DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.10357#0366
332
PICTURESQUE PALESTINE.
one also at El Jish, or Giscala, and two at Kefr Beirim. These places are respectively one
hour and a half and two hours north-west of Meiron.
In a large rock-chamber at Meiron, containing thirty loculi, is shown the tomb of the great
Hillel and his thirty-six pupils, and at another point that of the no less famous Shammai and
his wife. Still other celebrated men were buried here, among them Rabbi Simeon ben Jochai,
JEWISH SHRINE AT MEIRON.
The town of Safed appears on the hill beyond, and on the right there is a glimpse of the Sea of Galilee. During the annual festival pilgrims burn
shawls, robes, and kerchiefs, more or less costly, at this venerated shrine.
the reputed author of the book "Zohar." It is on account of the latter that this place has
become a shrine of the Jews, to which pilgrimages are made every year. Not only do
pilgrims come from Damascus and the other towns of Palestine, but they have been known to
come even from Aleppo, Constantinople, Cairo, and Bagdad. The occasion is celebrated by
brilliant illuminations, dancing, and festivities of various other kinds, which are kept up not
only through the day, but often during the entire night. It is called "the Jubilee of Rabbi
PICTURESQUE PALESTINE.
one also at El Jish, or Giscala, and two at Kefr Beirim. These places are respectively one
hour and a half and two hours north-west of Meiron.
In a large rock-chamber at Meiron, containing thirty loculi, is shown the tomb of the great
Hillel and his thirty-six pupils, and at another point that of the no less famous Shammai and
his wife. Still other celebrated men were buried here, among them Rabbi Simeon ben Jochai,
JEWISH SHRINE AT MEIRON.
The town of Safed appears on the hill beyond, and on the right there is a glimpse of the Sea of Galilee. During the annual festival pilgrims burn
shawls, robes, and kerchiefs, more or less costly, at this venerated shrine.
the reputed author of the book "Zohar." It is on account of the latter that this place has
become a shrine of the Jews, to which pilgrimages are made every year. Not only do
pilgrims come from Damascus and the other towns of Palestine, but they have been known to
come even from Aleppo, Constantinople, Cairo, and Bagdad. The occasion is celebrated by
brilliant illuminations, dancing, and festivities of various other kinds, which are kept up not
only through the day, but often during the entire night. It is called "the Jubilee of Rabbi