The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1912-08-03
THE JEWS IN JERUSALEM
Their Number and Condition.-The
"Askemazim," and the "Sephardin"
the Restoration of zion-Physieal
and Spiritual Condition.

tine restoration OF Zion-PhySical
and Spiritual Condition.
written for The Catholic Bulletin
by Rev. Damian Ramia.)
The prophecy of Our Lord in regard
to the destruction of Jerusalem was
accomplished by Vespasian and Titus
(66-70 A. d., but from the ashes of
the fire-swept city a last spark
flashed, a supreme attempt to re-estab-
lish Jewish independence. 1t was the
sign of complete destruction. The
Emperor Adrian, after having scat
tered the whole nation, founded on the
site of Zion the Roman colony of
Aelia; pagan temples were erected on
the places dearest to Israel and also
over the Holy Sepulchre and on Cal
vary Hill. The Jews were forbidden
to come within five miles of
Jerusalem. Such a prohibition was
continued long time even under Mos
lem rule.
But the present time has witnessed
return of the Jews to their ancient
country. There are now in Jerusalem
upward of 10000 Jews: about 1875, 900
throughout the entire Holy Land.
They belong for the most part to the
poorest classes, but it is hardly an
economical inducement that attracts
them. The Moslems do not persecute
the Jews, and for that reason, this un-
happy people are better off in Palestine
than, for instance, in Russia; but they
do not rise above the common eco
nomical level of the inhabitants of
Palestine, which is Wretchedly low.
The Jews have been coming steadily
for the last forty years. The Turkish
government objected at first. but of
late has become more tractable. They
come from every country of the world,
even from Australia, grouping them
selves according to nationality, lam
guage, costume and sect. Each of these
groups has an Independent existence
markedly distinct from the others.
While was in Jerusalem, at the st.
Stephens Biblical School directed by
the Dominican Fathers, there were no
less than forty distinct Jewish settle
ments named, in characteristic bib
lical fashion, the House of Solomon,
lions Inheritance, Moses Tent, the
Gates of Jerusalem, etc. All together
the Jewish settlements form about one
third of the total population of Jeru-
salem. Other towns where their num-
ber is growing every day are Safed,
Tiberias, Ciffa, Jaffa and Hebron.
In the towns the Jews are mostly
small merchants and peddlers. AS it
happens in many countries, one finds.
the Jews of Jerusalem employed in the
business of furnishing religious goods
to the Christians. The main resource
of the city's commerce is the selling
of religious souvenirs to the pilgrims
Of all faith and nations. Jerusalem is
in fact the city of great memories and
of souvenirs for Jews, Christians and
Moslems.
Agricultural colonies have been
established by Jews in Palestine, the
most fiourishing being those of Saren,
Esdraelon and Atlite, where the Cru
saders had their last refuge, a few
miles south of Ciffa. A fine crop of
oranges and watermelons is obtained
on these fertile plains.
The "Askemazim" and the "sephar-
dim"
Religiously the Jews of Jerusalem
are divided in two great branches
the "Askemazim," or Northern Jews
Germans, Russians, Poles, Rouman-
ians, ETC., and the "Sephardim," or
Southern Jews, comprising especially
the Jews formerly expelled from Spain,
and those from Portugal, Morocco, Al
giers and Perse. 1t is hard to find out
exactly what are the points that divide
them so sharply. From what can be
gathered, the reason lies i'm some mi
mute matters of traditions, rites, opin-
ions or practises and, above all, In
the different pronunciation of the He
brew, according to the German or the
Latin tradition. The sight of few
Jews engaged in a discussion about
the authenticity of the Hebraic pro-
nunciation would convince anyone OF
the importance Of such a question.
Verbal arguments are frequently not
deemed sufficient to decide ON which
side of the controversy Moses in
clines.
However, all the Jews agree on the
principal points. They all expect
Messiah, mysterious and enigmatic;
all learn the Law and the Talmud; all
strictly adhere to their observances,
especially regarding the Sabbath.
From p. m. on Friday to p. m. on
Saturday, all kind of work ceases.
This practice is pushed to ridiculous
extremes. Writing is forbidden, SO is
striking match, walking longer than
one hour, ETC. All together there are
two hundred and forty-eight positive