State of Judaism and its People

This post is concerned with the history of the Jews, specifically their changing positions in Jerusalem that Armstrong introduces. Jews lived neighbor to Muslims. They were able to exercise autonomy; holding government positions while under the Ottoman Empire. Jerusalem Jews wanted to keep their position steady. A messiah figure in 1523 introduced the possibility of rebellion, which would lead to a loss of power for Jews (Armstrong 326). Jews given the enclave at the Western Wall, excavated and for their worship. Became primary place of worship (327). And brought with it a new way of interacting with the sacred space. Western Wall functions include: The Presence lingers there, petitions on slips of paper into the cracks of the wall, gates of heaven above the wall, prayers descended from the enclave to the divine Throne. Wall was a symbol of divinity and the Jewish people. The wall was a symbol of destruction and defeat because of its ruin (328-9). Tension between Jews and Muslims. Accusing Jews of praying too loudly. In 1587, the synagogue was closed permanently. Jews were allowed to keep scrolls and prayers in their own houses (329). Muslims and Jews claiming the same place as their holy place. Jews felt vulnerable and by the end of Suleiman’s reign many left the city. Those in the Risha and Maslakh district (neighborhoods with Muslims) left to the Sharaf district. Sharaf was regarded as a distinct Jewish Quarter (330). Exiled/Refugee Jews developed a new type of mysticism which translates to the experience of exile. The thinking behind it: God is exiled, he sets himself apart of the created world. Also Shekhinah, the bride of God, separates herself from the Godhead. Also displacement at the heart of Being itself. The exile of the Jews symbolized the cosmic homelessness suffered alike by God and humanity. Jews experienced the world as a demonic realm and their life as a struggle with evil powers. Luria’s imagery helped them to transcend to before time; a reunion with God (336-7). This makes sense as those who are estranged from Jerusalem have to make sense of the rest of the world. Being kicked out of their homes, the Jewish people must adapt to their surroundings and survive. And in doing so, the world could be viewed as evil and dark in hopes that they will prevail and return to the light as seen in Luria’s imagery. The Jewish taifa in Jerusalem was entirely Sephardic. They lived in the Sharaf neighborhood, which deteriorated over time with the Ottoman crisis deepened. The Sephardim worshipped at four interconnected synagogues adjoining smaller synagogues (343). During the next hundred years we see that this is only a first example of many for Jews moving to a new area but still remaining religious. 1800s was a time of tension. Muslims did have a healthy rapport with Jews. But with Christians existed bad relations. Jews were forbidden to enter the Holy Sepulcher and were even kept away Christian neighborhoods (347). By 1850 Jews became the majority after their population size grew so rapidly compared to Christians. Christians tried to convert many of these Jews with promises of welfare and security. 
Jews had their own hospital built on the borders of the Jewish Quarter in 1843 by the London Jews society. To fight against further conversion, Jewish immigrants from Russia were offered protection. Also Consul James Finn turned a piece of land which became the Talbieh colony where Jews could be trained in agriculture. But most Jews remained on the halakka, alma collected in the Diaspora. This is where they were able to study Torah and Talmud. The London Jews society also set up a House of Industry to teach young Jews a trade. Institutions like this one brought in the poorer Jews, those who may be susceptible to the draw of the Christians (352-353). More settlements were made through the help of Montefiore outside of the Jewish quarter to reduce crowding and to increase self-reliance. As Jews left the Jewish quarter and to prospering colonies, so did Jewish health which accounted for the great increase in population for Jews. Also they were able to make a decent life for themselves (356). As we move from the aid and independence’s of Jewish people, we see that countries from Europe want to help. But their aid is met with criticism as they are suspected of anti-semitism.