1866.
VISIT TO THE MOUNT OF OLIVES--SITE OF THE HOLY TEMPLE--DR NORMAN
MACLEOD'S CHARGE--SIR MOSES' INQUIRIES--DR MACLEOD'S RETRACTATION.
"On Sunday morning, April 8th, wishing to examine some documents
uninterrupted by visitors," says Sir Moses, "I determined to leave
home therewith, and to direct my steps to the Mount of Olives. I left
my residence at an early hour, in the company of Dr Loewe. Proceeding
towards the Damascus gate, we passed the Grotto of Jeremiah, the
Tombs of the Kings, and went thence towards the Báb-el'-Asbát. We
then crossed the Valley of Kidron, and finally reached the Mount of
Olives, to the highest point of which we ascended. From thence we
had a most beautiful view of the Dead Sea, and of the wild scenery
of the heights of Moab, and having rested there for a short period,
we descended on foot, and stopped at a large tree. From this spot
we obtained a fine view of the Mosque of Omar--the hallowed spot
formerly occupied by the Holy Temple--and remained here two hours,
engaged in the examination of the documents and plans I had brought
with me. We then continued to descend the mountain till we reached
the Valley of Jehoshaphat. Here we were met by Khasin, the sheikh
of the village of Siluan, who described to me the sufferings of
the Jews during the visitation of the cholera, and showed me the
newly constructed graves, a most affecting sight, whilst another
sheikh spoke to us of the many noble instances in which the Jews had
heroically assisted one another during the period of calamity.
"That sheikh, as well as another such dignitary, who happens to have
some landed property near the burial-ground, still expects presents
from the Jews who visit the cemetery. Formerly they committed great
outrages on the dead whenever their demands were not satisfactorily
responded to; but at present, thanks to the protection of the Turkish
Government, these barbarities have been put an end to. I continued
my wanderings in the Valley of Jehoshaphat for some time, listening
now and then attentively to communications from the Arab sheikhs,
and towards evening returned with much useful information to my own
dwelling. In the evening the messengers whom I had despatched to
Safed after my arrival in the Holy City returned, bringing letters
from the Rev. Samuel Helir and Samuel Abu, to say that they would
cheerfully comply with my wish, and come to Jerusalem as soon as
possible. My object in seeking an interview with these gentlemen was
to obtain an explanation from them respecting a statement of the
Austrian Consul at Safed, which has been widely circulated through
the medium of a monthly magazine entitled _Good Words_, edited by the
Rev. Norman Macleod, D.D., one of Her Majesty's Chaplains.
"That statement was not less than a direct accusation brought against
the spiritual heads of the Safed Congregation for having inflicted
the punishment of death on a Spanish Jewess the day before the Rev.
Dr Macleod had arrived in that place.
"I had already heard a most satisfactory refutation of that foul
accusation from several trustworthy persons of Safed, but I would
not rest until I had received all the particulars from the spiritual
heads of the congregation themselves, and was anxiously awaiting
their arrival.
"On Monday, the 9th of April, I paid return visits to the Consular
authorities and to the Háhám Báshi. I also called upon the Protestant
Bishop, the Rev. Dr Gobat, whose unvarying courtesy, enlightened
views, profound learning, and warm zeal for the welfare of the
inhabitants of the Holy City, no one who has enjoyed the honour of
his acquaintance can fail to appreciate.
"The new Synagogue, called the 'Khoorbát Rabbi Yehooda Hakhássid,' is
a noble edifice. Whilst resting at the Mount of Olives I could see
its cupola overtopping all other buildings in the Jewish quarter.
Great praise is due to the perseverance and skilful management of the
Building Committee. They had to collect the funds for the erection
of the Synagogue in very small sums and at long intervals; yet,
notwithstanding the many obstacles with which they had to contend,
they at length, by their energy and patience, happily succeeded in
accomplishing their labours.
"It was very gratifying to me to know that I had been the bearer of
the firman from the late Sultan Abd-ool-Megid, granting permission
for the erection of this synagogue, and that I had had intrusted to
me considerable remittances to be applied for that pious purpose. On
the present occasion I was permitted to be the bearer of a silver
ornament for a sacred scroll of the Pentateuch, an offering from Mr
Aaron Silverman, of Birmingham; and I had the gratification, with my
own hands, to append it to a scroll of the law in the holy edifice.
"The synagogue of the Volhynian congregation will also, when
completed, be a fine structure. In connection with this synagogue,
there will be a hall for vestry meetings, rooms for a college and
library, the secretary's office, and a public bath.
"The before-mentioned dispensary, established by me in the Holy
City about twenty-five years since, was of great service during
the cholera, and afforded the needful remedies to many hundreds of
persons. It is well regulated; there is a register containing entries
of all prescriptions, with the signature of the physician under
whose order they had been dispensed; and every drawer, case, barrel,
and bottle is distinctly labelled with the name of its contents, as
in Europe. I was greatly pleased to learn that a youth, a native
of Jerusalem, had been recently apprenticed in the Dispensary, and
that he was acquitting himself of his onerous duties to the entire
satisfaction of the community.
"The house recently erected by the Institution of Bikoor Kholim is
as yet in an unfinished state. Great praise is due to the members of
that institution; they attend the poor in sickness, and provide for
their requirements, endeavouring to soothe their sufferings with the
most affectionate solicitude.
"The many experienced persons with whom I had consulted, being
unanimously of opinion that no greater boon could be bestowed on the
poor than the erection of additional dwellings, a suitable site had
been selected for that purpose contiguous to the Touro almshouses,
and I had appointed Monday, the 9th of April for laying the
foundation stone of the dwellings, which I propose shall be erected
with the surplus proceeds of the Holy Land Relief Fund, placed by the
Board at my disposal.
"The fixed hour for laying the foundation stone now arrived, and the
ground became full with thousands of people of all creeds, anxious to
witness the ceremony.
"Dr Loewe repaired to the spot where the stone was to be laid, to
arrange all that was necessary for the occasion, and soon afterwards
I proceeded, in the company of Mr and Mrs Sebag, and many of our
friends, to the enclosure intended for the new buildings. On my
arrival I was received by all the representatives of the community
who had previously assembled there, and the air resounded with the
words, 'Blessed be he who cometh in the name of God.' After a short
pause, Dr Loewe, to whom the conduct of the religious ceremony had
been entrusted, commenced reciting the service. He then read the
inscription of the scroll to be deposited in the cavity of the
foundation stone, which was afterwards signed by myself, Mr and Mrs
Sebag, and others of my friends present. I then deposited the scroll
in the cavity, and proceeded to lay the stone with the customary
formalities. Dr Loewe offered up a prayer composed by him for the
occasion, imploring the blessings of heaven on the future edifice,
and on those who should generously aid in providing the poor with
suitable dwellings. He also offered up special prayers for His
Imperial Majesty the Sultan Abd-ool-áziz and the Turkish Government,
for our gracious Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales, the
Governor of Jerusalem, and the Consuls.
"I deem it a pleasing duty to record that many of the people
expressed great pleasure on hearing the prayer offered up for
England's beloved Queen, and the Jerusalem Jews, on hearing Her
Majesty's name, exclaimed, 'It well behoves us to pray for the
English Government. Are we not under a heavy debt of gratitude for
the powerful aid which they have given unto us in Damascus and
Morocco.'
"In commemoration of the interesting proceedings of this day, I
forwarded £100 to be distributed amongst the poor of the Sephardim,
and £100 amongst the poor of the Ashkenasim.
"How deeply the feeling of charity is implanted in the hearts of the
poor of our community in the Holy Land towards each other has often
been noticed, but some striking evidence of this was afforded us in
the course of this morning, and I cannot refrain from mentioning one
or two instances.
"Two young orphans entered the room; their pleasing and healthy
appearance attracted my notice. 'Who takes care of you? and in whose
house do you live?' I asked. They replied, 'We are under the care
of and reside with Jacob Aaron Kalisher.' I inquired who he was,
assuming him to be in easy circumstances, but I was informed that
far from this he was actually very poor, that his business of a
whitewasher was only lucrative at Passover time, when every Jewish
inhabitant has his dwelling thoroughly cleansed and whitewashed, but
that during the remainder of the year there was very little work for
him. Being desirous of seeing this benevolent man, I sent for him. He
came, and his appearance, notwithstanding his poverty, was not by any
means careworn; on the contrary he seemed cheerful and happy, and as
though possessed of independent means.
"'Are these two orphans under your care, and do you support them;' He
replied, smiling, 'Yes.' 'Have you any children of your own?' 'Yes,
seven.' 'Why, then, have you burdened yourself with the maintenance
of these two orphans in addition?' He replied, 'Their parents were my
next neighbours, and when I saw them left fatherless and motherless,
it appeared to me that it was my duty to protect them, and that they
should share my home with my own children. Thank God, they are well
and happy, sharing our food when I and my children have any, and when
we have none enduring hunger alike with ourselves.' Subsequently a
widow, in almost destitute circumstances, was introduced to me. She,
likewise, had taken two orphan children under her care. Then another
poor man was introduced, who had also taken upon himself the support
of several helpless orphans.
"Assuredly these noble characteristics distinguishing the poorest
of our community in Jerusalem, will entitle them to our admiration,
sympathy, and assistance.
"After the persons just mentioned had left, our cavasses next
announced the arrival of the pupils belonging to the Simon Edlen von
Lämels institution. They were forty in number, accompanied by their
master. I was much pleased with their appearance and demeanour,
which would do credit to any European institution. They sang some
beautiful hymns, and gave me a full account of their course of
study. I presented to each of them a small sum, exhorting them to
cling faithfully to their religion, to be grateful to their noble
benefactress, and emulous to give her satisfaction by their progress
and good conduct.
"Thursday, April 12th, was fixed by me as the day for the enquiry
into the accusation which is reported to have been brought against
the Jews of Safed by an Austrian Consul of that city, an account of
which was published in the monthly magazine, _Good Words_, part xii.,
December 1, 1865. The representatives of the Safed congregation had,
as I have already mentioned, come from Safed to Jerusalem, and on
this day I invited them to lay before me fully the facts connected
with the matters referred to in the accusation.
"I accordingly commenced by reading to these gentlemen the whole
of the account given by the alleged Austrian Consul concerning the
Jews of Palestine in general, and of those in Safed in particular,
and I called their attention to the note at the bottom of page 915,
which runs as follows:--'One terrible story was to the effect that
the punishment of death had been inflicted on a Spanish Jewess the
day before we (the Rev. Dr Macleod and his party) reached Safed, for
a crime in which one of the Rabbis who tried and condemned her was
himself notoriously implicated. We begged the Consul to make further
enquiries on the subject. This he did, assuring us that all he
heard was confirmed by an intelligent Jew, who, though he hated the
proceedings, feared to speak. Such is the reign of terror.'
"Thereupon the Rev. Samuel Abu and Samuel Helir, who were the
representatives of the German and Portuguese congregations of Safed,
made to me the following statement:--
"'A Damascus woman, divorced from her husband, came to settle in
Safed, where, after a six months' residence, she was married to a
person of the name of Masood Tabool, a goldsmith by trade, with whom
she went to live in a house opposite to the Synagogue.
"'This dwelling being in a locality frequented by the Jews, morning
and evening, her conduct was necessarily open to public observation,
and as her mode of life was only consistent with the bad reputation
she had brought with her from Damascus, she herself seems to have
become apprehensive of evil consequences, and removed to the house of
a person called Bekhor Namias.
"'On Sabbath morning, during Divine Service in the Synagogue, the
wife of Bekhor Namias, who had not left home, observed a Turk of the
name of Abdallah Greri, enter the woman's private apartment (an act
which, in the East, and particularly in the Holy Land, is deemed to
be utterly inconsistent with every sense of decency and morality),
and there he remained some time. Mrs Namias, not doubting the immoral
object of so unusual a visit in her own house, hastened to the
Synagogue and gave information to the heads of the congregation of
what she had witnessed. No doubt existing as to the woman's guilt, a
number of persons, enraged at her immoral conduct, severely chastised
her, in accordance with the not uncommon mode of dealing with immoral
persons in the East.
"'It being against the laws of the Jews that a husband should
continue to live with an adulterous wife, Massood obtained a divorce,
and the divorced wife is now living in Damascus in the house of her
own father.
"'There has been no trial, no punishment of death, nor was the Rabbi
in the slightest degree implicated.
"'Indeed, no Jewish authority in the Holy Land, nor in any part of
the world, has ever passed sentence of death since the close of the
great Sanhedrin in Jerusalem.'"
This statement having been made to me by these two reverend
gentlemen, with whom I have had the pleasure of being in
correspondence for nearly thirty years, on charitable and
congregational matters, and who were and still are the heads of the
congregations of Safed, corroborated by two other gentlemen, Aboo
Charaz and Isaac Friedman, strongly recommended by Mr Miklasiewicz,
the Austrian Consul himself, as worthy representatives of sixty
families, and testified by the Rev. Mordecai Halevi Ashkenazi, well
known to me as the former messenger to England from the congregations
of Safed and Tiberias, I have not the least doubt about the falsehood
of the accusation brought against our brethren.
"To me and to your Honourable Board, it must afford sincere
gratification that the cruel slander which has been so widely
circulated by the _Good Words_ of the Rev. Dr Macleod, has been thus
proved to be utterly devoid of truth, and I am confident that a
gentleman of the high character of Dr Macleod will sincerely regret
to have inflicted so serious an injury on an innocent community."
I may be permitted, perhaps, to interrupt the reader in the perusal of
Sir Moses' report, by stating that on his return from the Holy Land,
he sent a copy of the information he obtained in Jerusalem, respecting
the Safed affair, to the Rev. Dr N. Macleod, and had the pleasure of
receiving an acknowledgment from him, which, I think, will be read with
much satisfaction. The letter addressed to Sir Moses on the subject is
as follows:--
"ADELAIDE PLACE, GLASGOW, _October 19th, 1866._
"MY DEAR SIR.--I thank you very cordially for your courteous letter,
and for the copy of your Report which you were so good as to send
to me. I have read all your Report with the greatest attention, and
dissent altogether from what is personal to myself.
"I shall have very great satisfaction, indeed, in publishing,
possibly in _Goods Words_, but certainly in the cheap edition of my
'Eastward,' and in both, if you wish it, your contradiction of the
story regarding the Safed woman. I have no doubt whatever, that my
informant was imposed upon.
"But I have as little doubt that my informant was the Austrian
Consul, though I may (how I cannot tell) have made a mistake about
his unpronounceable name, by trusting possibly to my memory, and
not having rightly taken it up at the time. Nevertheless, he was
the Consul. We were living in his house; the official arms were,
as I have stated, hung up at the end of his room; he read to us
several official documents which he had sent to his Government, and
narrated the story in the presence of our party. We rejected it as
too shocking to be true, and insisted that he should make further
enquiries, and only when he professed to have done so, and again
assured us of the fact, did I feel justified, as travellers, in
recording the fact and noting the evidence on which it was received.
"Forgive me for saying that I think you should have asked the present
Consul whether he had ever lodged our party (we having paid him),
or given any such information? If not, who was Austrian Consul at
the time? or who represented him in his official residence? And if
the present Consul did give us this information, on what evidence
was it founded? I do not object to the _ex parte_ statement of the
Rabbis. But, in justice to myself and the Consul, his statement
most certainly should have been obtained, and opportunity given him
to verify or to contradict all his stories. I may also state that
he described the fights for charity-money to have been sometimes
continued for days, and to the effusion of blood; this may also
be false. But other parties besides those implicated should, when
possible, be heard.
"But I have no wish to make this a controversy. I shall give your
contradiction to the story. I have received an affidavit to the same
effect, made before Consul Rogers of Damascus, and a letter from him,
expressing his disbelief in it, which I may also publish. In any
case, I shall act justly.
--With deepest respect, and sincerest goodwill, I remain, yours
faithfully,
"N. MACLEOD."
With regard to the desirability of making further inquiries of the
Consul himself, and of hearing the evidence from other persons besides
those implicated, it must be observed that Sir Moses had this time not
been able to go to Safed. Had he been there, he would undoubtedly have
made the inquiries suggested by the Rev. Doctor. On the other hand, it
must be borne in mind that Sir Moses did not appear in the Holy Land
as a judge, with the power of cross-examining the Austrian Consul, and
therefore could not have made such inquiries until the latter had come
forward and offered voluntarily to assist in clearing up the matter.
All Sir Moses wanted to ascertain from the representatives of the Safed
Hebrew Congregation was, whether the accusation brought against them
had any foundation in truth? And if not, that it should be refuted by
undoubted evidence.
He had long known the character of the representatives as spotless,
and was in the habit of placing the utmost confidence in them on all
important occasions. This, and the circumstance that the woman who was
said to have been executed by order of the Rabbis was still living at
Damascus--a fact which has been testified by the Consul of that place
and several other persons who had seen her there--ought to be admitted
as the most striking evidence in favour of the representatives of the
community.