My Dear Father:
My first duty, as it is my highest pleasure, is to comply with your
command to write you as soon as I should arrive at Jerusalem, and this
letter, while it conveys intelligence of my arrival, will confirm to
you my filial obedience.
My journey hither occupied many days. When we traveled in sight of
the sea, which we did for three days, I enjoyed the majesty of the
prospect, it seemed so like the sky stretched out upon the earth.
I also had the good fortune to see several ships, which the Rabbi
informed me were Roman galleys, bound some to Sidon, and others into
the Nile; and after one of these latter, as it was going to you, I sent
a prayer and a wish. Just as we were leaving the sea-shore to turn off
into the desert, I saw a wrecked vessel. It looked so helpless and
bulky, with its huge black body all out of the water, that it seemed
to me like a great sea-monster, stranded and dying; and I felt like
pitying it. How terrible a tempest must be upon the sea! I was in hopes
to have seen a Leviathan, but was not gratified in the wish. The good
Rabbi, who seemed to know all about these things, told me that they
seldom appear now in the Middle Sea, but are seen beyond the pillar of
Hercules at the world's end.
At Gaza we stopped two days, and from thence we proceeded over-land to
our destination.
The morning of the last day of our journey but one, having lost our way
and wandered many hours eastwardly, we caught sight of the Sea of Sodom
and Gomorrah, at a great distance to the east. How my pulse quickened
at beholding that fearful spot! I seemed to see in imagination the
heavens on fire above it, and the flames and smoke ascending as from a
great furnace, as on that fearful day when they were destroyed, with
all that beautiful surrounding plain, which we are told was one vast
garden of beauty. How calm and still lay now that sluggish sea beneath
a cloudless sky! We held it in sight many hours, and once caught a
glimpse of the Jordan north of it, looking like a silver thread; yet
near as it appeared to be, I was told it was a good day's journey for a
camel to reach its shores.
After losing sight of this melancholy lake, our way lay along a narrow
valley for some time, and the next day, on reaching an eminence,
Jerusalem appeared, as if risen out of the earth.
I cannot, my dear father, describe to you my emotions on beholding the
Holy City! They have been experienced by millions of our people--they
were similar to your own as you related them to me. All the past,
with its mighty men who walked with Jehovah, rushed to my memory, and
compelled me to bow my head, and worship and adore at the sight of the
Temple, where God once (alas, why does he no longer visit earth and his
holy house?) dwelt in the flaming Shechinah, and made known the oracles
of his will.
We entered the city just before the sixth hour of the evening, and were
soon at the house of our relative, Amos, the Levite. I was received as
if I had a daughter's claim to their embraces; and with the luxuries
with which they surrounded me in my gorgeously furnished apartments.
I am sure my kinsfolk here mean to tempt me to forget the joys of the
dear home I have left.
The Rabbi Amos and his family all desire to be commended to you. He
seems to be a man of piety and benevolence, and greatly loves his
children. I have been once to the Temple. Its outer court seemed like
a vast caravanserai or market-place, being thronged with the men who
sell animals for sacrifice, which crowded all parts. Thousands of doves
in large cages were sold on one side, and on another were stalls for
lambs, sheep, calves and oxen, the noise and bleating of which, with
the confusion of tongues, made the place appear like anything else than
the Temple of Jehovah. It appears like desecration to use the Temple
thus, dear father, and seems to show a want of that holy love of God's
house that once characterized our ancestors. On reaching the women's
court I was sensible of being in the Temple, by the magnificence
which surrounded me. With what awe I bowed my head in the direction
of the Holy of Holies! I never felt before so near to God! Clouds of
incense floated above the heads of the multitude, and rivers of blood
flowed down the marble steps of the altar of burnt offering. Alas! how
many innocent victims bleed every morning and evening for the sins
of Israel! What a sea of blood has been poured out in ages that have
passed! What a strange, fearful mystery, that the blood of an innocent
lamb should atone for sins I have done! There must be some deeper
meaning in these sacrifices, dear father, yet unrevealed to us.
As I was returning from the Temple I met many persons, who seemed to be
crowding out of the gate on some unusual errand. I have since learned
that they were going to see a very extraordinary man--a true prophet of
God, it is believed by many, who dwells in the wilderness eastward near
Jordan, and who preaches with power unknown in the land since the days
of Elijah and Elisha. I hope he is a true prophet of heaven, and that
God is once more about to remember Israel, but the days of the Prophets
have long passed away, and I fear this man is only an enthusiast.
Farewell, dear father, and let us ever pray for the glory of Israel.
Your affectionate,
Adina.