Jewish Synagogue (Djerba)

Jewish synagogue
Salle de prire de la synagogue de la Ghriba
Local Name
Contact	33 48 '50 "North 10 51 '33 "East / 33.813889, 10.859167
Country	Tunisia
Governorate	Medenine
City	Hara Sghira (Er Riadh)
Worship	Judaism ( Sephardic )
Type	Synagogue
change

The jewish synagogue ( ) is a synagogue in Tunisia which is one of the main markers of identity Jews of Jerba , one of the last Jewish communities living in the Arab world. It is the subject of an annual pilgrimage to mark the Jewish holiday of Lag Ba'omer , bringing together thousands of pilgrims. It is also one of the main attractions of the island of Djerba.

His fame is based on many traditions and beliefs that emphasize seniority and the fact that it contains the remains of the Temple of Jerusalem. Historically, the pilgrimage brought together members of local communities and wider Jews of Tunisia and Libya neighbor. With the departure of Jews from Arab countries , visitors are mainly from France and Israel.

Like the other six Ghriba dispersed throughout the Maghreb , it stands isolated in the open field, one kilometer from the village of Hara Sghira (Er Riadh), one of two Jewish villages that account and that the island was inhabited until the ^twentieth century as the Cohanim , which, according to local legends, corroborates the fact that the Ghriba was founded by priests from Jerusalem. There are five synagogues, but in order to maintain pre-eminence of Ghriba, tradition dictates that the Torah scrolls that are used are kept Ghriba where they are brought in procession.

In 2002 , the building was subject to violent attack attributed to Al Qaeda.

The village where she is, also bears the name Hara Sghira (Little Quarter), houses a Jewish community of several hundred people. This property is also known as the Dighet, an alternative name from the Berber word from Hebrew meaning "door".

History

Ghriba means "beautiful" or "strange" in Arabic , and reflects the special status of the synagogue in the Jewish traditions of Tunisia. She is best known for a number of synagogues with the same name and located in various places of North Africa : Tunisia, Algeria and Libya.

According to legend the most popular print for the first time in a book by Rabbi Abraham Haim Addadi of Tripoli (Hashomer Emet published in Livorno in 1849 ) . They have taken away an element of the destroyed temple that was inserted into the synagogue ; visitors can see a stone embedded in one of the arches of the synagogue and would be the original stone brought from Jerusalem. However, these claims are speculative and can not be regarded as an established fact ^, : the most ancient synagogues known today are located in Israel and are contemporary with the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem around the year 70.

In another tradition related by the historian Nahum Slouschz from stories told by scholars Jerban early ^twentieth century , where today stands the Ghriba was a hill that no one was interest. One day, the Jews of Hara Sghira there discovered a beautiful young girl living alone in a hut made of branches . Surrounded by an aura of holiness, no one dared to come and see and ask the reason for his presence out of respect for him. One evening, they saw the hut on fire but were afraid to approach, thinking that the girl was doing the magic. Then, the fire was over, they approached the hut burned down and there discovered the girl died but escaped the flames. Realizing when he was a saint , they realized they should help him in his solitude and began construction of Ghriba on the site .

It is difficult to determine when the reputation of the Ghriba exceeded the original framework of Djerba. From the second half of the nineteenth ^century, one sees evidence emphasizing its sanctity is recognized beyond the Jewish community by Muslims . The synagogue attracts pilgrims from Tunisia and Libya's neighbor, always more. It is possible that the emigration of Jews at that time Jerban in these areas has contributed to the spread of the pilgrimage . We know from the testimony of Slouschz who visits the site at the beginning of the ^twentieth century the building was enlarged in 1860 or 1870 using the "tombstone that was found in the nearby cemetery the walls of the holy house " . He himself describes the building as a "square house, quite sober in appearance and totally lacking in style .

In the 1950s , a new oukalas (caravanserai) is constructed to accommodate the Libyan Jews. However, the community of this country will disappear completely in the 1960s and the new building remains empty .

At that time, the combined effect of extinction of the Jewish communities of Tunisia and Libya and the development of mass tourism are changing significantly the nature of the pilgrimage. Some travel agencies specifically targeting Jews from Tunisia to France are starting to offer packages combining religious tourism and resort .

In 1985 , the synagogue was once hit by an attack when a Tunisian soldier charged with maintaining order opens fire in the walls of the jewish synagogue, killing five people, including four Jews ^, . Another attack hits the building in 2002 : this time it's a Franco-Tunisian of 25 linked to terror network al-Qaida continues to driving a truck a murderous attack which claimed 21 victims .

Building

The current synagogue building modest tints blue , is made, unlike other synagogues in Djerba, two indoor arenas . After various architectural additions, it appears that the first room was originally an open court but later covered to accommodate a larger number of believers. At the entrance to it are two rows of columns dividing it into three parts. This room is connected to the main prayer hall by three arches. This last room also has two rows of arches supporting a skylight and high open many windows. Originally, there were twelve who symbolize, according to local tradition itself based on an instruction from the Kabbalah , the twelve tribes of Israel .

Series eternal lamps

Detail of roof

However, with renovations and subsequent amendments to the building, the number of windows increased. Subsequent changes are particularly evident on the north side of the building where they have caused changes from the original symmetrical plan of the building. The Teva is located under the skylight (at the western end of the prayer hall). However, the last column, east side, is missing and has probably never been built. Local tradition as a sign of remembrance of the destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem. In addition, it is claimed that the building should never be done because "nothing is perfect except god." Benches are placed around the Teva. The interior walls are decorated with tiles patterned decorative blue, white and brown in contrast to the exterior walls that are painted white. A niche below the ark indicates where the body of the girl have been found: it is known as the "cave girl".

The courtyard is surrounded by loggias covered and built on arches and columns. Adjacent buildings used as accommodation for pilgrims, the oldest having been built in the late ^nineteenth century and were followed by a second structure established in the early 1950's.

The religious atmosphere is maintained by oil lamps and songs chanted, reciting cons of batlanim contribution of believers. The pilgrims passing them slip little notes that crave a cure or successful. On the wall, votive metal represent houses, vases and Stars of David under a beautiful carved woodwork.

Like other synagogues in Djerba, Ghriba is located near a Jewish cemetery in ancient .

Pilgrimage

Pilgrimage of 2007

A pilgrimage annually, which is held at the Ghriba the 33 ^th day of `Omer , unites the Jews of North Africa. The festivities begin on 14 Iyar in commemoration of Rabbi Meir Baal Haness and continue until 18 Iyar (festival of Lag Ba'omer ), day of remembrance of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yohai locally known as Rabbi Shem'un. The pilgrimage includes a visit to the synagogue, the alms , and prayers and participation in one of two processions that take place during the last two days of the pilgrimage.

Oukalas to accommodate the pilgrims

The procession includes visits to other prayer halls in the village. Participants wear a large menorah mounted on three wheels. The chandelier is decorated with symbols representing the twelve tribes of Israel, the names of Tunisian rabbis revered names of the three patriarchs and four "matriarchs" and blessings in honor of Baal Haness Meir and Shimon bar Yohai. At the top is a star of David with the inscription Shaddai (name of deity). The structure is crowned by the Tables of the Law. The chandelier is decorated with various tissues, scarves of bright colors and sails.

The procession thus resembles a ceremony of marriage which means the mystical union between the people of Israel and divinity. Participants then sing songs in honor of Rabbi Shem'un a sentence which says: "Oh Rabbi Shimon! When you come to deliver us from exile! . In the evening, the luster is brought inside the synagogue and candles are lit on five rows. The Jews of Djerba, as well as foreign pilgrims, mingle inside the synagogue. It is also the only time there is no separation between men and women. In 1990 and 2000 , most pilgrims coming from abroad.

According to another local custom, women lay eggs marked with the name of an unmarried girl on a roof marking the spot where tradition says the body of the girl was found. The egg, a candle left near to the festival, then returned to the singles who, after eating, would be sure to find a groom.

Management

The synagogue is controlled by an independent administrative commission established in the late ^nineteenth century, when Djerba was under French protection as the whole country. The organization of the annual pilgrimage has become the main concern of this committee. Income from this pilgrimage is donated to the old inhabitants of the village and the local students of the Torah.

References

Leave a Reply