his pedigree, page 2. 2. Tliis uiau holds landed properly from the so- vereigns of the country, of which nobody can deprive him by force. There is further R. Abra- ham the president of the university, R. IMakhir, R. lehuda and others of much merit and lear- ning, altogether the number of Jews amounts to about three hundred.
Four parasangs hom thence hes the cily of Beziers, containing a congi-egation of learned men, the principals of which are R. Sh'lomo Chalaphlha and R. Joseph B. R. Nelhanel o.b.m.
MONTPEILLIER. LUNEL. 33
From ihence it is two days to Har Ga'ash or MoNTPEiLLiER, a city conveniently situated for the purposes of trade, being within two p«ge 3. i. parasangs from the coast You there meet with christian and mahometan merchants from all parts: from Algarve (PorlugalJ Lombardy, the roman empire, from Egypt, Palestine, Greece, France, Spain, and England. People of all ton- gues are met there principally in consequence of the Iraffick of the Genoese and of the Pi- sans. The Jews of that cily belong to ihe vA- sest and most esteemed of the present gene- ralion. R. Reuben B. Theodoros, R. Nathan B. R. Sekhariah, R. Sh'muel their Rabbi, R. She- lemiah and R. IMordekhai o. b. m. are the prin- cipal among them; olhers are also very rich page 3. 2. and benevolent towards all those, who »ipply for assistance.
Four parasangs to Lunel, a cily containing also a holy congregation of Jews who employ all their time upon the study of the law. This town is the place of residence of the celebra- ted Rabbi R. IMcshullam and his five sons: R. Joseph, R. Jilschak, R. Ja'acob, R. Aharon and
34 LUNEL. BEAUCAIRE.
R. Asiier, all of which are eminent scholars and rich men. The laller is an ascelic*, who does not attend to any worldly business but studies day and night, keeps fasts and never
page 4. i. eats meat. He possesses an extraordinaiy de- gree of knowledge of every thing relating to lahnudic learning. R. Moshe his brother in law, R. Sh'mucl the Minister, R. Sh'lomo Cohen and the physician R. Jehuda B. Thibbon of Spanish origin are also inhabitants of Lunel. All fo- reign students who resort ihilher with the in- tention of studying the law, are suppHed with food and raiment at the public expence during the whole time of their stay in tlie university. The Jews of this city amounting to about three hundred, are wise, holy and benevolent men,
page 4. 2. who support their poor brethren near and far. The town stands wilhin two parasangs from the coast.
To Beaucaire two parasangs ; this is a large
a ^yiBj ascetic, ^one who exercises himself in and is devoted to the contoniplatiou of divine things and for that purpose separates himself from intercourse with the world.' RichardsoWs Did.
BEAUCAIRE. ST. GILLES. 35
borough, containing about four hundred Jews
and a great university under the presidency of
the great Rabbi, R. Abraham B. David o. b. m.,
a scholar of the very first degree of eminence
and skill, both in the scriptural and lalmudic
branches of learning. He attracts students from
distant countries who find abode in his own
house and are taught by him ; he moreover p»g* 5 i.
provides them with all necessaries of life from
his own means and private property, which is
very considerable. R. Joseph B. R. Menachem,
R. Benbenasl, R. Benjamin, R. Abraham and
R. Jitschak B. R. Moshe o. b. m. of this city,
are also very great scholars and wise men.
To NoGRES or BouRG DE St. Gilles three parasangs. The principal of the Jewish inha- bitants, of which there are about one hundred, are: R. Jitschak B. R. Ja'acob, R. Abraham B. R. Jehuda, R. El'asar, R. Jitschak, R. Moshe and R. Ja'acob the son of the late Ra])bi R. Levi 0. b. m. This town , a place of Pil- p»ge 5. 2. giimage visited even by the inhabitants of dis- tant countries and islands, is situated within three parasangs from the sea on the very banks of
3G ARLES. MARSEILLES.
the large river Rhone which surrounds Ihe whole Provence. It is the place of residence of R. Abba Mari B. R. Jitschak o. b. m. who holds the office of steward to count Raymond.
To Arles three parasangs, the principal of its two hundred Israelites are; R. Moshe, R. Tobi, R. Jesha'jah, R. vSh'lomo, the Rabbi R.Na- page 6. i. ihan and R. Abba Mari o. b m.
Three days to Marseilles, a city containing many eminent and wise men. The three hundred Jews form two congregations, one of which re- sides in the lower town on the coast of the Me- diterranean and the other m the upper part, near the fortress. The latter supports a great university and boasts of many learned scholars, R. Shimeon B. R. Antoli, his brother R. Ja'acob and R. L'varo are the principals of the upper, R. Ja'a- cob Perpiano the rich man, R. Abraliam and his p«ge 6. 2 son in law R. Meir, R. Jitschak and R. Meir those of the lower congregation. An extensive trade is carried on in this city, which stands on ihe very coast.
Here people take ship for Genoa, which also stands on the coast and is reached in
GENOA. PISA. 37
about four days. Two Jews from Ceula, R. Sh'muel B. Khilam and his brolher reside there. The cily is surrounded by a wall, no king governs over it , but senators eliosen by the citizens and of their own body. Every p's* 7. i. house is provided with a tower and in times of civil commotion war is carried on from the tops of these towers. The Genoese are masters of the sea and build vessels called galleys by means of which they carry on war in many pla- ces and bring home a vast deal of plunder and booty, to Genoa ; they are at war wilh the Pisans. From their city to that of Pisa is a distance of two days journey. The latter is of very great extent, containing about ten thousand for- tified houses, from which war is carried on in limes of civil commotion. All the inhabitants are brave, no king nor prince governs over page 7. '2. them, the supreme autliority being vested in senators chosen by the people. The principal of the twenty Jews resident at Pisa, are: R. Moshe, R. Chaim and R. Joseph. The city has no walls, stands about four miles from the sea and the navigation is carried on by means of
38 LUCCA. ROME.
vessels who ply upon the Arno, a river which runs through the very cily.
To Lucca four parasangs. This is a large cily and contains about forty Jews, the principal of
page 8. 1, them are : R. David, R. Sh'muel and R. Ja'acob. A journey of six days from thence brings you to the large city of Rome, the metropolis of all Christendom. The two hundred Jews who live there are very much respected and pay tribute to no one. Some of them are of- ficers in the service of Pope Alexander, who is the principal ecclesiastic and head of the chri- stian church. The principal of the many emi- nent Jews resident there are R. Daniel and R. Jechiel. The latter is one of the pope's- officers, a handsome, prudent and wise man, who fre- quents the pope's palace being the steward of his household and minister of his private pro- perty. R. Jechiel is a descendant of R. Na-
page 8. 2. than, the author of the Book Aruch and its comments. There are further at Rome : R. Joab B. Rabbi R. Sh'lomo, R. Menachem tlie president of the university, R. Jechiel who resides in Tra- stevere and R. Benjamin B. R. Shabthai o. b. m.
ROME. 39
The city of Rome is divided into two parts by means of Ihe river Tiber which runs through it. In the first of these divisions you see the large place of worship called St Peter of Rome, there was the large palace of Julius Caesar. The city contains numerous buildings and structures entirely different from all other p«g* ». *• buildings upon the face of the earth. The ex- tent of ground cover'd by ruined and inhabited parts of Rome amounts to four and twenty miles. You there find eighly lialls of the eighty eminent kings who are all called Imperator, from king Tarquin to king Pipin the father of Charles who first conquer'd Spain and wrested it from the mahometans.
In the outskirts of Rome is the palace of Titus who was rejected by three hundred senators in consequence of his having wasted three years in the conquest of Jerushalaim, which task according to their will he ought to have accomplished in two years. There is further the hall of the palace p«ge 9. 2. of king Vcspasianus, a very large and strong buil- ding; also the hall of king Galba, containing 360 windows, equal in number to the days of the
40 ROME.
year. The circumference of the palace is nearly three miles. A bailie was foiighl here in limes of yore and in the palace fell more than a hun- dred thousand slain, whose bones are hung up
j.age 10. 1. there even to the present day. The king cau- sed a representation of the battle to be drawn, army against army, the men, the horses and all their accoutrements were sculptured in marble, in order to preserve a memorial of the wars of anliquily.
You there find also a cave under ground containing the king and his queen upon their thrones, surrounded by about one hundred no- bles of their court, all embalmed by physicians and in good preservation to this day.
Also St. Giovanni in porta lalina in which place of worship there are two copper pillars
page 10. 2. constructed by king Sh'lomo o. b. m. whose name ^Sh'lomo Ben David' is engraved upon each. The Jews in Rome told him, that every year about the time of the 9th of Ab,'* these
a The time of the destruction of both temples at Jerusalem, The day is still one of fast and mourning to all jews and is celebrated as such by all synagogues.
ROME. CAPUA. 41
pillars sweat so much that the waler runs down from them.
You there see also the cave, in which Ti- tus the son of Vespasian hid the vessels of the temple, which he brought from Jerushalaim, and in another cave on the hanks of the Ti- ber you find the sepulchres of those holy men o. b. m., the ten martyrs of the kingdom.
Opposite St. Giovanni de Lalerano stands a statue of Shimshon with a lance of stone in page ii.i. his hand, also that of Abshalom the son of Da- vid and of king Constantinc, who built Con- stantinople, which city is called after his name, his statue is cast in copper, man and horse are gilt. Rome contains many other remar- kable buildings and works, the whole of which nobody can enumerate
Capua is four days from Rome. This large city was built by king Capis, the town is ele- gant but the waler is bad and the country un- healthy. Among the three hundred Jews, who reside at Capua, are many very wise men of universal fame, principally R. Konpasso and his papeii.'i.
42 SORRENTO.
brother R. Sh'muel, R. Saken and the Rabbi R. David, who bears Ihe titfe of Principalo.
From Ihence to Puzzuolo or Sorrento, a large city built by Tsintsan Hadar'eser, who fled in fear of king David o. b. m. The city has been inundated in two spots by the sea. Even to this day you may see the streets and towers of the submerged city. A hot spring, which issues forth from under ground, produ-
r»gt V2. i» ces the oil called Petroleum, which is collected upon the surface of the water and used in me- dicine. There are also the hot baths, provided from hot subterranean springs, which here is- sue from under ground. Two of these baths are situated on the seashore and whoever is afflicted with any desease generally experien- ces great relief if not certain cure from the use of these waters. During the summer season all persons afflicted with complains flock thither from the whole of Lombardy.
From this place a man may travel fifteen miles by a causeway under the mountains. This way was constructed by king Romulus,
p.ft ri. 2. the founder of Rome, who feared David king
NAPLES. SALERNO. AMALFL 43
of Israel and Joab his general and conslrucled buildings bolh upon and under ihe mountains.
The cily of Naples is very slrongly for- lificd , situated on the coast and originally built by the Greeks. R. Chiskiah, R. Shalom, R. Eliah Cohen and R. Jitschak from mount Hor are the principal of the five hundred Jews who live in the city.
One dnys journey brings you to Salerno, the principal medical university of Christendom. The number of Jews amounts to about six hun- dred, among which R. Jehuda B. R. Jitschak, R. Malkhi Tscdek, the grand Rabbi, originally p«gei3.i. from Sipontc, R. Sh'lomo Cohen, R. Elija Ha- jevani, R. Abraham Narboni and R. Thamon deserve particular notice, being wise and lear- ned men. The cily is surrounded by ' a wall from the landside, one part of it however stands on the shore of the sea. The fortress on the lop of the hill is very strong.
Half a day to Amalfi, a city among the in- habitants of which you find twenty Jews, prin- cipals: R. Chananel the physician, R. Ehsha* and the benevolent o?* uobie Abu - al - Gid.
44 BAVENTO. MELFI. ASCOLL TRANI.
The christian population of this country is mostly addicted to trade, they do not till the ground, but buy every thing for money, because P«Re 13.2. they reside on high mountains and upon rocky hills; fruit abounds however, the land being well supplied with vineyards, olivegroves, gar- dens and orchards. Nobody dares wage war with them.
One day to Bavento, a large city situated between the coast and a high mountain. The congregation of Jews numbers about two hun- di*ed, pnncipals R. Calonymos, R. Sarach and R. Abraham o. b. m.
Two days to Melfi in Apidia, the Pul* of pago 14. 1. scripture, with about two hundred Jews of which R. Achima'ats, R. Nathan and R. Tsa- dok are the principal.
One days journey to Ascoli, the principal of the forty Jews who live there are : R. Kon- tilo, R. Tsemach his son in law and R. Joseph.
Two days to Trani on the coast. AH the pil- grims who travel to Jerushalaim assemble here
a JesaiaLXVI. 19.
BARI. TARANTO. BRINDISI. OTRANTO. 45
in consequence of the convenience of ils port The cily contains a congregation of about two hundred Israelites, the principal of whom are R. Eliiah, R. Nathan the lecturer and R. Ja'a^ cob. Trani is a large and elegant town.
One days journey to St. Nicolas di Bari, page u. 2. the large cily which was destroyed by king William of Sicily. The place still hes in ruins and contains neither Jewish nor christian inha- bitants.
One days journey and a half to Taranto, this is the frontier town of Calabria, the inha- bitants are Greeks, the city is large and the principal of the three hundred Jews who Uve there are: R. Mali, R. Nathan and R. Jisrael.
One days journey to Brindisi on the sea page is. 1. coast, containing about ten Jews, who are dyers.
Two days to Otranto on the coast of the grecian sea, the principal of its five hundred je>vish inhabitants are R. IM'nachem, R. Khaleb, R. Meier and R. IMali.
From thence you cross over in two days to the island of Corfu, containing but one Jew,
4G ARTA. ACHELOUS. ANATOLICA. PATRAS. LEPANTO.
a dyer of the name of R. Joseph. Unto this places reaches the kingdom of Sicily.
Two days journey by sea bring you to the coast of Arta, the confines of the empire of Manuel king of Greece, on this coast Hes a vil- lage 15. 2. lage with about a hundred Jewish inhabitants, the principal of them are R. Sh'lachiah andR. Hercules.
Two days to Achelous, with ten Jews, prin- cipal: R. Shablhai.
Half a day to Anatolica on the gulf.
One days journey by sea to Patras. This is the city of Antipatros king of Greece, one of the four kings who rose after king Alexan- der. The city contains large and ancient buil- r««ei6.i. dings and about fifty Jews reside there. R Jitschak, R. Ja'acob and R. Sh'muel are the principal of them.
Half a day by sea to Lepanto on the coast The principal of the hundred Jews who reside there are R. Gisri, R. Shalom and R. Abraham.
One days journey and a half to Crissa. Two hundred Jews live there by themselves on mount Parnassus and carry on agriculture
CORINTH. THEBES NEOROPONT. 47
upon Iheir owii land and properly; R. Sh'lomo, R. Chaim and R. Jeda'iah are the principal of them.
Three days to the cijly of Corinth which p«g« is. 2. contains about three hundred Jews, principals: R. Leon, R. Ja'acob and R. Chiskiah.
Three days to the large city of Thebes with about two thousand Jewish inhabitants. These are the most eminent manufacturers of silk and purple cloth in all Greece. Among them are many eminent talmudic scholars and men as famous as any of the present genera- tion The principal of them are: the great Rabbi R. Aharon Koli, his brother R. Moshe, R. Chija, R. Eliiah Tareteno and R. Joktan. No scholars like them are to be met with in the whole grecian empire except at Constantinople. p*gei7.i.
A journey of three days brings you to Ne- GROPONT, a large city on the coast to which merchants resort from all parts. Of the two hundred Jews who reside there the principal are R. Eliiah Psalteri, R. 'Emanuel and R. Khaleb.
From thence to Jabustrisa is one days jour-
48 RABENICA. ZEITUN. WALACHIA
ney. This city is silualed on the coast and contains about one hundred Jews, the principal of whom are: R. Joseph, R. Sh'muel and R. Nethaniah.
Rabenica is tlislanl one days journey and contains about one hundred Jews. R. Joseph, p*sei7.2. R. El'asar and R. Jilschak arc the principal of lliem.
SiNON PoTAMO or Zeitun is one days jour- ney further ; R. Sh'lomo and R. Ja'acob are the principal of its fifty Jewish inhabilanls.
Here are the confines of Walachia, a country the inhabitants of which are called Vlachi. They are *as nimble as deer'* and descend from their mountains into the plains of Greece committing robberies and making booty. Nobody ventures to make war upon them, nor can any king bring , them to submission , and they do not profess • the christian faith. Their names are of Jew- ish origin and some even say they have been page 18. 1. Jews, wliich nation they call brethren. When- ever they meet an IsraeHle, they rob but
a 2 Samuel II. 18.
GARDICKI. ARMIRO. BISSINA. SALUNKI. 49
never kill him, as they do ihe Greeks. They profess no religious creed.
From thence it is two days to Gardicki, a ruined place, containing but few Jewish or gre- cian inhabitants.
Two days further stands the large commer- cial cily of Armiro, on the coast. It is fre- quented by the Venetians, the Pisans, the Ge- noese and many other merchants, who there transact business. It is a large cily and con- tains about four hundred Jewish inhabitants ; page is. 2. principals: R. Shiloh, K. Joseph the elder and R. Sh'lomo the president.
One day to Bissina; the principal of the hundred Jews who reside there are the Rabbi R. Shabtha, R. Sh'lomo and R. Ja'acob.
The town of Salunki is distant two days journey by sea, it was built by king Seleucus, one of the four greek nobles who rose after Alexander, is a very large cily and contains about five hundred Jewish inhabitanls. The Rabbi R. Sh'muel and his children are eminent scho- lars and he is appointed provost of the resi- pag* 19- < dent Jews by the kings command. His son in
3
50 MITRIZZI. DRAMA. ABYDOS. CONSTANTINOPLE.
law R. Shablhai, R. Eliiah and R. IMikhael also reside there. The Jews are much oppressed in ihis place and live by ihe exercise of han- dicrafts.
IMiTRizzi, dislanl I wo days journey, contains about twenty Jews. R. Jescha'iah, R. Makhir and R.. Eliab are the principal of them.
Drama, dislanl from licnce two days journey conlains about one hundred and forly Jews; principals: R. Mikhael and R. Joseph.
From thence one days journey to Christo- POLi, wilh about twenty Jewish inhabitants, page 19. 2. Dislaut three days journey from thence by sea stands Abydos, on the coast.
Five days journey by the mountains to the large city of Constantinople.
This city, the metropolis of the whole gre- cian empire is also the residence of the em- peror, king Manuel. Twelve princely officers govern the whole empire by his command and every one of them inhabits a palace at Con- staptinople and possesses fortresses and cities of his own. The first of these nobles l)ears the title of Praepositus magnus; the second is
CONSTANTINOPLE. 51
called Mega Domeslicus, ihe third Dominus, llie foiirlh Megas Diikas, ihe fifth Oeconomus pagc-io. i. magnus, the names of the other are similar to these. The circumference of the city of Con- stantinople amomits to eighteen miles, one half of the city is hounded hy the continent, the other hy the sea, two arms of which meet here: the one heing a hranch or outlet of the russian, the other of the Spanish sea.
Great stir and hustle prevails at Constanti- nople in consequence of the conflux of many merchanls who resort thilher, holh hy land and hy sea, from all parts of the world for purposes of trade. Merchants from Bahylon and from Mesopotamia,^ from Media and Persia, from Egypt and Palcsline as well as from Russia, Hungary, Palzinakia, Budia, Lomhardy and Spain i>ape 20. 2. arc met with here and in this respect the city is equalled only hy Bagdad, the metropolis of ihe Mahometans.
At Constantinople is the place of worship called St. Sophia and the metropohlan seat of the Pope of the Greeks, who are at variance with tlie Pope of Rome. It contains as many
5 2 CONSTANTINOPLE.
altars as Ihe year numbers days and possesses innumerable riches.
These are augmenled every year by the contiibulions of ihe two islands and of the ad- rage 21.1. jacent lo\\Tis and villages. All the other pla- ces of worship in the whole world do not equal St. Sophia in riches. It is ornamented by pillars of gold and silver and by innume- rable lamps of the same precious materials.
The Hippodrome is a pubhc place near the wall of the palace, set aside for the spoils of the king. Every year the birthday of Jisho the rsazarene is celebrated there by public re- joicings. On these occasions you may there see representations of all the nations, who in- habit the different parts of the world and sur- prising feats of jugglery. Lions, bears, leopards page 21. 2. and wild asses as well as birds, that have been trained to fight each other, are also exhibited, and all this sport, the erpial of which is to be met with nowhere, is carried on in the pre- sence of the king and the queen.
King 'Emanuel has built a large palace for his residence on the sea shore, besides the pa-
CONSTANTINOPLE. 53
lace built by his predecessors, this edifice is called Blachernes.
The pillars and walls of this palace are cover'd with sterling gold. All the wars of the ancients as well as his own wars are represented in pic- lures. The throne in this palace is of gold and ornamented with precious stones. A golden crown hangs over the throne suspended on ap«go2'i. <. chain of the same material, the length of which exactly admits the emperor to sit under it. This crown is ornamented with precious stones of inestimable value. Such is the lustre of these diamonds that, even without any other hght, ihey illumine the room in which they are kept. Other objects of curiosity are met with here which nobody can adequately describe.
The tribute, which is collected at Constan- tinople every year, from all parts of Greece consisting of silks and purple cloths and gold, fills many towers. These riches and buildings are equalled nowhere in the world. They say page 22. 2. that the tribute of tlie city alone amounts every day to twenty thousand florins; this re- venue arises from rents of hoslelries and ba-
54 CONSTANTINOPLE.
za»ars and of ihe diUics paid by merclianls who arrive by sea and by land.
TIic Greeks who inhabit ihc counlry are extremely rich and possess great weaUh of gokl and precious stones. They dress in gar- ments of silk, ornamented by gold and other vahiable nialerials; they ride upon horses and in their appearance they are hke princes. The counlry is rich produchig all sorts of dehca- cics as well abundance of bread, meal and wine papo 23. 1. and nothing upon earth equals iheir wealth. They are well skilled in the greek sciences and live coniforlable, 'every man under his vine and his lig tree'\
The Greeks hire soldiers of all nations w^hom ihey call j)arbarians, for the purpose of car- rying on their wars with the Sultan of the Tho- garmim who are called Turks. They have no martial spirit themselves and hke women are unfit for warhkc enterprizcs.
No Jew dwells in the city with ihem, ha- ving been expelled beyond the one arm of the
a. IMicha. IV. 4.
CONSTANTINOPLE. 55
sea. They are shut in hy ihe channel of So- phia on one side and ihey can reach the city page 23. 2. by water only, whenever they want to visit it for the purpose of trade. The number of Jews at Constantinople amounts to two thousand rab- banilcs and five hundred carailcs," they live on one spot but a wall divides them. The prin- cipal of the rabbanites, who are learned in the law, may be called: the Ka])bi R. Abtahon, R. 'Obadiah, R. Aharon Khuspo, R. Joseph Sargeno and R. EHakim the elder. Many of them are manufacturers of silk cloth, many others are merchants, some of them being extremely rich ; but no Jew is allowed to ride upon a horse pago 24. 1. except R. Sh'lomo Hamitsri who is the king's physician and by whose influence the Jews en- joy many advantages even in their stale of op- pression. This state is very severely felt by ihem and the hatred against them is enhanced by the practice of the tanners, who pour out iheir filthy water in the streets and even be-
a. The former respect and conform with the au- tliority of the rabbinic explanations, Avhicli arc rejected by the latter.
Ob RODOSTO. GALLIPOLI. KILIA. MITILENE.
fore llie very doors of the Jews, who being ihus defiled, become objects of hatred to the Greeks. Their yoke is severely felt by the Jews, both good and bad, they arc exposed to be beaten in the streets and must submit to all sorts of bad treatment, but the Jews are page 24. 2. rich, good, bencvolcnt and religious men, who bear the misfortunes of the exile with humi- lity. The quarter inhabited by the Jews is called Pera.
Two days from Constantinople stands Ro- DOSTo, containing a congregation of about four hundred Jews, the principal of which are: R. JMoshe, R. Abiiah and R. Ja'acob.
To Gallipoli two days. Of the two hun- dred Jews of this city the principal are: R. Eliiah Kapid, R. Shabthai the Uttle and R. Jits- chak IMegas; — this term means Mall' in the greek language, page 25. 1. To (Kalcs or) KiLiA two days. The prin- cipal of the fifty Jews who inhabit that place are R. Jehudah, R. Ja'acob and R. Shm'aiah.
Two days to Mitilene, one of tlie islands
CHIO. SAMOS. RHODES. CYPRUS. CORYCUS. 57
of the sea. Ten places of ihis island contain Jewish congregations.
Three days from thence is situated the is- land of Cnio, containing about four hundred Jews, the principal of which arc R. Eliiah, R. Theman and R. Shabthai. The trees which yield mastic are found here.
Two days to the island of Samos with about three hundred Jews. Principals: R. page 25. 2. Sh'maria, R. 'Obadiah and R. Joel. These is- lands contain many congregations of Jews.
To R[iODES, three days by sea ; the princi- pal of the four hundred Jews who reside bore are: R. Aba, R. Clianancl and R. Eliiah.
Four days to Cyprus. Besides the rabba- nilic Jews in this island, there is a community of heretic Jews, called Kaphrossin, or 'Cypri- ans'. They are Epicureans and the Jews ex- communicate them every where. The evening of the sabl)alh is profaned and that of the sun- day kept holy by these sectarians.
To CoRYCus two days, this is the frontier of Aram, which is called x\rmenia. Here are the con- r^s* 26. j. fines of the empire of Toros, king of the nioun-
58 TERSOOS. ANTIOCH.
tains, sovereign of Armenia, whose sway reaches unto the oily of Dhuchia and unlo ihe coun- try of the Togarmim who are called Turks.
Two days to Malmistras which is Tersoos situated on the coast. Thus far reaches the empire of the Javaniles who are called Greeks.
The large city of Antioch is distant two days. It stands on the hanks of tlie Maklouh, which river flow^s down from mount Lehanon, from the country of Chamath; the cily was founded hy king Antiochus, and is overlooked page 2G. 2. by a vcry high mountain. A wall surrounds this height, on the summit of which is situated a well. The inspector of the well distributes the water by subterranean aquaducts and pro- vides the houses of the principal inliabitants of the city therewith. The other side of the cily is surrounded by the river. This place is very strongly fortified and in the possession of Prince Boemond Poilevin, surnamcd le Baube. It con- tauis about ten Jews, who are glass-manufactu- rers, the principal of them are : R. IMordekliai, R. Chaiim and R. Jishmacl.
Two days from thence to Lega which is
LATACHIA. JEBILEE. ASSASSINS. 50
Latachia wilh about two lumdrccl Jews, of page 27. i which R. Chiia and R. Joseph are ihe principal.
Two days to Jebilee, ihc Ba'al Gad* of Scripture under mount Lebanon.
In this vicinity resides the nation Avhich are called Assassins, who do not beUevc in the te- nets of mohammedanisni, but in those of one, whom they consider hke unto the prophet Khar- math. They fulfil whatever he commands them lo do, whether it be a matter of life or death. He goes by the name of Sheikh - al - Chashishin, or their old man, by whose commands all the acts of these mountaineers arc regulated. His seat is in the city of Kadmus, the Kedemoth^ of scripture, in the land of vSichon. The As- page 27. 2. sassins are faithful to one another by the com- mand of their old man and make themselves the dread of every one, because their devotion goes far enough gladly to risk their lives, and to kill even kings, if commanded to do so.*= The extent of their country is eight days jour- ney. They are at war wilh the christians, cal-
a. Joshua XI. 17. XII. 7. XIII. 5. b. ibid. XIII. 18. XXI. 37. I.CIiron.Vl.64. c. secNotes.
GO DJEBAIL.
led Franks and wilh Ihe count of Tripoli, which is Tarablous el Sham.
Some lime ago Tripoli was visited by an earthquake, which destroyed many Jews and Gentiles, numbers of the inhabitants were kil- led by the faUing houses and walls, under the ruins of which they were buried. More than twenty thousand persons were killed in Pales-
page28. 1. tine by this earthquake.
One days journey to the other Djebail which was the Gebal of the children of 'Ainmon;" it contains about one hundred and fifty Jews find is govern'd by seven Genoese, the supreme command is vested in one of them, Julianus Embriaco by name. You there find the an- cient place of worship of the children of 'Am- mon, the idol of this people sits upon a ca- thedra or throne, consliucled of stone and richly gill; two female figures occupy the seats on
page 2b. 2. his side, one being on the right, the other on the left, and before it stands an altar, upon which the children of 'Ammon offer'd sacrifices
a. JosIiuaXIII.5. 1 Kings V. 32. Ezech. XXVII. 9.
BEYRUT. SAIDA. DRUSES. 61
and burned incense in limes of yore. The city contains about two hundred Jews the princi- pal of which are R. Meir, R. Ja'acob and R. Szimchah, and stands on the coast of the sea of the holy land.
Two days to Beyrut, which is Beeroth.* The principal of its fifly Jewish inhabitants are ; R. Sh'lomo, R. 'Obadiah and R. Joseph.
One days journey to Saida which is Tsidon page 29. 1. of scripture;^ a large city with about twenty Jewish inhabitants.
Within twenly miles resides a nation who are at war with the inliabilanls of Tsidon; the name of this nation is Druses. They are called heathens and unbelievers because they confess no rchgion. Their abodes are on the summits of the mountains and in the ridges of the rocks, and they are sub- ject to no king or piince. IMount Hermon, a distance of three days journey, confines their territory. This nation is very incestuous; a father cohabits with his own daughter, and
a. Joshua XVm. 25. b. Joshua XI. 3. XIX. 28.
G2 DRUSES. TSOUR.
page 29. 2. OHce every year all men and women assemble lo celebrate a feslival upon wliich occasion, after eating and drinking they hold promis- cuous intercourse.
They say that the soul of a virtuous man is transferred to the body of a newjjorn child, whereas that of the vicious transmigrates into a dog or some other animal. ^This their way is llieir folly.'*
Jews have no permanent residence among them, some tradesmen however and a few dy- ers travel through the country occasionally, lo carry on their trades or sell goods and they return to their homes when their busi- ness is done. The Druses are friendly towards
P«se30. 1. the Jews; they are so nimble in the climbing of hills and mountains, that nobody ventures to carry on w^ir with them.
One days journey to IS'ew Tsour, a very beautiful city, the port of which is in the very to^vn. This port is guarded by two towers, within which the vessels ride at anchor. The
a. Psalms XLIX. 13.
TSOUR. ACRE. G3
officers of ihe customs draw an iron chain from lower lo lower every niglil, ihereby ef- feclually prevenling any ihieves or robbers to escape by boats or by other means. A port equal to this is met with nowhere upon earth. About four hundred Jews reside in this excel- page 30. 2. lent place, the principal of which arc the Judge R. Ephraim I\hlsri, II. Meier of Carcasson, and R. Abraham, the elder of the community. The Jews of TsouR are shipowners and manufac- turers of ihe far - renowned lyrian glass , the purple dye is also found in this vicinity.
If you mounts the walls of New Tsour, you may see the remains of 'Tyre the crown- ed'* which was inundated by the sea, it is about the distance of a stones - throw from the new town; and whoever embarks may ob- serve the towers, the markets, the streets ai^dpagesi. i. ihe halls on the bottom of tbc sea. The city of New Tsour is very commercial, and one to which traders resort from all parts.
One day lo Acre, which is Acco of Scrip-
a. Isaiah XXIII.
64 ACRE. KHAIFA.
lure," on the confines of the tribe of Asher. This city is the frontier town of Palestine and in consequence of its situation on the shore of the mediterranean and of its large port, is the principal place of disembarcation of all pil- grims who visit Jerushalaim by sea. A river called Nahr el Kelb runs near the city which contains about two hundred Jewish inhabitants; p«se3i 2 R, Tsadok, R. Jepheth and R. Jona are the principal of them.
To KiiAiFA, which is Galh Hachepher,*' three parasangs. One side of this city is situated on the coast, on the olher it is overlooked by mount Kharmel. Under the mountain are many Jewish sepulchres and near the summit is the cavern ofElijahu, upon whom be peace. Two christians have built a place of worship near this site, which they call St. Elias, and on the summit of the hill you may still trace the si- tuation of the altar which was rebuilt by Eli- jahu 0. b. m. in the time of king Achab*' and the circumference of which is about four yards.
a. Judges! 31. b. Joshua XIX. 13. c. I. Kings
xvm. 30.
K'pHAR THANCHUM. CESAREA. KAKUN. ST. GEORGE. 65
The river Mukallua runs down the mountain and along its base.
Four parasangs to Kh'phar Thanchum, which p»«e 32. i. is Kh'phar JNachum, identical with Meon, the place of abode of Nabal the Carmelite.*
Six Parasangs to Cesarea, the Galh of the Philislines of scripture,'' inhabited by about ten Jews and two hundred Cuthaeans. The latter are Samaritan Jews, commonly called Samaritans. The city is very elegant and beautiful, situa- ted on the sea shore, and was built by king Herod who called it Cesarea in honor of the Emperor or Caesar.
To Kakun, the K'eilah of scripture*^ half a days journey; in this place are no Jews.
To St. George, the ancient Luz,^ half a days journey. One Jew only, a dyer by pro- page 32. 2. fession, lives there.
To Sebaste one days journey. This is the ancient Shomron* where you may still trace the sile of the palace of Achab, king of Israel.
a. On this passage and its translation see my vo- lume of Notes, b. 1 Sam. VL 1 7. c. Joshua XV. 44. d. Judges I. 26. e. I. Kings XVI. 24.
G6 SEBASTE. NABLOUS.
It was formerly a very strong city, and is si- tuated on the mount, in a fine country richly water'd and surrounded hy gardens, orchards, vineyards and ohvegroves, no Jews live there.
To Nablous, the ancient Sh'khem on mount Ephraim,* two parasangs. This place contains no Jewish inhahilants and is situated in the valley helween mount Gerizim and mount 'Ebal. It is the abode of about one hundred Cuthaeans, who observe the mosaic law only, and are cal- led Samaritans. They have priests, descendants pag<.33.i. of Aharon the priest, of blessed memory, whom they call Aharonim. These do not intermarry with any other than priestly families ; but they are priests only of their own law, who offer sa- crifices and burnt offerings in their synagogue on mount Gerizim. They do this in accordance with the words of scripture^ Thou shalt put the bles- sing on mount Gerizim, and they pretend that this is the holy templet On passover and hoHdays they offer burnt offerings on the altar, which
a. Joshua XX. 7. b. Deut. XL 29. c. To which place according to the tenets of the tahuuflic Jews, the offerings are confined and since the destruction of which have been discontinued.
NABLOUS. 67
ihey have erected on mount Gerizim,* from the stones put up by the children of Israel after they had crossed tlie Jordan.^ They pre- p««e 33. 2. tend to be of the tribe of Ephraim and are in possession of the tomb of Joseph the righteous, the son of our father Ja'acob, upon whom be peace, as is proved by the following passage of scripture <= Hhe bones of Joseph, which the chil- dren of Israel brought up with them from Egypt, they buried in Sh'khem.'
The Samaritans do not possess the three letters n He, n Chelh and V 'Ajin; the He of the name of our father Abraham, and they have no glory — the Cheth of the name of our father Jilschak, in consequence of which they are devoid of piety, the 'Ajin of tlie name of Ja'acob, for they want humihly. Instead of these letters they always put an Aleph, by which page 34. i. you may know that they are not of Jewish ori- gin, for they know the law of Moshe, except these three letters.
This sect carefully avoides being defiled by
a. Deut. XXVII. 4. — see notes. b. ibid, c. Joshua XXIV. 32.
08 MOUNT GILBOA. AJALOxN. GRAN DAVID.
touching corpses, bones, ihose killed by accidenl or graves, and Ihey change iheir daily garments whenever they visit iheir synagogue, upon which occasion they wash their body and put on other clolhes. These are their daily habits.
Mount Gerizim is rich in wells and or- chards, whereas mount 'Ebal is dry like stone and rock, the cily of Nablous hes in the val- ley between tliese two hills, page 34. '2. Four parasangs from thence is situated Mount Gilboa'", which christians call Monto Jelbon, the country is very barren hereabout.
Five parasangs further is the valley of Aja- LON,** called by the christians Val de Luna.
One parasang to Gran David, formerly the large cily of Gib'on. ^ It contains no Jewish in- habitants.
From thence three parasangs to Jerusha- LAiM, which city is small and strongly fortified by three walls. It contains a numerous po- pulation composed of Jacobites , Armenians,
a. I. Sam. XXVIII. 4. XXXI. 1—8. U. Sam. 1.6,21. b. Joshua VII. 125 at present Yalo. SmtVA. c. Joshua X. 2.
JERUSHALAIM. G9
Greeks, Georgians, Franks and in fact of peo- ple of all tongues.
The dyeing house is rented by the year and the exclusive privilege of carrying on this trade is purchased from the king by the Jews of Je- page 35. 1. RUSHALAiM, Iwo hundred of which dwell in one corner of the city, under the tower of David.
About ten yards of the base of this buil- ding are very ancient, having been constructed by our ancestors, the remaining part was ad- ded by the Mahometans and the city contains no building stronger than the lower of David.
There are at Jerushalaim two hospitals, which support four hundred knights and afford shelter to the sick; these are provided with every thing they may want, both during life and page 35. 2. in death; the second house is called hospital of Sal'mon being the palace originally built by king Sh'lomo.
This hospital also harbours and furnishes four hundred knights, who are ever ready to wage war, over and above those knights who arrive from the country of the Franks and other parts of Christendom. These generally
70 JERUSHALAIM.
have taken a vow upon themselves to slay a year or two and they remain until the period of their vow is expired.
The large place of worship, called Sepul- chre and containing the sepulchre of that man, * page 36. i. is visitcd by all pilgrims.
Jerushalaim is furnished with four gales, called gale of Abraham, of David, of Tsion and of Jehoshaphat; the laltcr slands opposite the place of the holy temple, which is occupied at present by a building called Templo Domino. 'Omar Ben Al-Khalaab creeled a large and hand- some cupola over it and nobody is allowed to introduce any image or painling into this place which is set aside for prayers only. In front of it you see the western wall, one of ihe walls which formed the holy of holies of ihe ancient temple, it is called gale of mercy and page 36. 2. ^W Jcws rcsort lliilhcr to say their prayers near the wall of the court yard.
At Jerushalaim you also see the slables which were erected by Shlomo^ and which
a. Jesus is thus called by the Talmud, b. I. Kings IV. 26.
JERUSHALAIM. 71
formed part of liis house. Immense slones have been employed in this fabric, ihe Uke of which is nowhere else lo be met with.
You further see to this day vestiges of the canal, near which the sacrifices were slaugh- ter'd in ancient times and all jews inscribe their name upon an adjacent wall.
If you leave the city by the gate of Jeho- shaphat, you may see the pillar erected on Ab- |.age 37. shaloms place* and the sepulchre of king 'Usia*' and the great spring of the Shiloach which runs into the brook Kidron. Upon this spring you see a large building erected in the times of our forefathers.
Very little water is found at Jerushalaim, the inhabitants generally diink rain water, which they collect in their houses.
From the valley of Jehoshaphat the travel- ler immediately ascends the mount of olives, as this valley only intervenes between the city and the mount, from which the dead sea is clearly seen. Two parasangs from the sea
a. II. Sam. XVIII. 1 8. b. II. Kings XV. 1-
72 JERUSHALAIM.
stands ihe salt pillar into which Lots wife was page 37. 2. metamorpliosed/ and allhoiigh the sheep con- tinually hck it, the pillar grows again and re- tains its original stale. You also have a pro- spect upon the whole valley of the dead sea and of the hrook of Shiltim^ even as far as mount N'ho."
Mount Tsion is also near Jerushalaim and upon this acclivity stands no huilding except a place of worship of the ISazarenes. The tra- veller further sees there three Jewish cemeteries, where formerly the dead were huried, some of the sepulchres had stones with inscriptions upon them, but the christians destroy these monu- ments and use these stones in building their houses.
Jerushalaim is surrounded by high moun- page 38. 1. tains, and on mount Tsion are the sepulchres of the house of David and those of the kings who reigned after him. In consequence of the following circumstance however, this place is hardly to be recognized at present: Fifteen
a. Gen. XIX. 26. b. Joel UI. 18. c. Deuter. XXU. 49.
JERUSHALAIM. 73
years ago, one of the walls of the place of worship on mount Tsion, fell down, wliich the patriarch order'd the priest to repair. He commanded to take stones from the original wall of Tsion and to employ ihem for that pm*- pose , which command was oheyed. About twenty journey -men were hired at staled wa- ges, who broke stones from the very founda- tions of the walls of Tsion. Two of tliese la- bourers, who were intimate friends, upon a cer- ?»«• 38. 2. lain day treated one another, and repaired to their work after their friendly meal. The over- seer questioned them about their tardiness, but they answer'd that they would still perform their days work, and would employ thereupon the lime, during which their fellow labourers were at meals. They then continued to break out sto- nes and happened to meet with one, which for- med the mouth of a cavern. They agreed with one another to enter the cave and to search for treasure, in pursuit of which they proceeded onward until they reached a large hall, sup- ported by p'dlars of marble, encrusted with gold and silver, and before which stood a table, v»6* 39. 1.
4
74 JERUSHALAIM.
with a golden sceplre and crown. This was Ihe sepulchre of David, king of Israel, lo the left of which ihey saw ihal of Sh'lomo in a similar state and so on the sepulchres of all kings of Jehuda, who were buried there. They further saw locked trunks, the contents of which nobody knew and desired to enter the hall; but a blast of wind like a storm issued forth from the mouth of the cavern, strong enough lo throw them down, almost lifeless, on the ground. There they lay until evening, when another wind rushed forth, from which they heard a voice, like thai of human being, calling aloud: gel up and go forth from this place. The P«5c39. 2. men came out in great haste and full of fear, proceeded to the patriarch and reported what had happen'd to ihem. This ecclesiastic sum- moned into his presence R. Abraham el Con- stantini, a pious ascetic, one of the mourners of the downfall of Jerushalaim and caused the two labourers to repeat what they had pre- viously reported. R. Abraham thereupon infor- med the patriarch that they had disco ver'd the sepulchres of the house of David and of the
BETH-LECHEM. 75
kings of Jehuda. The following morning the la- bourers were sent for again, but they were found stretched on their beds and still full of p«ge 40. i . fear; they declared that they would not at- tempt to go again to the cave, as it was not God's will to discover it to any one. The pa- triarch order'd the place to be walled up, so as to hide it effectually from every one unto the present day. The above -mentioned R. Abra- ham told me all this.
Two parasangs from Jerushalaim is Beth- Lechem of Jehuda, called Beth - lechem ; within half a mile of it, where several roads meet,* stands the monument which points out the grave of Rachel. This monument has been con- structed of eleven stones, equal to the number of the children of Ja'acob. It is cover'd by a cupola, which rests upon four pillars and every page 40.2. Jew who passes there, inscribes his name on the stones of the monument. Twelve Jews, dyers by profession, hve at Beth -Lechem, the
a. Gen. XXXV. 19. 20.
7G CHEBRON.
counlry abounds wilh rivulels, wells and springs of water.
Six parasangs to Chebron. The ancient city of that name was situated on the hill and lies in ruins at present, whereas the modern town stands in the valley, even in the field of Makhphela.* Here is the large place of wor- ship called St. Abraham, which during the time of the Mahomedans was a synagogue. The page 41.1. Gentiles have erected six sepulchres in this place, which they pretended to be those of Abraham and Sarah, of Jilschak and Ribekah andof Ja'acob and Leah; the pilgrims are told, Ihat they are the sepulchres of the fathers and money is extorted from them. But if any Jew come, who gives an additional fee to the kee- per of the cave, an iron door is opened, which dates from the times of our forefathers who rest in peace, and wilh a burning candle in his hands, the visitor descends into a first cave, which is empty, traverses a second in the same slate and at last reaches a third, which con-
a. Gen. XXUl. 19.
CHEBRON. BEITH JABERIM. 77
tains six sepulchres: that of Abraham, Jitschak and Ja'acob and of Sarah, Ribekah and Leah, one opposite the other. All these sepulchres bear inscriptions, the letters being engraved, p»g« 41.2. thus upon that of Abraham 'this is the sepul- chre of our father Abraham upon whom be peace' even so upon that of Jitschak and upon all the other sepulchres. A lamp bums in the cave and upon the sepulchres continually, both night and day, and you there see tubs filled with the bones of IsraeUtes, for it is a custom of the house of Israel to bring thither the bo- nes of their relicts and of their forefathers and to leave tliem there, unto this day. p»ge 42. i.
On the confines of the field of Makhphela stands the house of our father Abraham, who rests in peace, before which house there is a spring and in honor of Abraham, nobody is al- lowed to construct any building on that site..
Five parasangs to Beith Jaberim, the an- cient Maresha,* in which place there are but three Jewish inhabitants.
a. Joshua XV. 44.
78 ST. SAMUEL. PESIPUA. BEITH NUBI.
Five parasangs lo Toron de los Caballe- Ros, which is Shunem,' inhabited by ihree hun- dred Jews.
Three parasangs lo St. Samuel of Shiloh, the ancient Shiloh,^ within two parasangs of page 42. 2. Jerushalaim. When the christians took Ramleh, which is Ramah, from the Mahomedans, ihey discover'd the sepulchre of Shmu'el the Ra- mathi* near the Jewish synagogue and remo- ved his remains to Shiloh, where they erected a large place of worship upon them, called St. Samuel of Shiloh to the present day.
Three parasangs to Pesipua, which is Gi- b'ath Shaoul, or Geb'a Binjamin;** it contains no Jews.
Three parasangs to Beith Nubi, which is page 43.1. Nob ihc city of the priests.* In the middle of the road are the two rocks of Jehonathan, the name of one of which is Botsets and of the other Sene. The two Jews who live here are dyers.
a. Joshua XIX. 18. b. Judges XXL 19. c. ISam.I. 1 and foil. d. Joshua XVIII. 24. Judges XX. 10. 1 Kings XV. 22. e. 1 Sam. XXII. 19.
RAMLEH. JAFFA. IBELIN. ASDOUD. ASCALON 79
Three parasangs to Ramleh, which is Ha- rama, where you slill find walls erected by our forefathers ; this is evident from the inscriptions upon the stones. The city contains about three Jews and was formerly very considerable, a Jewish cemetry in its vicinity has two miles in extent.
Five parasangs to Jaffa, the ancient Ja- pho* on the coast; one Jew only, a dyer by profession, lives there.
Three parasangs to Ibelin, Jabneh** of anti- quity, where the site of the schools may still be traced ; it contains no Jews. Here was the h*«« 43. 2. frontier of the tribe of Ephraim.
Two parasangs to Palmis, or Asdoud, for- merly a city of the Philistines, « at present in ruins, and containing no Jews.
Two parasangs to Ascalon, which is in fact the New Ascalon, built on the coast by 'Esra the priest o. b. m. and originally called Bene- bra, distant about four parasangs from ancient Ascalon**, which lies in ruins at present This
a. Joshua XIX. 46. 2Chron.n.l6. b. 2Chon. XXVI. 6. c. Joshua Xm. 3. d. ibid. .Judges 1. 18.
80 ST. GEORGE. SERAIN. SUFURIEII.
cily is very large and handsome, merchants from all parts resort ihilher for purposes of trade, it being conveniently situated on the con- fftge 44. i. fines of Egypt. Of rabbanile Jews there are about two hundred; R. Tsemach, R. Aharon and R. Shlomo being the principal of them, besides about forty Karaites and about three hundred Culheans or Samaritans, In the cily stands a fountain, called Bir Ibrahim -al-Khalil, which was dug in the lime of the Philistines.
From thence hack to St. George, which is Lydda and in
One day and a half to Serain, the ancient Jis- re'el,' a cily containing a remarkably large foun- tain; one Jewish inhabitant, a dyer by profession.
Three parasangs to Sufurieii, the Tsippori of antiquity. The sepulchres of Rabenu Hak- P«ge44. 2.kadosh, of R. Chija, who came back from Ba- bylon, and of Jonah ben Amilhai the prophet are shown here; they are buried in the moun- tain, which also contains numerous other se- pulchres.
a. Joshua XIX. 18. 2 Sam. II. 9.
TIBERUS. TEBNIN. 81
Five 'parasangs to Tiberias. This city is situated on the Jordan, which here hears the name of sea of Khinnereth,* or lake of Tibe- rias, Here are the falls of the Jordan, in con- sequence of which the place hears also the name of Ashdolh Hapisga,^ wliich means 4he place where the rapid rivers have their fall';' the Jordan afterwards empties itself in lake Asphaltes, which is the dead sea.
Tiberias contains about fifty Jews, the prin- cipal of them are: R.Abraham the astronomer R. Mukhihar and R. Jitschak.
The hot waters, which spout forth from un- der ground, are called the warm baths of Ti- p«ge 45. 1.
BERIAS.
In the vicinity is the synagogue of Khaleb B. Jphuneh and among numerous other Jewish sepulchres, those of R. Jochanan B. Sakliai and of R. Jehonathan B. Levi; they are all situa- ted in lower GaHlee.
Two (days) Parasangs to Tebnin, the an-
a. Numbers XUII. 1 1. b. Deut. lU. 17. IV. 49.
c. seeGesenius nntt?i<.
82 GISH. MEROON. ALMA. KADES. BELINAS.
cient Thimnalha,* where you find the sepulchre of Shmu'el (ShinCon) the just and many other sepulchres of Israelites.
One day to Gish, which is Gush Chaleb, wilh about twenty Jewish inhabitants.
Six parasangs to Meroon, which is Maron;
in a cave near this place are the sepulchres of
Hillel and Shamai and of twenty of their dis-
pagc45. 2. ciples, also those of R. Benjamin B. Jephet
and of R. Jehuda B. B'thera.
Six parasangs to 'Alma, containing fifty Je- wish inhabitants and a large cemetry of the Israelites.
Half a day to Kades, which is Kadesh Naph- thali** on the banks of the Jordan, the sepul- chres of R. El'asar B. 'Arach, of R. El'asar B. 'Asariah, of Chuni Hama'agal, of R. Shim'on B. Gamliel, of R. Jose Hag'hli and of Barak B. Abino'am are here; the place contains no Jews. page 46 1. A days journey to Bellnas, the ancient
a. Joshua XV. 10. XIX. 43. b. Joshua XII. 22, XIX. 37. XXL 32. Judges IV. 6.
BELINAS DAMASCUS. 83
Dan;» the Iraveller here may see a cave, from which the Jordan issues and three miles from whence this river unites its waters with tliose of the Amon, a rivulet of the ancient land of Moah.
In front of ihe cave you may slill trace vestiges of the altar of Mikha's image, which was adored hy the children of Dan in times of yore; there is also the site of the altar erected hy Jarob'am B. N'bal in honor of the golden calf, and here were the confines of the land of Israel toward the hinder sea>
Two days from thence to Damascus, a large page 46. 2. city and the frontier to\vn of the empire of Nureddin, king of the Thogarmim, which are vulgarly called Turks. This place is very large and handsome, enclosed by a wall and sur- rounded by a beautiful country, which in a circuit of fifteen miles presents the richest gar-
a. Joshua XIX. 47. Judges XVIII. 29. b. p-in^n Q\ see Deut. XI. 24. where it means the mediterranean; this is one of the many abortive at- temps of our author at comparative geography.
84 DAMASCUS.
dens and orchards, in such quanlily and be- auty as lo be without equal upon earlh.
The rivers Am ana* and Parpar/ the sour- ces of wliich are on ihe Hermon, (a mount on which the city leans,) run down here; the Amana follows its course through Damascus and the waters are conducted by pipes into the [.age 47. 1. houscs of the principal inhabitants as well as into the streets and markets.
A considerable trade is carried on here by merchants of all countries. The Parpar runs between the gardens and orchards in the out- skirts and richly supplies them wilh walei*.
Damascus contains a mahomedan Mosque, called *the Synagogue of Damascus,' which building is equalled nowhere upon earlh. They say that it was the palace of Ben Hadad*' and tliat one wall of it is built of glass by witch- craft. This w\ill contains as many openings as there are days in the solar year and tlie sun gradually throws its hght into the openings.
a. II. Kings V. 12. Greek name: Chrysorhoas] modern arable Barady. b. II. Kings V. 12. mo- dern name : el Fa ige. c. Jerem . XLIX. 2 7 . Amos 1. 4 .
DAMASCUS. 85
These are divided into twelve degrees, equal page 47. 2. to the number of ihe hours ot the day and by this contrivance evei*y body may know what time it is. The palace contains houses lichly ornamented with gold and silver, formed hke tubs and of a size to allow three persons to balhe in them at once. In this building is also preserved the rib of a giant, which mea- sures nine spans in Icngtli and two in breadth, and which belonged to an ancient giant king, of the name of iVbkhamas.
This name was found engraved upon a stone of his tomb, which also contained the in- formation that he reigned over ihe whole world, page 48. i.
Many of the three thousand Jews who in- habit this cily are learned men and rich; it is Ihe residence of the president of the university of Palesline by name R. 'Esra, the brother of whom, Sar Shalom, is the principal of the Je- wish court of law; of R. Joseph, who ranges fifth in the university ; of R. IMatsliach, the lec- turer and master of the schools; also of R. Meir, a flower of the learned; of R. Joseph Ibn Pi- lalh, who may be called the prop of the uni-
86 DAMASCUS. BA'aLBEK.
versily, of R. Heman the elder and of R. Tsa- dok Ihe physician. The city conlains also two hundred Karaites and about four hundred
page 48. 2. Samaritans, all these sects hve upon friendly terms, but they do not intermarry.
One days journey from thence to Jela'ad which is Gil'ad' and conlains about sixty Jews, the principal of them is R. Tsadok. The city is large, richly water' d and surrounded by gar- dens and orchards.
Half a days journey further stands Salkhat, the city of Salkhah of scripture.**
From thence to Ba'albek is half a days journey. This is the city, which is mentioned in scripture as 'Ba'alath in the valley of Le- banon, which Sh'lomo built for the daughter of Pharao.'* The palace is constructed of stones of enormous size, measuring twenty spans
page 49. 1. iu length and twelve in breadth ; no binding material holds these stones together and peo-
a. Hos. VI. 8. b. Numb. XXXII. 26. 29. 39. Deut.III.lO. Joshua XI1.5. LChron.V. 11. c. I. Kings IX. 18. II. Chron. VIII. 6.
ba'albek. thadmor. cariateen. 87
pie pretend, that the building could have been erected only by the help of Ashmedai.
A great spring takes its rise at the upper side of the city, through which its waters rush like those of a considerable river. They are employed in the working of several mills, si- tuated within the city, which also encloses nu- merous gardens and orchards.
Thadmor in llie desert* was also built by Shl'omo of equally large stones; this city is surrounded by a wall and- stands in the desert, far from any inhabited place, is four days jour- ney distant from the abovemention'd Ba'alath and contains two thousand warlike Jews. These p«ge 49. 2. are at war with ilie christians and with the ara- bian subjects of Nureddin and aid their neigh- bours the mahomedans; R. Jitschak HajVani, R. Nathan and R. 'Usiel are their principals.
Half a day to Cariateen which is Kirja- Ihaim;** one Jew only, a dyer by profession, li- ves there.
a. I. Kings IX. 18. II. Chron. VUI. 4. Joshua Xm. 19.
88 HAMAII. REIHA LABfDIN. ALEPPO.
One day lo Hamah, the ancienl Chamalh,* on the Orontes, under mount Lebanon.
Some lime ago this city was visited by an earthquake, in consequence of which fifteen pag« 50. 1. thousand men died in one day, leaving only seventy survivors. R. 'Ulah Hacohen and the Sheiich Abu al Caleb Umokhalar are the principal. Half a day to Rehia which is Chatsor.** Three parasangs to Lamdin, from whence it is a journey of two days to Aleppo, tlie Aram Tsoba of scripture.* This city is the re- sidence of King Nureddin, in which his palace is situated, a building fortified by an uncom- monly high wall. There being neither spring nor liver, the inhabitants are obliged to drink rain- water, which is collected in every house in a page 50. 2. cislcm. Called in arabic Algub. The principal of the fifteen hundred Jews who hvc in Aleppo are : R. Moshe el-Costandini, R. Jisrael and R. Shelh. To Bales which isP'thora** on the Euphra- tes, two days. Even at present you there still
a. Numb. XIII. 21. XXXIV. 8. b. Joshua XI. 1. 11. II. Kings XV. 29. c. Psalms LX. 2. 11. Sam. X. 6. 8. d. Numb. XXII. 5. Deut. XXIU. 4.
BALES. flACCA. OU
find remain* of the lower of Biram Ben Be'or (may the name of Ihe wicked rot') which he built in accordance wilh the hours of the day.'' This place contains about ten Jews.*
Half a day to Kala' Jiaber, which is Sela' Midbarah. This city remained in the power of the Arabs even at the time, when the Tho- garmim or Turks took their country and dis- persed them in the desert; it contains about p*g« si. i, two thousand Jews, of which R. Tsidkiah, R. Chia and R. Sh'lomo are the principal.
One day to Racca, which is Khalneh^ on the confines of Mesopotamia, being the frontier town between that country and the empire of theThogarmim or Turks'^ it contains about se- ven hundred jeAvish inhabitants, the principal of whom are: R. Sakhai, R. Nadib who is blind*
a. Proverbs X. 7. b. See above, Damascus, c. \>2D, a term not understood by former translators, see Baralier and Gerrans, and signifying the number of adult males, requisite to constitute a congregation and to allow of the performance of certain prayers in public, d. Gen.X. 1 O.Amos VI. 2. e. Mr.Gerrans, who understood no rabbinic hebrew, translates *the much enlighten'd'. s.p. 92. of his translation.
90 CHORAN. NISmiN. JEZIREH BEN 'OMAR.
and R. Joseph; one of the synagogues was built by 'Esra the scribe, when he returned to Jerushalaim from Babylon.
One day to the ancient place of Choran;* its twenty Jewish inhabitants also possess a sy- P«9t 5i. 2. nagogue erected by 'Esra. Nobody is allowed to construct any building, on the site, where the house of our father Abraham was situated; even the Mahomedans pay respect to the place and resort thither to pray.
Two days journey from thence is** on
the mouth of the El-Khabour, the Chabor of scripture.® This river takes its course through Media and loses itself in the KizU Ozein ; about two hundred Jews dwell near this place.
To NisiBiN two days ; it is a large city, richly water'd and contains about one thousand Jews.
Two days to Jezireh ben *omar, an island
page 52. 1. in thc TigHs, on the foot of mount Ararat and
four miles distant from the place, on which the
a. Gen.XI.31. ILKingsXlX. 12.Ezech.XXVL23. b. the name ofthe place is omitted in the text. c. II. Kings XVII. 6. XVIII. 1. LChron. V. 26. compare: Ezech. I. 3. III. 15. 23. X. 15. 22; Chabotaa gr. and lat.
MOSUL. NINIVEH. 91
ark of Noah rested; 'Omar Ben Al Khalab re- moved the ark from the summit of the two mountains and made a mosque of it.
There still exists in the vicinity of the ark a synagogue of 'Esra the scribe, which is visited by the Jews of the city on the 9 th. of Ab.* The city of Jezireh 'Omar Ben Al-Kha- TAB contains about four thousand Jews, prin- cipals: R. JMubchar, R. Joseph and R. Chiia.
Two days from thence stands Mosul, men- p«s* 52. 2. tion'd in scripture as: Ashur the great, which contains about seven thousand Jews, the prin- cipal of whom are R. Sakhai, the Prince, a des- cendant of king David and R. Joseph, surnamed *Borhan al Phulkh' who is astronomer of Seifed- din, the brotlier of Nureddin, king of Damas- cus. This city, situated on the confines of Persia, is of great extent and very ancient; it stands on the banks of the Tigris and is com- bined by a bridge with Niniveh.
Although the latter lies in ruins, there are numerous inhabited villages and small to^vn-
a. see p. 40. note.
92 RAHABAK. KARKISU JUBA.
ships on its site. Niniveh is distant one para- p«g* 53. 1. sang from the town of Arbiil and stands on the Tigris. Mosul contains the synagogues of 'Obadiah, of Jonah benAmilhai and of Nachum Haelkoshi.
Three days to Raiiabah, which is *Recho- both by the river'* Euphrates and contains about two thousand Jews, the principal of whom are; R. Chiskiiah, R. Ehud and R. Jitschak. The city is surrounded by a wall, is very hand- some, large and well fortified; the environs abound with gardens and orchards.
One day to Karkisia, the ancient Kharkh'- mish*', on the banks of tlie Euphrates, contju- P««e 53. 2. ning about five hundred Jewish inhabitants; principals: R Jitschak and R. Elchanan.
Two days to Juba, which is Pumbedilha in Neharde'a, containing about two thousand Jews, some of them being eminent scholars. The Rabbi R. Chen, R. Moshe and R. Eliakim are the principal of them. Here the traveller may see the sepulchres of R. Jehuda and R.
a. Gen. XXXVI. 37. b. Isaiah X. 9. Jercm. XLVI.2. IL Chron. XXXV. 20.
CHARDAH. OKBERA. BAGDAD. 93
Sh'muel opposite to two synagogues, wliich they erected during their Hves, also the sepulchre of R. Boslhenai, the prince of the captivity, of R. Nathan and of R. Nachman B. Papa. page 54.1.
Five days to Chardah or Chadrah with fifteen thousand Jews of whom R. Saken, R. Joseph and R. JN'lhanel are the principal.
Two days to Okbera, the city which was built by Jekhoniah king of Jehuda;' it con- tains about ten thousand Jews, the principal of whom are R. Jehoshua' and R. Nathan.
Two days from thence stands Bagdad, the large metropolis of the Khalif Emir al Mume- nin** al 'Abassi of the family of their prophet, who is the chief of the mahomedan rehgion. All mahomedan kings acknowledge him and he page 54. 2. holds the same dignity over them, which the Pope enjoys over the christians.
The palace of the Khahf at Bagdad is three miles in extent, it contains a large park of all sorts of trees, both useful and ornamental and all sorts of beasts, as well as a pond of water
a. 1 Kings XXIV. 8. and foil. b. Commander of the faithful.
94 BAGDAD.
led ihilher from the river Tigris; and when- ever the Khalif desires to enjoy Iiimself and to sport and to carouse, birds, beasts and fishes are prepared for him and for his councillors, whom he invites to his palace.
page 55. 1. This great Abasside is extremely kind to- wards the Jews, many of his officers being of that nation; he understands all languages, is well versed in the mosaic law and reads and writes the hebrew language.
He enjoys nothing, but what he earns by the labour of his own hands and therefore ma- nufactures coverlets which he stamps with his seal and which his officers sell in the public market; these articles are purchased by the nobles of tlie land and from their produce his necessaries are provided.
The Khalif is an excellent man, trustworthy and kind- hearted towards every one, but ge- nerally invisible to the mahomedans. The pil- grims, which come hither from distant coun-
P«ge55. 2. tries on their way to Mekha in Yemen, desire to be presented to him and thus address him from the palace: 'Our Lord, light of the ma-
BAGDAD. 95
homedans and splendor of our religion, show us the hrighlness of thy countenance', but he heeds not their words. His servants and offi- cers then approach and pray: *0 Lord, mani- fest thy peace to those men, who come from distant lands and desire shelter in the sha- dow of thy glory* and after such petition he rises and puts one comer of his garment out of the window, which is eagerly kissed by the PHt« 56. u pilgrims. One of the lords then addresses them thus: *go in peace, for our Lord, the light of the mahomedans, is well pleased and gives you his blessing.' This prince being esteemed by them equal to their prophet, they proceed on their way, full of joy at the words addres- sed to them by the lord, who communicated the message of peace.
All the brothers and other members of the Khalirs family, are accustomed to kiss his gar- ments, and every one of them possesses a pa- lace within that of the Khalif, but they are all felier'd by chains of iron, and a special officer is appointed over every household to prevent their rising in rebellion against the great king. f»g« se 2.
OG BAGDAD.
Tliese measures are enaclcd in consequence of an occurence, which look place some lime ago and upon which occasion Ihe hrollicrs rebelled and elected a king among ihemselvcs; lo pre- vent Ihis in fulure it was decreed, that all Uie mem])ers of the KhaliPs family should he chai- ned, in order lo prevenl iheir rebeUious inlen- lions. Every one of them, however, resides in his palace, is there much honored and they possess villages and towns, the rents of which are collected for Uiem by their stewards-, ihey eat and drink and lead a merry hfe.
The palace of the great king contains large buildhigs, pillars of gold and sih er, and treasu- P«K«5:. 1 I'cs* of precious stones.
The Khalif leaves his palace but once every year, viz. at the time of the feast called Ramadan. Upon this occasion many visitors assemble from distant j)arts, in order lo have an opportunity of beholding his countenance. He then bestrides the royal mule, dressed in kingly robes, which are conn)oscd of gold and
a. mj^izno synouiuious with D^:iDtOO, treasure. Gen. XLIU. 23.
BAGDAD. 97
silver clolh. On his head he wears a Uirban, ornamented wilh precious slones of ineslim- able value; but over this turban is thrown a black veil, as a sign of humihly and as much as to say: See all this wordly honor will be converted into darkness on the day of death. He is accompanied by a numerous retinue of page 57. 2. mahomedan nobles, array'd in rich dresses and riding upon horses, princes of Arabia, of Me« dia, of Persia and even of Tibet, a country di- stant three months journey from Arabia.
This procession goes from the palace to Ihe Mosque on the Botsra gate, which is the metropolitan Mosque. All those who walk in procession arc dressed in silk and purple, both men and women. The streets and squares are enhven'd by singing, rejoicings" and by parties who dance before the great king, called Kha- lif. He is loudly saluted by the assembled crowd page 58. i. who cry : ^Blessed art thou our Lord and King' he thereupon kisses his garment and by holding it in his hand, acknowledges and returns the
a. p-i, Psaluis XXXIII. 1 ; joy fulness, ibid. XCVIU. 8.
5
98 BAGDAD.
compliment. The procession moves on, inlo Uie court of the mosque, where the Khahf mounts a wooden pulpit and expounds their law unto them. The learned Mahomedans rise, pray for him and praise his great kindness and piety, upon which the whole assembly answer: Amen! He then pronounces his blessing and kills a camel, which is led thither for that purpose, and this is their offering, which is distributed to the nobles. These send portions of it to their frieiida who are eager to taste of the
page 58. 2. meat killed by the hands of their holy king and are much rejoiced therewith. He then leaves the Mosque, and returns alone, to his palace, along the banks of the Tigris, the no- ble ftlahomedans accompanying him in boats until he enters this building; he never retuins by tlie way he came, and the path on the bank of the river is carefully guarded all the year round, to as so prevent any one trea- ding in his footsteps. The Khalif never leaves his palace again, for a whole year.
He is a pious and benevolent man and has
poge 59. 1. erected buildings on the other side of the ri-
BAGDAD. 01)
ver, on ihe banks of an arm of ihe Euphrales, which runs on one side of the city. These ])iiil- dings inckide many large houses, streets and ho- sleh'ies for the sick poor, who resort thilher in or- der to be cured. There are about sixty medical warehouses here, all well provided from the kings stores with spices and other necessaries; and every patient who claims assistance is fed at the king's expense, until his cure is completed. There is furlhcr the large building, called *Dar - al-Maraphlan,'' in which are locked up all those insane persons who are met with, par- page 59. 2 ticularly during the hot season, every one of whom is secured by iron chains until his rea- son returns, when he is allowed to return to his home. For this purpose they are regularly examined once a month by the kings officers, appointed for that purpose , and when they are found to be possessed of reason they are imme- diately liberated. All this is done by the king in pure charily, towards all who come to Bagdad,
a. Dar-al-Morabittan in arable, litterally: abode of those Mho require bciog chained, i. e. of the ra- ving mad. D^Ohsson.
100 BAGDAD.
eilher ill or insane, for ihe king is a pious man and his intenlion is excellent in Ihis respect. Bagdad* is inhabited by about one thousand
psgeco 1. Jews, who enjoy peace, comfort and much honor under the government of the great king. Among them are very wise men and presi- dents of the colleges, whose occupation is the study of the mosaic law.
The city contains ten colleges, the princi- pal of the great college is the Rabbi R. Sh'muel Ben *Eh, principal of the college Geon Ja'a- cob. The provost of the leviles is the presi- dent of the second, R. Daniel the master of the third college. R. EPasar the fellow, pre- sides the fourth, R. El'asar Ben Tsemach the fifth college. He is master of the studies and possesses a pedigree of his descent from the
page 60. 2. prophct Sh'muel, who rests in peace, and he and his brothers know the melodies, that were sung in the temple during ils existence. R. Cha- sadiah, principal fellow, is the master of the sixth, R. Chagai the prince, the principal of the sevenlh and R. 'Esra the president of the eighth college. R. Abraham, called Abu Tahir, presi-
BAGDAD. 101
des over ihe ninlh and R. Sakhai B. Boslhenai, master of the studies, over the tenth college. All these are called Batlanim Uhe Idle' because their pagcsi. i. sole occupation consists in the discharge of public business. During every day of the week they dispense justice to all the Jewish inhabi- tants of the country, except on monday, which is set aside for assembhes under the presi- dency of tlie Rabbi Sh'muel, master of the col- lege Geon Ja'acob, who on that day dispenses justice to every applicant and is assisted therein by the ten Batlanim, presidents of the colleges. The principal of all these however, is R. Daniel Ben Chisdai, who bears the titles of: Prince of the Captivity and Lord and who possesses a pedigree, which proves his descent from king David. The Jews call him 'Lord, pas* 6i'^- Prince of the captivity' and the mahomedans: 'Saidna Ben Daoud' nohle descendant of David ^ and he holds great command over all Jewish congregations under the authority of the Emir al Mumenin (X*omman<fer of the faithful) the Lord of the Mahomedans, who has commanded to res- pect him, and has confirmed his power by gran-
102 BAGDAD.
ling him a seal of office. Every one of his sub- jecls, whelher he be Jew or Mahomedan or of any other failh, is commanded lo rise in ihe presence of ihe Piince of the caplivily and lo sahile him respeclfuUy under penally of one hundred slripes. Whenever he pays a visit lo ihe king, he is escorted by numerous horsemen, both Jews
page G2. 1 . i^nd gcutilcs and a crier commands aloud: ^rnake way before our Lord llie son of David as becomes his dignity' in arabic: ^A'milu la- nk La-Saidna Ben Daud.' Upon, these occa- sions he rides upon a horse and Jiis dress is composed of cmbroidcr'd silk; on his head he wears a large turban, cover'd by a white cloth and surmounted by a chain or diadem.
The authority of the Prince of the Cap- tivity extends over the following countries viz: over Mesopotamia; Persia; Khorassan; S'ba which is Yemen; Diarbckh; all Armenia and
page G2. 2. ihs Land of Kola near mount Ararat ; over ihe country of the Alaniahs, which is shut in by mountains and has no outlet except by the iron gates, which were made by Alexander; over Sikbia and all the provinces of ihe Turk-
BAGDAD. 103
mans unlo ihe Aspisian mounlains; over ihe country of ihe Georgians unlo the river Oxus, (ihese are ihe Girgasliim* of scripture and be- lieve in Christianity) and as far as the frontiers of the provinces and cities of Tibet and India. Permission is granted by the Prince of Capti- vity to all the Jewish congregations of these different countries to elect rabbis and mini- i"»ge 63. i. slers, all of whom appear before him in order to receive consecration'* and the permission to officiate, upon which occasions presents and valuable gifts are offer'd to him even from the remotest countries.
The Prince of the Captivity possesses hoslelries, gardens and orchards in Babylonia and extensive landed property inherited from his fo- refathers, of which nobody dares deprive him. He enjoys a certain yearly income from the Jewish hoslelries, the markets and the mer- chandise of the country, which is levied in form
a. Gen. X. 16. XV. 21. Joshua XXV. 11. b. TiD^OD, the ceremony of consecration, ijerformed by the Prince of captivity, consisted la his layiDg his hands on the heads of the candidates.
104 BAGDAD.
of a lax, over and above what is presented lo him from foreign countries; ihe man is very rich, an excellent scholar and so hospitable that numerous Israelites dine at his table every day. page 63. 2. At the timc of the installation of the Prince OF THE Captivity he spends considerable sums in presents to the king, or Khalifa his piinces and nobles. The ceremony is performed by the act of the laying on of the hands of the king or Kha- lifa after which the Prince rides home from the king's abode to his own house, seated in a royal state carriage and iiccompanied by the sound of various musical instruments; he afterwards lays his hands on" the gentlemen of the university. Many of the Jews of Bagdad are good scho- lars and very rich, the city contains twenty- page 64. 1. eight Jewish synagogues, situated partly in Bag- dad and partly in Al-Khorkh, on the other side of the river Tigris, which runs through and di- vides tlie city. The metropolitan synagogue of the Prince of the Captivity is ornamented with pillars of richly coloured marble, plated
a. Reinstals.
BAGDAD. GIHIAGIN. 105
with gold and silver; on the pillars are inscri- bed verses of the psalms in lellers of gold. The ascent lo the holy ark* is composed of ten marble steps on the uppermost of which are the stalls set apart for the Prince of the Captivity and the other princes of the house of David.
The circumference of the cily of Bagdad measures three miles, the country in which it ?•«« 64. i is situated is rich in palm - trees, gardens and orchards so that nothing equals it in IMesopo- tamia; merchants of all countries resort thilher for purposes of trade and it contains many ^vise philosophers, well skilled in sciences, and magi- cians, proficient in all sorts of witchcraft.
Two days from thence stands Gihiagin or Ras-al-Aien, which isResen Hhe great cily*;** it contains about five thousand Jews and a large synagogue. In a house near the synagogue is the sepulchre of*" . . . . and in a cave below il, that of his twelve disciples.
a. The place, where the rolls of the Pentateuch are deposited ; it is generally elevated above the seats of the congregation, b. Gen. X. 12. c. The name
lOG BABYLON. HILLAH.
page 65. 1. To Babylon onc day, ihis is the ancient Babel* and now lies in ruins but the streets still extend thirty miles. Of the palace of Ne- buchadnetsar the ruins are still to be seen, but people are afraid to enter it on account of the serpents and scorpions, by which it is infested.
Twenty thousand Jews live within about Iwenty miles from thence, who perform their worship in the synagogue of Daniel, who rests in peace. This synagogue is of remote anti- quity, having been built by Daniel himself; it is constructed of solid stones and biicks.
Here the traveller may also behold the pa- lace of Mebuchadnetsar with the buming fiery page 65.2. furnace^ into which were thrown Chananiah, Mishael and 'Asariah,*" it is a valley well known to every one.
Hillah, which is at a distance of five miles, contains about ten thousand Jews and four syna- gogues, one of which is that of R. Meier whose sepulchre is in front of it, anolher is that ofR.
is omitted in all editions, a. Gen. X. 10. XI. 9. II. Kings XVII. 24. XX. 12. MiohalV. 10. b. Dan. m. 6.11. 15. 17. c. ibid. I. 6. 11.17.
HILLAH. NAPACIIA. 107
S'iri Ben Chama and R. Win; public worship is performed daily in Ihese synagogues.
The tower built by the dispersed generation* is four miles from thence. It is constructed of biicks called Al-ajur; the base measures two miles, the breadth two hundred and forty yards and the hight about one hundred canna. A spi- page gg. t ral passage, built into the tower (from ten to ten yards,) ^ leads up to the summit from which there is a prospect of twenly miles, the coun- try being one wide plain and quite level. The heavenly fire, which struck the Tower, split it to its very foundation.
Half a day from ihence, at Napacha, which contains two hundred Jews, is the synagogue of R. Jilschak Napacha, in front of which is his sepulchre.
Three parasangs from ihence on the banks of the Euphrates, stands ihe synagogue of the PROPHET J'cuESKEL, comtuouft/ EzekicJ , who rests in peace. The place of the synagogue is page oa •> fronted by sixty lowers, the room between every
a. Gen. XI. b. see notes.
108 SEPULCHRE OF j'CHESKEL.
Iwo of which is also occupied by a synagogue ; in ihe court of ihe largest slands the ark and behind it is the sepulchre of J'cheskel Ben Busi the Cohen. This monument is covered by a large cupola and the building is very hand- some; it was erected by J'khoniah king of Je- huda and the thirty five thousand Jews w^ho went along with him, when Evil M'rodakh re- leased him from ihe prison,* which w\as situated between the river Chaboras and another river. The name of J'khoniah and of all those who came with him are inscribed on the wall, the pageGT.i. kings name first, that of J'cheskcl last.
This place is consider'd holy even to tlie present day, and is one of those, to which peo- ple resort from remote countries in order to pray, particularly at the season of new year and atonement day.^ Great rejoicings take place there about this time, which are attended even by the Prince of the Captivity and the presi- dents of the colleges of Bagdad. The assem-
a. II. Kings XXV. 27. Jerem. LII. 31. b. These days are celebrated on the first and tenth of Thishri (about the end of Sfpt. or beginning of Oct.)
SEPULCHRE OF j'CHESKEL. 109
bly is so large thai their temporary abodes co- ver twenty two miles of open ground, and at- tracts many arabian merchants, who keep a market or fair.
On the day of atonement the proper lesson of Ihe day is read from a very large manuscript Pentateuch of J'eheskel's own handwriting.*
A lamp burns night and day on the se- page 67. 2 pulchre of the prophet and has always been kept burning, since the day he lighted it himself; the oil and wicks are renewed as often as ne- cessary. A large house belonging to the sanc- tuary contains a very numeious collection of books, some of them as ancient as the second, some even coeval with the first temple, it being the custom that whoever dies childless, bequea- thes his books to this sanctuary. The inhabi- tants of the country lead to the sepulchre, all foreign Jews who come from Media and Per- sia to visit it in consequence of vows they have performed.
The noble mahomedans also resort thither
a. Neither Baratier (vol. I. p. 161.) nor Gerrans (p. 107.) understood the meaning of this passage.
110 AL - KOTSONAATH. AIN JAPHATA.
page 6s 1. lo pray, because Ihey hold Ihe prophet J'ches- keJ, upon whom be peace, in great veneration and they call this place 'Dar M'hcha;* the se- pulclire is also visited by all devout Arabs. Within half a mile of the synagogue are the sepulchres of Chananiah, IMishael and Asar'iah, ^ each of Ihem cover'd by a large cupola. Even in times of war neither Jew nor mahoniedan ventures to despoil and profanate the sepulchre of J'cheskel.
Three miles from thence stands the city of Al - KoTSONAATH wilh three hundred Jewish in-
lagess. 2. habitants and the sepulchres of R. Papa, R. Huna, R. Joseph Sinai and R. Joseph B. Cha- ma, in front of each of which is a synagogue, in which Jews daily pray.
To AiN Japhata three parasangs, this place contains the sepulchre of the prophet JNachum the Elkoshite who rests in peace. In a persian village, a day from thence are the sepulchres of R. Chisdai, R. 'Akiba and R. Dossa and in another village, situated at half a days distance
a. Agreable abode, b. Dauiel III. 1 2.
KUFA. SURA. SHAFJATHIB. Ill
ill ihe desert, ihose of R. David, R. Jluidah, R. Kubreh, R. S'chora and R. Aba and on ihe river Lcga, a distance of one day, that of King Zidkiiahu", who rests in peace; the laller ispageCD. i. ornamented by a large cupola.
To KuFA one day, this city contains about seventy thousand Jews and the sepulchre of King J'khoniah, which consists of a large buil- ding with a synagogue in front of it.
To Sura one day and a half; this is the place called in theThahnudMalhalNrchasia and was for- merly the residence of the princes of the capti- vity and of the pnncipals of the colleges. The following sepulchres are at Sura : that of R. Shrira and of his son Rabenu Hai, that of Rabenu S'a- diah-al-Fajumi, of R. Sh'muel B. Chophni the Co- hen and thai of Z'phaniahu B. Khushi B. Geda- liah the prophet and of many other pnnces of the captivity, descendants of the house of David, who pagcco.'i. formerly resided there, before the city was ruined.
Two days from ihence lo Shafjathib. In this place is a synagogue, which the Israelites
a. II.KiuffsXXIV. 17.
112 EL-JUBAR. THEMA.
erecled wilh earth and slones brought from Je- rushalaim and which they called 4he transplan- ted of JN'harde'a;
One day and a half from thence is El Ju- BAR, or Pombedilha on the river Euphrates, which contains about three thousand Jews and the synagogues, sepulchres and colleges ofRab and Sh'muel. page 70. 1 Twenty one days journey through the desert of Sh'ba or Al- Yemen, from which Mesopota- mia hes in a northerly direction, are the abodes of the Jews, who are caUed B'ne (Children of J Rekhab," men of Thcma. The scat of their Go- vernment is atTHEMA** or Tc/mwiflr, where their Prince and Governor Rabbi Chanan resides. This city is large and the extent of their coun- try is sixteen days journey towards the norlhern mountain range. They possess large and strong cities and are not subject to any of the gentiles, but undertake warhke expeditions into distant provinces with the Arabians their ncigh])ours and
a. II. Kings X. 15. 23. Jerem. XXXV. 2. ami scq. I. Chron. U. 55. b. Isai. XXI. 14. Jcr. XXV. 23. see Gcsenius Lex.
THEM A. 113
allies 'lo lake ihe spoil and to take the prey. '•?•«€ 70. 2. These Arabians are Bedouins, who live in lenls in Ihe deserls and have no fixed abode, and who are in ihe habit of undertaking marauding ex- pedilions in the province of Yemen. The Jews are a terror to their neighbours; .their country being very extensive, some of Ihem cullivale ihe land and rear callle.
A number of studious and learned men, who spend their lives in the study of the law are maintained by the tithes of all produce, part of which is also employed towards sustaining the poor and the ascetics, called: mourners of Tsion, and: mourners of Jerushalaim. These eat no meat and abstain from wine, dress al- ways in black and live in caves or in low hou- page 7i.i. ses and keep fasts. all their hves except on Sabbaths and holy - days.*' They continually implore the mercy of God for the Jews in exile and devoully pray that He may have compassion on them for the sake of His own
a. Isaiah X. 6. b. Fasting being prohibited on these days by the Thalmud. This proves Niebuhr's sup- position that they were Thalmudists, to be correct.
114 THEMA. THANAEJM.
great name," and iliey also include in iheir prayers all the Jews of Tehama and of Telmas.
The laller contains about one hundred thou- sand Jews, who are govem'd by Prince Sal'- mon who, as well as his brother Prince Chanan are descendants of the royal house of David, who rests in peace, which is proved by their pedigrees. In doubtful cases they sohcit the page 71. 2. decisions of the Prince of the Captivity^ and set aside forty days of eveiy year, during which they go in rent clothes and keep fasts and pray for all tlic Jews who live in exile.
The province of which Thanaejm is the me- tropolis, contains forty cities and two hundred villages and one hundred small towns and is in- habited by about three hundred thousand Jews.
Thanaejm is a very strong city, being fif- teen square miles in extent and large enough to allow agriculture to be carried on within its
a. I. Sam. XII. 22. b. Baratler (vol.I.p.170) entirely misuiulerstoocl this sentence, Mr. Gerrans (p. 111.) of course translated like Baratier, neither of them knowing the meaning of the word ^i^bi^*2) in rab- binic hebrew.
TELMAS. CHAIBAR. 115
boundaries; wilhin which are also situated the palace of Piince Sarmon and many gardens and orchards. page 72 f .
Telmas is also a city of considerable mag- nitude ; it contains about one hundred thousand Jews, is strongly fortified and situated between two very high mountains. JMany of its inhabi- tants are well informed, wise and rich. The distance from Telmas to Chaibar is three days journey.
It is reported that these Jews are of the Tribes of Reuben, Gad and half the Tribe of M'nashe , who were led away captives by Shalmanesser king of Ashur and who repai- red into these mountainous regions, where they erected the abovenamed large and strong ci- ties. They carry on war with many kingdoms and are not easily to be reached because ofp»se72. 2. their situation, which requires a march of eigh- teen days through uninhabited deserts and thus renders them difficult of access.
Chaibar is also a very large city and con- tains among its fifty thousand Jewish inhabi- tants many learned scholars. The people of
116 WASET. BASSORA. SAMARRA.
Ihis cily are valiant and engaged in wars with the inhabitants of Mesopotamia, ^^ith those of the northern districts and with those of Yemen, who live near them; the latter province bor- ders on India.
It is a distance of twenty five days journey
from the country of these Jews to '^
on the river Virah in Yemen, which place contains about three thousand Jews. page 73. i. Waset is distant seven days and contains about ten thousand Jews, R. N'dain is of this number.
Five days to Bassora on the Tigris, wilh two tliousand Israelites, many of whom are leamed and wealthy.
Two days to * on the River Sa-
marra or Shat - EL - ARAB. This is the frontier of Persia and contains fifteen hundred Jews. The sepulchre of 'Ezra the priest and scribe is in this place, where he died on his journey from Jerushalaim to King Artaxei*xes, in front of pipe 73. 2. the sepulchre a large synagogue and a mahome-
a. The name of a city appears to be omitted here.
KHUZESTAN. SHUSHAN. 117
dan mosque have been erected, ihe laller as a mark of the veneration, in which 'Ezra is held by the mahomedans, who are very friendly to- wards the Jews and resort thither to pray.
Fom* miles from thence begins Khuzestan, 'Elam'' of scripture, a large province,^ which ho- wever is but partially inhabited, a portion of it lying in ruins. Among the latter are the re- mains of Shushan the MetropoHs and palace « of King Achashverosh, which still contains very large and handsome buildings of ancient date. Its seven thousand Jewish inhabitants possess fourteen synagogues ; in front of one of which page 74. i k is the sepulchre of Daniel who rests in peace. The river Ulai divides the parts of the city which are connected by a bridge; that portion of it, which is inhabited by the Jews, contains the markets, to it all trade is confined and there
a. Esia IV. 9. Dan.VllI. 2. b. Baratier I. 172. note 4. accuses our author of ignorance because he (Baralier) did not know that "ino means province in liebrew: As it is however the syriac and arabic for cUy^ it is very frequently used in that sense by Benja- min, e. Nehem. I. 1. Esther I. 2.
118 SHUSIIAN.
dwell all ihe rich; on the olher side of Ihe river they are poor, because they are de- prived of the abovenamed advantages and have even no gardens nor orchards. These circumslances gave rise to jealousy, which was fostered by the behef that all honour and riches originated from the possession of the page 74 2 remains of the Prophet Daniel, who rests in peace, and who was buried on their side. A request was made h^ the poor for permission to remove the sepulchre to the other side, but it was rejected ; upon which a war arose and was carried on between the two parlies for a length of time; this strife lasted until * their souls become loath'" and they came to a mutual agreement, by which it was stipulated that the coffin, which contained Da- niel's bones, should be deposited alternately every year on either side. Bolh parlies faith- fully adhered to this arrangement, which was however interrupted by the interference of San- jar Shah Ben Shah, who governs all Persia
a. Numb. XXI. 4. 5. Judg. XVI. 16.
SIIUSHAN. 119
and holds supreme power over forty five of ils kings. This prince is called in arabic: Siillan- page's, i • id-Fars-al-Khabir* and his empire extends from ihe banks of Ihe Shat-el-arab unlo the cily of Samarkand and ihe Kizil Ozein, incloses the cily of JNishapur, the cilies of Media, and the Chaphlon mountains and reaches as far as Ti- bet, in the forests of \vhich country that qua- druped is met with, which yields the musk ; the extent of his empire is four months and four days journey.
When this great Emperor, Sanjar king of Persia, came to Shushan and saw that the cof- fin of Daniel was removed from side to side, he crossed the bridge with a very numerous page 75. 2. retinue and accompanied by Jews and maho- medans and inquired into the reason of those proceedings. Upon being told what we have related above, he declared that it was deroga- tory to the honor of Daniel and commanded that the distance between the two banks should be exactly measured, that Daniel's coffin should
a. Supreme commancler of Persia.
120 RUDBAR. HOLWAN. MULEHET.
be deposited in another coffin, made of glass, and that it should be suspended from the very middle of the bridge, fasten'd by chains of iron. A place of public worship was erected on the very spot, open to every one, who desired to say his prayers, whether he be Jew or Gen- tile; and the coffin of Daniel is suspended from page 76. 1. the bridge unto this veiy day. The King com- manded that in honor of Daniel nobody should be allowed to fish in the river, one mile on each side of the coffin.
Three days to Rudbar* with twenty thou- sand Jews, among whom there are many scho- lars and rich men, but who generally live un- der great oppression.
Two days to the river Holwan near which you find the abodes of about four thousand Jews.
Four days to the district of Mulehet, the
possessors of Svhich are a sect who do not
believe in the tenets of Mahomet, but five on
page 76. 2. the summit of high mountains and pay obe-
a. Rudbar is a name, applied to many districts iu Persia, wliich lie along the banks of a river. Journal
Geogr. See. IX. 56. note.
MULEHET. AMARU. 121
dience to Ihe commands of the old man in the country of the Assassins. Four congregations of Jews dwell among them and combine mth them in their wars.
They do not acknowledge the authority of the kings of Persia, but live on their moun- tains, whence they occasionally descend to make booty and to take spoil, with which they retire to their mountain fortresses, beyond the reach of their assailants. Some of the Jews, who live in this country, are excellent scholars and all acknowledge the authority of the Prince of the captivity, who resides at Bagdad in Babylonia.
Five days from thence to 'Amaria vsith five and twenty thousand Jews. This congregation page 77. 1. forms part of those, which live in the moun- tains of Chaphton and which amount to more than one hundred, extending to the frontiers of Media.
These Jews are descendants of those, who were originally led into captivity by king Shalmanesser,* they speak the syriac language
a. n. Kings XVn. 3. XVUI. 9.
122 AMARIA.
and among them are many excellent Ihalmu- die scholars; ihey are neighbours lo those of the cily of 'Amaria, which is situated within one days journey of the empire of Persia, the king of which they obey and to whom they pay a tribute. This is collected by a deputy and amounts here as well as in all mahomedan
page 77. 2. countries to one Amiri of gold — equal to one and one third golden Maravedi — for each male inhabitant of the age of fifteen and up- wards.
About fifteen years ago there rose a man of the name of David El Roy of the city of 'Amaria, who had studied under the Prince of the cap- tivity Chisdai and under 'Eli the president of the college of Geon Ja'acob in the city of Bagdad and who became an excellent scholar, being well versed in the mosaic law, in the decisions of the rabbins, and in the thalmud; understan- ding also the profane sciences, the language and the writings of the Mahomedans and the
page 78. 1. scripturcs of the magicians and enchanters. He made up his mind to rise in rebellion against the king of Persia, to combine the Jews who
ASIARIA. 123
live in the mountains of Chaphton and with them to engage in war with all gentiles, ma- king the conquest of Jerushalaim his final object.
He gave signs to the Jews by false mira- cles and assured them : Hhe Lord has sent me to conquer Jerushalaim and to deliver you from the yoke of the gentiles;' Some of the Jews did believe in him and called him *Mes- siah.' When the king of Persia became ac- quainted "svilh these circumstances, he sent and summoned David into his presence. The lat- ter went without fear and when they met he page 78. 2. was asked: Art thou the king of the Jews? to which he made answer and said: I am! Upon this the king immediatly commanded, that he should be secured and put into prison in that place, where the captives are kept who are imprisoned for Hfe, situated in the city of Da- baristan, on the banks of the Kizil Ozein, which is a broad river.
After a lapse of three days, when the king sal in council to take the advice of his nobles and officers respecting the Jews, who had re-
6*
124 AMAWA.
belled against his aulhorily, David appeared among Ihem, having liberaled himself from prison without the aid of any one. When
page 79. 1. the king beheld him he inquired : who has brought thee hither or who has set thee at li- berty? to which David made answer: my own ^visdom and sublility/ for verily I neither fear thee nor all thy servants.' The king immedia- tely commanded that he should be made cap- tive, but his servants answer'd and said: we see him not and are aware of his presence only by hearing the sound of his voice. The king was very much astonished at David's ex- ceeding wisdom, who thus addressed him: I now go my own way! and he went out follo- wed by the king and all his nobles and ser-
page 79. 2. vants to the banks of the river, where he took his shawl, spread it upon the water and cros- sed it thereupon. At that moment he became visible and all the servants of the king saw him cross the river on his shawl ; he was pur- sued by them in boats but without success, and
a. ^mhznn, counsel, wicked or wise, Prov. I. 5. XII. 5. XX. 18. XXIV. 6.
AMARIA. 125
ihey all confessed, that no magician upon earlh could equal him. He that very day travelled to 'Amaria, a distance of ten days journey by the help of the Shem Hamphorash* and rela- ted to the astonished Jews all that had hap- pened to him.
This King of Persia afterwards sent to the Emir el Mumenin, the Khalif of Bagdad, prin- cipal of the Mahomedans, to solicit the influence page so. i of the Prince of the captivity and of the presi- dents of the colleges in order to check the pro- ceedings of David El Roy, and threatening to put to death all Jews who inhabited his empire. The congregations of Persia were very severely dealt with about that time and sent letters to the Prince of the captivity and the presidents of the colleges at Bagdad to the following pur- pose: Why will you allow us to die and all
a. Shem hamphorash, literally: the explained Dame, the letters of the word Jehovah in their full ex- planation , a mystery known but to very few, and by which woDders may be executed. The wonders per- formed by Jesus are ascribed by the Thalmud to his knowledge of this mystery.
126 AMARU.
ihe congregalions of this empire; reslrain ihe deeds of this man and prevent thereby the shedding of innocent blood. The Prince of the page 80. 2. captivity and the president of the colleges here- upon addressed David in letters wliich run thus : *Be it known unto thee tliat tlie time of our redemption has not yet arrived and that we have not yet seen the signs" hy which it U to manifest itself, and^ that by strength no man shall prevail. We therefore command thee to discontinue the course thou hast adopted^ on pain of being excommunicated from all Israel.' Copies of these letters were sent to Sakhai, the Prince of the Jews in INIosul, and to R. Jo- seph the astronomer, who is called Borhan- al-Fulkh*' and also resides lhere,wilh the request to forward them to David El Roy. The last mention'd Prince and the astronomer added let- page 81. 1. lers of iheir own, in which they advised and exhorted him ; but he nevertheless continued in his criminal career. This he carried on until
a. Psalms LXXIV. 9. b. I. Sam. U. 8. c. see p. 91. ante.
AMARIA. HAMADAN. 127
a certain Prince of the name of Sin -el -Din,* a vassal of llie king of Persia, and a Turk by birlh, cut it short by sending for the father-in- law .of David El Roy, to whom he offer'd ten thousand florins if he would secretly kill Da- vid El Roy. This agreement being concluded, he went to David's house while he slept and killed him on his bed, thus destroying his plans and evil designs. Notwithstanding this the ^vralh of the king of Persia slill continued against the Jews, who Hved in the mountains and in his country, who in their turn craved the influence of the Prince of the captivity with the King of page 8i. -i. Persia. Their petitions and humble prayers were supported by a present of one hundred talents of gold, in consideration of which the anger of the King of Persia was subdued and the land was tranquillized.
From that mount to Hajudan is a journey of ten days; this was the Metropolis of Media and contains about fifty thousand Jews. In front
a. see: Desguignes Hist, des Huns Ilia. p. 169.
128 DABARISTAJI. BBAHAN. SHIRAS. GIVA.
of one of the synagogues is the sepulchre of Mord'khai and Esther.
Four days from thence stands Dabaristan on the river Kizil Ozein ; it contains about four thousand Jewish inhabitants, page 82.1. Tho city of Isbahan is distant seven days jouiTiey, it is the metropolis and residence, being twelve miles in extent and containing about fif- teen thousand Jews. Sar Shalom, the Rabbi of this city and of all other towns of the persian empire, has been promoted to the dignity by the Prince of the captivity.
Four days distant stands SmRAS, or fars, a large city with about ten thousand Jews.
Seven days from thence to Giva,* a large page 82 2. city ou the banks of the Oxus, containing about eight thousand Jews. Very extensive commerce is carried on in this place, to which resort tra- ders of all countries and languages; the coun- try about it is very flat.
Five days from thence, on the frontiers of the kingdom stands Samarkhand, a city of con-
a. see notes.
TIBET. KHA2VIN. 129
siderable magnitude, which contains about fifty thousand Jews. The Prince Rabbi 'Obadiah is the governor of the community, which includes many wise and learned men.
Four days from thence is the province of Tibet, in the forests of which country that beast is found which yields the musk.
To the mountains of Khazvin on the river ?•«« Kizil Ozein, a journey of eight and twenty days. Jews of those parts, who Uve in Persia at pre- sent, report that the cities of Nisapur are inha- bited by four ti^bes of Israel, viz. the tribe of Dan, that of S'bulan and that of Naphthali, being part of the first exiles who were carried into captivity by Shalmanesser king of Ashur as reported in scripture:* he banish'd them to Lachlach and Chabor, the mountains of Gozen, the mountains of Media.
The extent of their country is twenty days
a. U. Kings XVII. 6. and XVUI. 11. where these verses are thus render d by the authorized trans- lation: And the King of Assyria did carry away Israel unto Assyria, and put them in Halah and in Habor By the river Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes.
130 KHAZVIN.
journey and they possess many towns and ci- page 83. 2, ties in the mountains, the river Kizil Ozein ma- kes their boundary on one side, and they are subject to no nation, but are govern'd by their own Prince, who bears tlie name of Rabbi Jo- seph Amarkh'la Halevi.^
Some of tliese Jews are excellent scholars, others cany on agriculture and a number of them are engaged in war wilh the country of Cuth, by way of the desert. They are in al- liance wilh the Caphar Tarac or infidel Turcs, who adore the wind and hve in the desert This is a nation, who eat no bread and drink no wine, but devour the meat raw and quite un- page84. 1. prepared; they have no noses, but draw breath tlirough two small holes and eat aU sorts of meat, whether from clean or unclean beasts, and they are on very friendly terms with the Jews. About eighteen years ago, this nation inva-
a. Of the Tribe of Levi, the descendants of which arc divided into Leviim and Khohanim and are the only Jews who to this day claim the descent from a certain tribe, all others having mixed and become extinct in the course of time.
KHAZVIN. 131
decl Persia with a numerous host and took the city of Rai, * which they smote with the edge of the sword'* took all the spoil and re- turned to their deserts. Mothing similar was seen before in the kingdom of Persia ; and when the king of that country became acquainted with this occurrence, his wrath w^as kindled, for, said he : in the time of my predecessors pag« 84. 2. no host hke this ever issued from the desert; I ^vill go and will extinguish their name from the earth. He raised the war-cry in the whole empire, collected all his troops and made in- quiry whether he could find any guide, that would show him the place, where his ennemies pitched their tents.
A man was met with, who spoke thus to the king: 'I will show thee the place of their retreat for I am one of them' and the king pro- mised to enrich him if he would act thus and show him the way. Upon inquiry how many provisions would be necessary for this long way through the desert, the spy answerd: take with page 85. 1.
a. Deut. Xm. 16. XX. 13. Joshua VI. 21. Vm. 24. X. 28.
132 KHAZVIN.
you bread and water for flfteen days, as you will find no provisions whatever before you reach their country. This advice being acted up to, they travelled fifteen days in the desert and as they met witli nothing that could serve for sustenance, they became extremely short of pro- visions and men and beasts began to die. The king sent for the spy and thus spoke to him: *what becomes of thy promise to show us our enemy'? no other reply being made than; 1 have mistaken my way' the head of the spy was cut off by the kings command.
Orders were issued to the host that every page 85. 2. ouc, who had any provisions left, should share them with his companion, but every thing ea- table was consumed, even the beasts, and after travelling thirteen additional days in the desert they at last reached the mountains ofKhazvin, where the Jews dwell.
They arrived there and encamped in the gardens and orchards and near the springs, which are in the vicinity of the river Ejzil Ozein. It being the fruit season, they made free \vith it and destroyed much, but no living being came
KHAZVIN. 133
forward. On the mountains however, they dis- cover'd cities and many towers and the king commanded two of his servants to go and to ?•«« 86. i. inquire the name of the nation which inhabited these mountains and to cross over to them, either in boats or by swimming the river. They at last discover'd a large bridge, fortified by towers and secured by a locked gale, and on the other side of the bridge a considerable city.
They shouted on their side of the bridge until at last a man come forth, to inquire what they wanted or to whom they belonged. They could not, however, make themselves under- stood and fetched an interpreter who spoke both languages ; the queries being repeated they replied: we are the servants of the king of Persia and have come to inquire, who you are and whose subjects. The answer was; we are page 86. 2. Jews, we acknowledge no king or prince of the gentiles, but are subjects of a Jewish prince. Upon inquiries after the Ghuzi, the Caphar Ta- rac or infidel Turks, the Jews made answer: 'verily they are our allies and whoever seeks to harm them, we consider our own enemy.'
134 KHAZVIN.
The two men returned and reported this to the king of Persia, who became much afraid, and particularly so, when after a lapse of two days the jews sent a herald to offer him bailie. The king said: 4 am not come to make war against you, but against the Caphar Tarac
pages?. 1. or infidel Turks, who are my enemies; and if you attack me, I will cerlainly take my ven- geance and will deslroy all the Jews in my o"\vn kingdom, for I am well aw^are of your superiority over me in my present position; but I entreat you to act kindly and not to harrass me, but allow me lo fight wilh the Ca- phar Tarac my enemy and also lo sell me as much provision as I want for the maintenance of my host. The Jews took counsel among themselves and determined lo comply with the request of the king of Persia for the sake of
page 87. 2. his jcwish subjccls. The king and all his host were consequenlly admitted into tlie counlry of the Jews, and during his stay of fifteen days he was treated "svilh most honorable distinction and respect.
The Jews however meanwhile sent infor-
KHAZVW. 135
malion to their allies, the Caphar Tarac, and made them acquainted with the abovemention'd circumstances; these took possession of all the mountain passes and assembled a considerable host, consisting of all the inhabitants of that de- sert and when tlie king of Persia went forth to give them battle, the Caphar Tarac conquered, killed and slew so many of the Persians, that the king escaped to his country with only very few followers.
One of the horsemen of the retinue of the king enticed a Jew of that country, of the p«ge Name of R. Moshe, to go along with him; he carried this man along with him into Persia and there made him a slave. Upon a certain day however, the king was the spectator of sports, carried on for his amusement, and con- sisting principally of the excercise of handling the bow; among all competitors none excelled this R. Moshe. The king enquired after tliis man by the help of an interpreter and was told what had happen'd to him and how he had been forcibly carried away from his country by the horseman, upon learning which the king not
136 KHAZVIN. KHUZISTAN. KISH.
only immedially granted him his liberty, but gave him a dress of honor, composed of silk and fine linen, and many other presents. A pro- posal was also made to R. Moshe, tlial if he
page 88. '2. would renouncc his religion for that of the Per- sians he should be treated with the utmost kindness, should gain considerable riches and be made the king's steward, but he refused and said *I cannot make up my mind to any such step'. The king however placed him in the house of the Rabbi Sar Shalom of the Ispahan congre- gation who in the course of time became his father-in-law. This very R. Moshe related all these things unto me.
From thence I returned to the country of Khuzistan, which lies on the Tigris, this river runs downward and falls into the Indian sea Cperaian gulf) in the vicinity of an island cal-
page 89. 1. led KisH. The extent of this island is six mi- les and the inhabitants do not carry on any agriculture principally because they have no rivers, nor more than one spring in the whole island and are consequently obliged to drink rain water.
KISH. EL-CATfflP. 137
It is however a considerable market, being the point, to which the indian merchants and those of the islands bring their commodities; while the traders of Mesopotamia, Yemen and Persia import all sort of silk and purple cloths, flax; cotton; hemp; mash;" wheat; barley; mil- let;^ rye and all other sorts of comestibles and pulse, which articles form objects of exchange; those from India import great quantities of spi- p*ge 89. 2. ces and the inhabitants of the island live by what they gain in their capacity of brokers to both par- ties. The island contains about five hundred Jews.
Ten days passage by sea lies EL-CATrnp, a city with about five thousand Israelites. In this vicinity the pearls are found: about the twenty fourth of the month of JNisan'' large drops of rain are observed upon the surface of the water, which are swallow'd by the reptiles,
a. ^Mash, which is a sort of pea"* Lee's Ibn Ba- tuta p. 107. — AbdoUatiph calls it 'Masch', see de Sacy's Ed. p. 119. Edrisi: Mach, see Jaubert's Ed. p. 117, — These authors, 1. c. enumerate most of the articles mention'd above. b. pn. Ezech. IV. 9. c. in April.
138 CHULAM.
after this they close their shells and fall upon the bottom of the sea ; about the middle of the month of Thishri,* some people dive wilh the assistance of ropes, collect these reptiles from P«g«90. 1. the bottom and bring them up with them, af- ter which they are opened and the pearls ta- ken out
Seven days from thence is Chulam, on the confines of the country of tlie sun-worshippers They are descendants of Khush,** are addicted to astrology and are aU black.
This nation is very trustworthy in matters of trade and whenever foreign merchants enter their port, thi-ee secretaries of the king imme- diatly repair on board their vessels, write down their names and report them to him. The king thereupon grants them security for their pro- page 90. 2. perty, which they may even leave in the open fields without any guard.
One of the king's officers sits in the mar- ket, and receives goods that may have been found anywhere , and which he returns to
a. in October, b. Negroes; see Gesenios ^"O.
CHULAM. 139
ihose applicants, who can minutely describe them. This custom is observed in the whole empire of the king.
From easier to new year/ during the whole of the summer the heat is extreme. From the third hour of ihe day*» people shut themselves up in their houses until the evening, at which time every body goes out. The streets and markets are hghled up and the inhabitants em- ploy all the night upon their business, which pag« 91. ihey are prevented from doing in the day time, in consequence of the excessive heat.
The pepper grows in this country; the trees, which bear this fruit are planted in the fields, which surround the towns, and every one knows his plantation. The trees are small and the pepper is originally white, but when they col- lect it, they put it into basins and pour hot water upon it; it is then exposed to the heat of the sun and dried in order to make it hard and more substantial, in the course of which process it becomes of a black colour.
a. i. e. from April to October. b. nine o' clock in the morning.
140 CHULAH.
Cinnamon, Ginger and many other kinds of spices also grow in this country.
page 91. 2. Thc inhabitants do not bury their dead but embalm ihem with certain spices, put them upon stools and cover them with cloths, every family keeping apart. The flesh dries upon the bones and as these corpses resemble hving beings, every one of them recognises his parents and all the members of his family for many years to come.
These people worship the sun; about half a mile from every town tliey have large pla-
pa«« 92. i. ces of worship and every morning they run to- wards the rising sun; every place of worship contains a representation of that luminary, so constructed by machinery* that upon the rising of the sun it turns round with a great noise, at which moments both men and women take up their censers and burn incense in honor of this their deity. 'This their way is their folly.''* All the cities and countries inhabited by these people contain only about one hundred Jews,
a. Oar author calls it r]W>D, Witchcraft.
b. Psalms XLIX. 14.
KHANDY. 141
who are of black colour as well as the other inhabitants. The Jews are good men, obser- vers of the law and possess the Pentateuch, the Prophets and some Utile knowledge of the Thai- mud and its decisions.
The island of Khandy is distant twenty two ?»«• 92. 2. days journey. The inhabitants are fire worship- pers called Druzes and twenty three thousand Jews hve among them. These Druzes have priests everywhere in the houses consecrated to their idols and those priests are expert ne- cromancers, the hke of whom are to be met with no -where. In front of the altar of their house of prayer, you see a deep ditch, in which a large fire is continually kept burning ; this they call Elahuta, Deity. They pass their children thro' it and into this ditch they also throw p»e^ 93. 1 iheir dead.
Some of the great of tliis country take a vow to burn themselves alive ; and if any such devotee declares to his children and kindred his intention to do so, they all applaud him and say: 'happy shah thou be, and it shall be well
142 KHANDY.
wilh thee.* Whenever the appointed day arri- ves, they prepare a sumptuous feast, mount the devotee upon his horse if he be rich or lead him afoot if he be poor, to the brink of the ditch. He throws himself into the fire and aU his
page 93. 2. kindred manifest their joy by the playing of in- struments until he is entirely consumed. Within three days of this ceremony two of the princi- pal priests repair to his house and thus ad- dress his children: prepare the house, for to day you will be visited by your father, who will manifest his wishes unto you. Witnesses are selected among the inhabitants of the to^vn and lo ! the devil appears in the image of the dead. The wife and children inquire after his stale in the other world and he answers: 'I have met my companions, but they have not admitted me into their company, before I have discharged my debts to my friends and neighbours,' he tlien
page M. 1. makes a will, divides his goods among his chil- dren and commands them to discharge all debts he owes and to receive what people owe him ;
a. Psalms CXXVIU. 2.
CHINA. 143
this will is wrillen down by the witnesses •
to go his way, and he is not seen any more. In consequence of these lies and deceit, which the priests pass off as magic, they retain a strong hold upon the people and make them believe, that their equal is not to be met \sith upon earth. From thence the passage to CmNA is effec- ted in forty days, this country Hes eastward and some say that the star Orion predomina- tes in the sea which bounds it, and which is called Sea of Nikpha. Sometimes so violent a storm rages in tliis sea, that no mariner can page n. 2. reach his vessel ; and whenever the storm throws a ship into this sea, it is impossible to govern it ; the crew and the passengers consume their provisions and then die miserably. Many vessels have been lost in this way, but people have learned how to save themselves from this fate by the following contrivance: They take bullocks hides along with them and whenever this storm arises and throws them into the sea of Nikpha, they sew themselves up in the hides, page 95. 1.
a. A blank occurs here in both first Editions.
144 GINGALEH. KHVLAN. SEBID.
taking care lo have a knife in iheir hand, and being secured against ihe sea water, they throw ihemselves into the ocean; here they are soon perceived by a large eagle called griffin, which lakes them for cattle, darts down, lakes them in in his gripe and cariies them upon dry land, where he deposits his burthen on a hill or in a dale, there to consume his prey. The man however, now avails himself of his knife iherewith to kill the bird, creeps forth from the hide and tries to reach an inhabited coun- try. Many people have been saved by tliis page 95.2. stratagem.
GiNGALEii is but three days distant by land, whereas it requires a jouniey ot fifteen days to reach it by sea; this place contains about one thousand Israelites.
To Khulan seven days by sea, no Jews live there.
Twelve days from thence lo Sebw, which contains but few Jews.
Eight days from thence is Middle India,*
a. litterally : continental India.
ma'atum. nubia, assuan.. 145
which is called *Aden and in scripture 'Aden in Thelasar'.* This country is very mountai- nous and contains many independent Jews, who are not subject to the power of the gentiles, but possess cities and fortresses on the summits of the mountains, from whence they descend p«se 96. i. into the country of Ma'atum, with which they are at war. Ma'atum is also called JN'ubia, is a christian kingdom and the inhabitants are cal- led Nubians.
The Jews generally take spoil and plunder from them, which they carry into their moun- tain fastnesses, the possession of which makes them almost unconquerable. JMany of the Jews of 'Aden visit Egypt and Persia.
To the country of Assuan twenty days jour- ney. The road leads through the desert of Sh'ba, on the banks of the Nile,^ which comes down here from the country of the blacks. This country is go- vem'd by a king, whom they call Sullan-al-Cha- bash and some of the inhabitants resemble beasts ?»«« 96 2.
a. II. Kings XIX. 12. Isaiah XXXVII. 12. b. ]r2!^D. Nilus. see Castelli aunot. samar. ad Exod. II. 3. and Gescnius.
14G ASSUAN. CIIALUAH.
ill every respect. They eat the herbs, which grow on the banks of the Nile, go naked in the fields and have no nolions hke other men, for in- stance, they cohabit with their own sisters and with whomever they find. The country is ex- cessively hot and when the people of Assuan invade their country, they carry wheat, raisins and figs, which they throw out like bait, thereby alluring the natives. These are made captive page 97- 1 . and sold in Egypt and in the adjoining coun- tries, where they are known as black slaves, being the descendants of Cham.*
From Assuan to Chaluah twelve days ; this place contains about three hundred Jews and is the starling point of the caravans, who tra- verse the desert Al-Tsahara in fifly days on their way to Savila, the Chavila of scripture,^ which is in the country of Ganah. This de- sert contains mountains of sand and whenever a storm arises, the caravans arc exposed to the imminent danger of being buried alive by the sand ; those which escape, however, cany iron,
a. Gen. VI. 10. XI. 25., soc Gesenius DP. h. Gen. X. 7. I. Chron. I. 9.
CHALUAH. FAJUHM. MITSRAIM. 147
copper, different sorts of fruits, pulse and salt; page 9 7?. gold and precious stones are brought from ihence in exchange. This country lies west- ward of Khush or Abyssinia.
Thirteen days journey from Ciialuah stands KuTS, a city on the frontiers of Egypt, ^vith thirty thousand Jewish inhabitants.
To Fajuhm five days, this is Pi thorn, « con- tains about twenty Jews and some remains of the buildings erected by our forefathers even to this day.
Four days from thence to Mitsraim or MEMPms; this large city stands on the banks of page 98. i. llie Nilvis, called Al-Nil, and contains about two thousand Jews.
Here are two synagogues, one of the con- gregation of Palestine, called the Syrian, the other of the babylonian Jews (or those oflrnc.) They follow different customs regarding the division of the Pentateuch into Parasliioth and S'darim.''
a. Exod. I. 11. b. The Pentateuch is divided into 54 Parashioth of 7 Portions each, and the cus- tom of the babylonians as described in the text is practised at present almost universally.
148 MITSRAIM.
The Babylonians read one Parasha eveiy week, as is Ihe custom throughout Spain, and finish the whole of the Pentateuch every year, whereas pnge 98. 2. the Syiiaus have the custom of dividing every Parasha into three S'darim and concluding the lecture of the whole once in three years. They uphold however the long -established custom to assemble both congregations and to perform pu- blic service together, as well on the day of the joy of the law as on that of the dispensation of the law.'
Rabbi N'lhanel, the Lord of Lords, is the president of the Jewish university and in his capacity of primate of all the Jewish congrega- tions of Egypt, excercises the right of eleding Rabanim^ and ministers. He is one of the offi- cers of the great king, who resides in the fortress of Tso'an in the city of IMitsraim, which is the metropohs of all those Arabians, who obey the
a. The former is celebrated on the last day of the feast of Tabernacles (Deut. XVI. 13 — 15) the latter with the feast of weeks (ibid. 9.). b. See the explanation of this term in my volume of notes.
tso'an. 149
Emir- al -Miimenin" of llie sect of 'Ali Ben page 99 i. Abilaleb. All the inhabilanls of his counlry are called rebels, because ihey rebelled against the Emir-al-Mumenin* Al-'Abassi who resides at Bagdad and there is continual haired be- tween them.
The residence of Tso'an was selected, because it appeared most convenient. The prince appears in public twice every year ; once at the time of their great hoHday and the se- cond time at the moment of the innundation of the Nile. Tso'an is inclosed by a wall, whe- reas MiTSRAiM is open and the Nile washes one portion of it; the city is large, containing many markets and bazaars and very wealthy Jewish inhabitants. page 99. 2.
Rain, frost or snow is almost unknown here, the cUmate being very warm. The river over- flows once every year, in the month of Elul,*' innundates the whole country and moistens it to the extent of fifteen days journey. The wa- ter remains standing on the land during that
a. Commander of the faithful, sec page 222. b. August.
150 MITSRAIM.
and ihe following month, whereby il is mois- ten'd and made fit for agriculture.
A marble pillar, constructed with great skill, has been erected in front of an island; twelve yards of this pillar protrude above the level of the river and whenever the water rises to a
page 100. i. height sufficient to cover the pillar, they know^ that it has innundated the whole land of Egypt to the extent of fifteen days journey, whereas if one half only of the pillar be cover'd, it shows ihat one half of the country is yet dry. A cer- tain officer measures the rise of the river every day and makes proclamation in Tso'an and in MiTSRAiM in these words: 'Praise God, for the river has risen so and so much!'; the measu- ring and proclamation is repealed every day. Whenever the water submerges the whole pil- lar, it produces great plenty in the whole land of Egypt; the river rises by degrees until the whole country is innundated to the extent of fifteen days journey.
page 100. 2. The propHctors of land cause ditches to be dug along their fields, into which the fishes are swept with the rising waters and when the ri-
MITSaUM. 151
v^r retires into its bed the fish remain in ihe trenches, are collected by the proprietors and used for food; others sell them to merchants, by whom they are cured and sold in this slate all over the country. The fat of these fishes, with which they abound, is used by the rich of the land instead of oil, and they hght their lamps therewith. Those who eat of the fish and drink Nile water after it, need not fear any pageioi. i. bad consequences, the water being an excel- lent preventive thereof.
Persons who inquire at the reason of the rise of the Nile, are told by tlie Egyptians that it is caused by the heavy rains, which fall in the country of Abyssinia, the Chavila of scrip- ture, and which is elevated above the level of Egypt; this forces the river out of its bed and innundates the whole country. Whenever the overflowing of the Nile is suspended, they can neither sow nor reap ^and the famine Is sore in the land'"
The time for sowing in Egypt is the month
a. Geu. XLIII. 1.
152 tso'an.
of IMarchcshvan,'' after the river has reUred into its usual bed, in Adar^ lliey cut barley and in ISissan*^ the wheat. In the same month
page 101. 2 the following fruits are ripe: a kind of acid plum, called cherry; nuts; cucumbers; gourds; St. John's bread;'* beans; spelt -corn; chick- pease; as well as all sorts of herbs, such as: purslain; asparagus or fennel \ grapes; letlice; coriander; succory; cabbage; and wine. Upon the whole the country abounds with good things, the gardens and orchards are w ater'd partly from wells and partly from tlie Nile.*"
Above INIiTSRAiM the Nile divides into four arms. One of them goes to Damiella, which isKhaphlhor*" and there falls into the sea, a se- cond flows towards Rashid or Roseila, which
page 102. 1. is ncar Alexandria, and there falls into the sea;
a. November, b. March, c. April, d. Carob- Siliqua in latin, Carouhe or Carouge, frcnch^ this translation is traditional among Jeus and it lias been employed, although Abdollatif does not mention this fruit as one indigenous in Egypt, e. "nN"* litterally sea — See the note on this appellation of the Nile in the 2d. vol. of this work. f. Jercm. XLVU. 4. Amos IX. 7.
OLD MITSRAIM. 153
Ihe third lakes the direclion of Ashmiin, ihe large cily on the fronlier of Egypt.
The hanks of ihese four arms are hned on holh sides hy cilics, lowns and villages aYid are enliven'd hy numerous travellers, who journey holh hy river and hy Land; in fact upon the whole earlh there is no country as populous and as well cullivaled as Egypt, which is of ample territory and full of all sorls of good things.
From JNew- to Old IMitsraim is a distance of two parasangs. The taller hes in ruins, hut the siles of the walls and the houses may slill he traced at this day, as also the granaries of paj^i- io'.>. 2. Joseph, of which there is a large numher.
The pyramids, which are seen here are conslrucled hy wilchcrafl and in no olher coun- try or olher place is any llung erpial to iheuL They are composed of sloncs and cemenl and are very suhslanlial.
In the oulskirls of the cily is the very an- cient synagogue of our great masler IMoshe, upon whom he peace. An old, very learned inan is ihe overseer and clerk of this place of
154 BELBEIS. SEFITA. DAMIRA. MAHALEH.
public worship; he is called Al Sheikh Abiina- sar. Old Mitsraim is three miles in extent.
From thence to the land of Goshen* eight patce 103.1. parasangs; it is called Belbeis, is a large city and contains about three thousand Jewish in- habitants.
Half a day to 'Iskiil Ain al Shems, the an- cient Ra'amses,^ which is in ruins. Here are remains of the buildings, erected by our fore- fathers, and tower-hke buildings constructed of bricks.
One days journey to Al - Boutidg ; about two hundred Jews hve here.
To Sefita half a day; about two hundred Jews.
To Damira four parasangs; this place con- tains about seven hundred Jews. i.asc«03 2. To INIahaleh, with about five hundred Is- raelites, five days.
Two days from thence stands Alexandriah, Alexander the Macedonian, who built this ex-
a. Gen. XLV. 10. XLVI. 28. 34. XLVII. 27. L. 8. Exod. 1X.26. b. Gen. XLVII. 1 1 . Excel. 1. 1 1. XII. 37. Numb. XXXIII. 3. 5.
ALEXANDRIA. 1 55
Iremely slroiig and handsome cily, called it after his own name.
In the outskirts of the city was the school of Aristotle, the teacher of Alexander; the buil- ding is still very handsome and large and is divided into many apartments by marble pil- lars ; there are about twenty schools, to w hich people flocked from all parts of the world, in order lo study the aristotelian philosophy.
The cily is built upon arches, which are hollow below, the streets arc straight and some ps* loi. i. of them are of such extent, that the eye can- not overlook them at once; that which runs from the Roselta to the Sea-gate is a full mile in length.
The port of Alexandriah is formed partly by a pier, which extends a mile into the sea.
Here is also erected a high tower, called lighthouse, in arabic Minar of Alexandriah, on the summit of which was placed a glass mir- ror. All vessels, Avhich approached with hostile intentions from Greece and from the western side , could be observed at fifty days distance page loi 2. by means of this glass mirror, and precautions
loG ALEXANDRIA.
were laken against iheir measures. Many years after the death of Alexander there arrived a grecian vessel commanded by a man of the name of Tod'ros (TheodorosJ, who was of ex- treme cunning. The grecians were subject to the Egyptians at the time and the abovenamed Shipper brought a valuable present to the king of Egypt, consisting of silver, gold and silk garments. He rode at anchor in view of the mir-
pagc 105. i ror, the customary slalion of all merchantmen who arrived, and ihe keeper of ihe lighthouse as well as his servants were inviled every day by him, until they became very inlimale and paid one another frequent visils. Upon a certain day the keeper and all his servants were invi- ted to a sumptuous meal and were pHed so much with wine, that both he and his servants became drunk and fell into a sound sleep; this opportunity was seized by the shipper and his crew to break the mirror, after which feat they left the port that very night. From that time the christians began to visit Alexandria with small and large vessels and took the large is-
page 105. 2. land of Crete as well as Cyprus, which are in
ALEXANDRIA. 157
possession of ihe greeks unto this day; and ihe EgypUans have not been able to withstand the Greeks ever since.
The hghthouse is still a mark to all seafa- ring men; it it observed at the distance of one hundred miles by day, and at night bears a light, which serves as a guide to all mariners.
The city is very mercantile and affords an excellent market to all nations. People from all christian kingdoms resort lo Alexandria, from Valenlia; Tuscany; Lombardy; Apulia; p^ge i06. i. Amalfi; Sicilia; Ilakuvia; Catalonia; Spain; Roussillon; Germany; Saxony; Denmark; Eng- land; Flandres; Hainault; Normandy; France; Poitou; Anjou; Burgundy; Mediana; Provence; Genoa; Pisa; Gascogne; Aragon and JN'avarra. From die west you meet Mahomedans from Andalusia, Algarvc, Africa and Arabia; as well as from the countries towards Lulia, Savila, Abyssinia, Nubia, Yemen, Mesopotamia, and page loc. 2. Syria, besides Greeks and Turks, From In- dia they import all sorts of spices, which are bought by christian merchanls. The city is
158 ALEXANDRU. DAMIETTA. SUNBAT.
full of bustle and every nation has its own fonteccho" there.
On the seashore is a marble sepulchre, upon which are depicted all sorts of birds and beasts, all in very ancient characters, which no- body can decipher, but it is supposed, that it is tlie tomb of a king of very ancient date, page 107. i . who rcigncd even before the flood. The length of the tomb is fifteen spans, by six in breadth.
Alexandria contains about three thousand Jews.
ToDamietta, which isKhaphthor,^ two days; this place contains about two hundred Jews.
Half a day from thence to Sunbat, the in- habitants of which sow flax and weave fine
a. Est Fonticus domus grandis iu qua et nego- ciatones et merces eorum conservantur uln et fo- rum rerum venaliuin habent. Breidenhach. A mer- chants store-house, chiefe shop, or warehouse. Flo- rios iialian DicHonary, London 1611. Muratori considers this word as of arable extraction; tlie aui^- tator to Joinville (du Cagne) derives it from funda, a purse, and adduces in allucidation, that of bourse, a public place for the meeting of merchants. See Archneologia vol. XXL p. 366. b. See p. 152. note f.
AILAH. r'pHIDIM. SINAI. TENNIS. MESSLNA. I5l)
linen, which forms a very considerable arlicle of exportation.
Four days to Ailah, which is Ehni;* it be- longs to the Bedouin Arabs.
Two days to R'piiidim, which is inhabited by Arabians and contains no Jews. page 107. 2.
One day to JMounl Sixai. The syrian monks possess a place of worship on the summit of the mouni, at the base of which is a large village. The inhabitants, who speak the chal- dean language, call it Tour Sinai; the moun- tain is small, is in possession of the Egyptians and is distant five days from ^hxsRAiM.
The Red sea is one days journey from mouni SiNAi; this sea is an arm of the In- dian sea.
Back to Damietta, from whence by sea to Tennis, the ancient Chanes,^ an island of the sea, containing about forty Israelites; here are the confines of the empire of Egypt. page los. i
From thence in twenty days by sea to Mes- sina on the shore of the island of Sicily, which
a. Exod. XVI. 1. Numb. XXXIII. 0. b. Isaiah XXX. 4.
460 SICILY. PALERMO.
is situated on the strait called Lunir, an arm of the sea which divides the Continent of Ca- labria from the island of Sicily. This cily con- tains about two hundred Jews and is beautifully situated in a country, abounding with gardens and orchards and full of good things.
Most of the pilgrims, who embark for Je- rushalaim, assemble here, because this cily af- fords the best opportunity for a good passage.
Two days from tlience stands Palermo, a large city being two square miles in extent. It page 108. 2. contains the large palace of king William and is inhabited by about fifteen hundred Jews and many christians and mahomedans. The coun- try is rich in wells and springs, grows wheat and barley and is well suppHcd with gardens and orchards; it is in fact the best in the whole island of Sicily.
The city is the seat of the Viceroy, whose palace is called Al-hacina" and contains all
a. x:xi-.^t| in arable, i. c. castle, fortified pa- lace 5 both the first editions, which read rii'''li"»ri/N'(C.) and n:^^!i vhi< (F.) instead of: ni^^in^N are evi- dently corrupted. S. MunU.
CATANIA. TRAPANI. ROME. LUCCA. 161
sorts of fruit trees as also a great spring sur- rounded by a wall and a reservoir called Al- Behira, in which abundance of fish are preser- ved. The king's vessels are ornamented with silver and gold and ever ready for the amu- sement of himself and his women. pageio9. i.
There is further a large palace, the waUs of which are richly ornamented with paintings and with gold and silver. The pavement is of marble and rich mosaick representing all sorts of figures; in the whole country there is no building equal to this.
The island begins at Messina, where many pilgrims meet, extends to Catania; Syracuse; JMasara; Pantaleone and Trapani, being six days in circumference.
Near Trapani is found the stone called, Co- ral, in arahic Al-Murgan.
From thence you cross over and reach pas® <o9. '2. Rome in three days ; from Rome by land in five days to Lucca, from whence you get in twelve days to Bardin by mount Maurienne and over the passes of Italy.
Here are the confines of Germany, a coun-
162 COLOGNE. GERMANY.
try full of hills and mounlains. The Jewish congregations of Germany inhabit the banks of the great river Rhine, from Cologne, where the empire commences unto Cassanburg, the page no. 1. frontier of Germany, which is fifteen days jom- ney and is called Ashkenas hy the Jetm.
These are the cities in Germany, which con- tain congregations of Israelites, all situated on the river Moselle : Coblence, Andernach, Kaub, Kartania, Bingen, Worms and Mistran.
In fact the Jews are dispersed over all countries and whoever hinders, that Israel is not collected, shall never see any good sign and shall not live with Israel. And at the time, which the Lord has appointed to be a limit of our captivity and to exalt the horn of his anoin- pagoi!o.2. ted,* every one shall come forth and shall say: I will lead the Jews and I will assemble them.
These cities contain many eminent scho- lars, the congregations are on the best terms with one another and are friendly towards the far and near; whenever a traveller visits them
a. I. Sam. II. 10-
GERMANY. 163
they are rejoiced thereat and hospitably receive him. They are full of hopes and say: be of good spirit, dear brethren, for the salvation of the Lord will be quick like the twinkling of an eye; and indeed were it not that we had doubled hilherlo that the end of our captivity had not yet arrived, we should have assem- bled long ago, but this is impossible before the time of song arrive and the sound of the cooing turtle gives warning,* then will theP****"-^- message arrive and we will ever say : the name of the Lord be exalted!^ They send letters to one another by which they exliort themselves to hold firm in the mosaic law. Those that spend their time as mourners of the downfall of Tsion and the destruction of Jerushalaim are always dressed in black clothes and pray for mercy before the Lord, for the sake of their brethren.
Beside the cities, which we have already mentioned as being in Germany, there are fur- ther ASTRANSBURG, DumiSBURG, MaNTERN, Pi-
b. Psalms XXXV. 27.
164 BOHEMIA. SCLAVONIA. FRANCE.
siNGAS, Bamberg, Tsor, and Regensburg on ihe confines of ihe empire; all ihcse cilies contain
page 111. 2. many rich and learned Jews.
Further on is the country of Bohemia, cal- led Prague. Here hegins Sclavonia, called by the Jews who inhabit it Kh'na'an, because the inhabitants sell their children to all nations, which is also applicable to the people of Russia.
The latter country is very extensive, reach- ing from the gates of Prague to those o Kiev, a large city on the confines of the empire. The country is very mountainous and full of forests; in the latter the beast called Vai- verges are met, who yield the sable fur or er- mine. In winter the cold is so intense that
page 112. 1. nobody ventures to leave his house in conse- quence of it; so far the kingdom of Russia.
The kingdom of France, called hy the Jews Tsarphat, reaches from the town of Alsodo to Paris, the melropohs of it and has six days in extent. This city, situated on the river Seine belongs to king Louis and contains many lear- ned men, the equal of which are to be met
FRANCE. 165
with at present nowhere upon earth i they em- ploy all their time upon the study of the law, are hospitable to all travellers and on friendly terms with all their Jewish brethren.
May the Lord in his mercy be full of com- passion towards them and us and may he ful- page U2. 2. fil towards both the words of his holy sciip- ture: (Deuler XXX. 3.) Then the Lord thy God u'ill turn thy captivity^ and have com- passion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations, whither the Lord thy God hath scalterd thee,
Amen. Amen. Amen.
Finis.
NUMBER Cnu.-^
nriDD
3DP
D^ .... jinijnsy
tob -iio-jn
/3 ,^D OD ,jjD D^Dijnn
3D ,M
ip lio^n
ID
.nn:on
no .
3D .
1^ .
3^ .
3^ .
i<b .
3D . ,3D ,K3 ,3 ^ ,3:; ,y mD "ip ,tDD
X2P
nnDO
|
jia . . |
niDim-nDm |
«i» |
. . (^n:i) ]w>p |
|
3 . . |
. . nH'^'\ |
T |
. . n«nDi<^p |
|
top . . |
. . Diin |
np |
. .• . n^nD^p |
|
iD ,DD . |
. . . -on |
3 |
. . . . -jd:i p^p |
|
DO . . |
- . n^o-i |
nD |
.... ^bp |
|
-10 , . |
■ . 2^01 |
ta-* |
. . . ''^iniy^ip |
|
ID . . |
. . ,pT |
D^ |
.... r]b^vp |
|
:p . . |
. DDopn |
«"» |
.... nt<iDp |
|
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Dn-D-i |
D^ |
.... vpp |
|
ip . . |
. t<>Dipi |
IW |
. Oi<) DiDnp |
|
Ni . . |
. . N"'P"I |
V |
. . . «>:!0-)p |
|
Kp . . |
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np |
. . . . Djonp |
|
JOD,DD. . |
. . KDti^ |
:do |
D'^nnp-vnnp |
|
12 . . |
(IDIO) «Dtt^ |
TD |
. . . .Dionp |
|
D^ . . |
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:i:i |
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|
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i^DDon nn^ |
top . |
. . . :niDi2^p |
|
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lOD |
. . . nD^np |
|
D^ . . |
. D^jnoiti^ |
ID . |
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|
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N>P . |
. . . p-nDcyjjn |
|
:o . , . |
(D^) H^QW |
■j:? |
. nDin /iDiDn |
|
:>y . . , |
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'i'> |
. . . npi^Dn |
|
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n |
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|
lb . . |
(bn:) D^^^ |
ID ,150 .... Dnn |
|
|
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HD li^nn |
|
|
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,i<^ 1]) n ,:i non ,Non |
|
|
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top ,D ,D' |
|
|
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(V:;o) m^>^ |
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|
|
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3V/^ |
tv /ip |
nriDD
3P
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. . . p^i^n . . in n^3 nDp . • .m2i<n nDp . ''«ok;i ^^n n^p lij . . bi<i^^ n^p
-inDi<T ^DTIO nDp
(^m) D^onp
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(^m) imp
••iriDi ii;ip . . n^ip
lyj^^^D^ip
. . .!Dip
. vX^^ai^ip
. . nDip . . .pp
. Dip-np . . cy-np
no
no no
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3D
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(ni>io:x50ii?"ip)nin:50^'ip
ID i:? !2^
top
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AD ,3D ,13 ,22 ,D D"lD
,:iD ,D ,iy ,:i^ iy ,50D ,nD ,iD
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(nn) p^a
n>^>p^a . niDa
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. ^p2"»^DD
nnoo
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2D D>P ^P
no
ro ny ,:i:? DD ,ni)
np ,'ip
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7]2bD .nXD^D
n-iaio y^D . Ok) iod On3) nnoD . niD-ioD . . mDD . n^>5>''pD . nDip"iD . . .py . . ^Kiy . mapiy (nn) iJD^y . . ab'>v
nnD2^ Vy . . .W . . ]i05; . . no^y . nn^oy
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no
30
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tOD
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ID
3
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p-lD .pD
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... 313
. . t<^313 . . 0-313 . . tt?n313 . Dn!i13
. . D1^^3
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C^-in) "113D>3
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3pi:?^
(-i"»y) na . n3i<no
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(-in) n3-^i<niD (in) nniD . iniD
^Dnio^Q
. "»3D^D
. np>D -13T D^>p>a wi^^'>DbD
. . •'D^D . "]-l5013D
rp
nnco
|
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^'» ... nDn!3©"i3> |
|
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J!0 ni3> |
|
3t) . . |
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:j2 -13V |
|
{^"'P . . . |
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,50^ ,n' ,r ,rj ,:» ,d ^v |
|
1 -p HD . . |
. DTID^D |
ip P2 |
|
tib . . . |
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,jjD ,3 ,n'» ,vjj r.^ D^ii'' |
|
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1^ ,13 /ID |
|
3!i . . |
"•-^D .:n3n |
10 .... ^xy-ir |
|
NV ,r) . |
. . . P2D |
nD .... inn d> |
|
no ,-iD . |
. (nn)]>3uD |
10 .... n^on D' |
|
no . . . |
Dl^b IDD |
nii ,iii . . . i<Bpin D'' |
|
D^ . . |
. mm iDD |
10 .... niiD n> |
|
tp ,xp . |
. -iinDD |
10 ,r . . . miD D^ |
|
.13 . . |
. . li/^ODID |
ip . . . . P)ip D> |
|
^^^Xi' . |
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1^ .... r^ipi^' |
|
3D . . . |
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:io "jQ"* |
|
113 . . |
. . niO^i' |
10 , no ,10 . . . p-i"* n:; ,0 ly 1^ n^^'-yn^ |
|
too ,1D . . |
(nn) pi2i' |
|
|
1p /1^ . |
. . N'lDI^ |
np ,n3 ,.1 . . bt<:)o^'> |
|
VJ . . . |
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/O ,n^ . . D^^i<5;OC2?> |
|
10 . . |
. . . -n^ |
13 ,i<: ,wo /20 |
|
ID . . |
. . i<^pi^b |
ro .... (^M i<D |
|
2^ . . |
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ID ,X3 (in:) 11DD .IDD |
|
ip . . |
nii'^l'^2D^b |
HD ,jj:; . . . "jxnD^o |
|
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ii^^l'^o:^b |
n'j ...... .^^JiD |
|
rtn |
. . i'^2'\b |
ID ,.iD inn ^i< 1D1D |
|
• '1' • |
. , i'^:3i^ |
|
|
top t . |
. np^b ,i<p^b |
ly ,VJ 2^12 |
nnD?3
?!0p
1)i . .
WO . . i<3 . .
. . pan non ."on . . . can . . "jinen . . -n^^n . . rrnn
"ic ,tDD . . (in) iioin ro ,n:; ,2D . n"i::io ip .... nirciio
DO
« .... n^v^mw
10 ,iD ,JD . . ^iprnti ' ,n . . (nn:) cnn^w no .10 . . . nnn^io tio tt;2^!o
Dj; ,Xy . . . DXD^''50
no V'^'^
^p D>35D
n D{<Qi; bi< D1^DX-l5D
T .... "JSOiN-itO
top .... n3Di<ntD
tD .... ^Dnio K .... niiD-ito
T n»x:-)5o
too ,12 ... . piD^
DD .
tp ,NP :ip .
10 . 10 .
1P ,
tO''
ip ,tOD ,Dy ,20
j2 nxn
. lOX^'Ol
. nn^Qi . p2;oT
• • P
xpnoxii
. noil
mn
n!i
lb
lb
n!i
. nK^D^D i^iX mn (n^NT nn^) ^xn^n . . . DnDi< -in . . . . K^i^ji nn . . . D^n^n -in
yj toDf^n
. . . K2ih bi<n . . .(-in:) n.y-in
i^d:
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10
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x: .... o ....
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ip ,Np ,t>i . . no .... a ....
D^ixn -n^n pn^n ^pin
. n^''in r\b^n .2bn
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na .
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1^:) p "i^u
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(-in) D^riJi -lenn n:;
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pb
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r .D'i:'»^2
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,n:? ,np ,w . (-in3) ]m no ;:iD ,3D /ND
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1^ V^^"ii^
nc .... 2^n snji
nnDO
vp
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no /"JO /D . . :i^ . . . .
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n
3
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30
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. . . K''113
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1)i /VJ
3D
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Dnn3 D-»« n3i!i D-)« . . v<^"^i*
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n^CDH m-^K
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. K"3l3^p2^«
n n D D
ID . . . . l^D '?i<
22 .... b]i^o bt< N^p ,«op
2D .TJ^«
3'p .... mo ^«
ip . . . . sni; !»*< ip,i. . . .nnp-i'«
ta .... «nna bi<
na ]>!i ^«
no . . . nMi!iip ^j^
ip .... dk:2^ ba
^p .... TTin i'«
a> ^D^JOX
10 niDH
ip "jJiJi*
ip .... DiH:«
'p .... nDm:x
ID .... N^DIWiK HD ,DD . . . ]Nn3DH
ip ,np ,
"JID
D
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M
lOp 1^
tOD
J)
3D
V TD .
V /!DD :ip /3
tp ny
.«p
, . . . n>3N
,tD J DIIX
(in:) >h«
. . n3^K
. . \\b'>n
D'»5''« .ni<f'"'«
. . p^'DH . . ]K^K
. W2r\bH ,n2 .]0'>bt<
nNm:DD^i<
"ID n5J) ilpn 31-10 Pj-i.lnn 'C'a*
i^^ns'^s ns? mo ^ist Typ ns'iv D**^ x^ni a-p; n^^ "q^qr? n^n?n r\Tir?n >iTD "in; ^y n^^T' n'H] t:"Ni^ -r]^!?^ Dl'n Dnto| I'N D'opD 'TP^n n^i nb^^i DDT' nnin? o'pqiy p.tjn ^55 a'm 3^] 1515? 'pp^ n;4Q5{< 4^3 nni nt??ri • anin^n Dn'^^^t ^3 ay D'yi)
Ssp ?]V3p] 3^1 3ln3|* S^npp QD212
: noil' ?]^rl^^^ ;^ tj^^'dh i^ji| o'syn
I pX |PN |PN
: a !? t:* J 1 on
,T;>|53t3t5M .■> n'23 DDTJ
^^:^^] ]l^i^ ''!?'?^y ni^D m? ip-jnnn awn "'.^o^p a^pqi -i^p)?^. oS^n^ DnDp anini?; 0^45 'i5^?iS i:i?nnn
1^^:31 no^pn n?ip rpiQtj;^ni n^i n;p^n !p^?'i^?p n3nn ]5 o.^ nirnpn p.5;? ^^!l^^^ ci^^'pi ♦ an;i;^y_i D^ppq
nni^^ Dr^<ilp5 ^^"'^:3i2^ptj^5S^ p.5<? h':ip2 ]W5 p5?^ ld^ Dn^n anin^n an'.:;? onplD ^<^^n pN?7i •'t^q^s
ny.l ^^3^<l? •ly.t^'P n^ii? no^p $<^ni
ap] n'^^') Dnn p?s: ^^^^] no^pn DHi (° t^^^nvNj pip^ nl='nn i^^i^i?:
era ^ap s<';jo^>!t n^3 nTjn.p ]ni
p.t<l n*^ ^?? °^? D'ljiep ^N"ii?':
Sx-jty^ DSJ n:;.ri'. 5<Si 21D ]p'p n5<:i-» anpjrni^5 ^y nip?? Qg^n^ nv.51 ':?:? -ipi'N nnt^i niij^t ^3 tn in^j^'p j-^p I D;i3pj<! 'jf<j o'lin^n n^<i "q'^T^? D'ppq 'TP^n an? t^^'i^^n ntnpnii D'")3ni Dl:l'^^;? n^^ a'?qlN nl^npi t<3; DN] a'pln-iri] D'31-ipri bp^ ol^a^ iS D'E^Tj?) 13 D'npjy 'n;qp^ an'ip^ nyity^ '3 irnss inpi?; np^i n^^itj'p
ij"n 1J^:^? ^'?n i<Si ^pri 5<3 nbp
^V. ^.'W ly ^31J J<S 72^ D"i3pPP
Dn^spn ij^3p^ -linn Sip] -I'pTr? D'n^lB' Dni DCj'.n i?!?? Tpp npi<n
nK-i-i«i C. (•
(£p ^'33 '3-1 to
1 ap :d}) Wi] ior\ ijygj !?'.'d^ tj^^h
yplj^n ns^i] F]p?3i arnn D'siapi
nN*i; ti"-? N'nn ]n^r} ('^d?i D^lya^ nai 'rpipp in'^nri "Nn^ t^Fin j;;33
2D'p; n^^i?^ npii p_{<^ onaiy ns'pi n^pq nj^i^S n^a: t]-)^. npn |pi nr'N-iip "in cE'p on^ly) o'p; ")'y^ ni' -i^y^ n'it^ ('"N^pp-x nn^ypi p.^^ ^«^■^ j<'^4p!?^ tn^nri «'n p-|3 t^'';jp^N nl'?nj? Sp] niyaji onn n'Vp Slip Dir-i. -in^ Sy D^Dtj'1'
n^pq Tj^qp ^<';;p^« njjp p*]Q#j5
iN'iiio'K (••• n«ntoi'Di c. (" r:ai c. (*
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