British Mandate: A Survey of Palestine: Supplement - Page 128

synagogue replaced the worship of the Temple; hence the special importance of Jewish sites in Northern Palestine.

7. Always, and at all times during each and every captivity or dispersal, a remnant of the Children of Israel has existed. in Palestine, and throughout all ages the Jewish people, no matter what vicissitudes They endured, have recalled Jerusalem in their prayers, their songs of praise, and their hopes and aspirations

"If I forget Thee, Oh, Jerusalem.

Let my right hand forget her cunning."

These words were written about 500 B.C. by Hebrews, then held captive in Babylon.

8. Today, throughout the world, the Jews, in their prayers on the Day of Atonement and The Passover, use the words:-

''In Jerusalem next year."

9. There is evidence to show that, during the Roman occupation which led to the dispersal, the practice had already commenced of sending presents to the Temple in Jerusalem and of visiting the Holy City; thus began the custom of sending contributions to the Holy Places and of making pilgrimages to the religious sites. customs which have• had such a profound influence on the history of Palestine.

10. The following list gives details of the more important Jewish religious sites in the country, at which special ceremonies are held periodically :-

JERUSALEM DISTRICT.

Jerusalem Old City.

Mount of Olives and Kidron Valley.

Bethlehem. Hebron.

The Wailing Wall.

Ancient and modern synagogues. Traditional tomb of David.

The brook Siloam.

The Bath of Rabbi Ishmael.

The Tomb of Simon the Just, etc.

Ancient cemetery and Absalom's tomb. Tomb of Zachariah and

various other tombs.

Rachel's Tomb.

The Cave of Machpelah. Abraham's Tree.

The Tombs of Yisbay (Jesse, father of David) and Abner (son of Ner).

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