Descriptive Geography and Brief Historical Sketch of Palestine

Descriptive Geography and Brief Historical Sketch of Palestine

By Rabbi Joseph Schwarz, 1850

A Short History of Palestine.

by Rabbi Joseph Schwarz Introduction. As in the geographical reference to Palestine, we have been compelled to be content with mere traces, the same will be the case in our historical account of this country. There are nowhere to be met with regular documents in respect to its history, states, and towns; the past seems to have been entirely forgotten; so that the whole country cared, so to say, only for the present, and took no cognizance of what had preceded or was to follow. It is true that some few Arabic historians have written something concerning Palestine, such as Abulfeda and Serif ibn Idrus; but their works have almost entirely disappeared, as was to be supposed would be the case under a government which had not and suffered not a free press. It was only with the greatest trouble that I could obtain here and there an historical document, and I extracted therefrom only what interested me, that is, what has reference to the Israelitish people, but not the general and to us indifferent accounts and narratives. Reports referring to modern times, I obtained occasionally by way of tradition. Therefore it cannot excite surprise that the historical portion of my book should be so brief and simple. I divide the same into four periods: Period I. From the destruction of the temple under Titus, in the year 3828 [A.M.] (68 [C.E.]), till the time of the conquest of Palestine by the Mahomedans in the year 4374 (614), consequently a period of 546 years. Period II. From 4374 to the conquest of the country by the Christian Crusaders in the year 4859 (1099), an interval of 485 years. Period III. From the year 4859 to the reign of Sultan Seliman the Great, in the year 5280 (1520), an interval of 421 years. Period IV. From 5280 (1520) to the present [when this book was written] year 5606 (1845), an interval of 325 years. A Short Review of the Different Governments in Palestine in the Above Periods. In the year 3828, at the time of the destruction of Jerusalem, Palestine was under the dominion of the Romans. In the year 4092 (332), under Emperor Constantine, the Greek — Romano-Greek Empire. In the year 4374 (614), under King Kusarai (Chosroes?) for a brief space, Persian, but later, again under the government of the Greeks. In the year 4397 (637) under Calif Omar, Arab or Mahomedan. In the year 4502 (742), it was for a short time under the dominion of the Turks or Tartars, but at a later period again under the Arabs. In the year 4628 (868), under the Califs of Egypt. In the year 4800 (1040), again under the Turks or Tartars. In the year 4859 (1099), under the European Christians. In the year 4947 (1187), under Saladin, Calif of Egypt. In the year 5004 (1244), under Casiunus, i.e. under Turks or Tartars. In the year 5051 (1291), under Sultan Asa of Egypt, under Mameluks. In the year 5161 (1401), under Timurlan [Tamerlane], for a short time, i.e. under Mongols, than again under the Mameluks. In the year 5278 (1518), under Selim of Constantinople, under Ottomans. In the year 5591 (1831), under Mahmud Ali, Pacha of Egypt. In the year 5600 (1840), under Abd al Medjid, Ottoman. Here would well apply the passage from Judges 9:2: “What is better for you, that seventy men, all the sons of Jerubaal, should rule over you, or that one man should be your master?” Ulysses S. Grant and the Palestinian Envoy   Rabbi Hayim Tzvi Sneersohn, a great-grandson of Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, the "Alter Rebbe" of Chabad Hasidim, visited the United States in 1869 on a mission for the Jewish community of Palestine. He was received at the White House by newly inaugurated President Ulysses Grant. The Washington National Intelligencer described the reception of Rabbi Sneersohn, wearing traditional Palestinian Yerushalmi costume, by the President of the United States. Rabbi Sneersohn said, "Mr. President: Permit me to give my thanks to the Almighty, whose mercy brought me here to behold the face of the chosen by the millions of this great nation... I come to your Excellency from the East, to entreat you in the name of G-d, who created all men equal, to listen to the prayer of your humble servant, standing before you to advocate the cause of his oppressed brethren in the Holy Land. The Israelites in Palestine possess no political or civil rights whatever, and oftentimes deprived of protection by the representatives of the civilized nations which the Christians enjoy, are exposed to violence and arbitrary rule. The only shelter the Israelites occasionally find is in the courts of the different European consulates, where one of their co-religionists is employed either as interpreter or deputy consul, who convey their grievances to the proper channel. This free Republic alone, whose banner covers the oppressed, whose foundation is based on equality, toleration, and liberty of conscience, has no Israelites employed near the consul at Jerusalem. I do pray, therefore, your Excellency, to turn your attention to the deplorable condition of my brethren in the Orient, that the principles of this government may be truly embodied in its representatives abroad; and I do further pray that your Excellency may show me that mark of favor which will enable my brethren in the Holy Land in the hour of need to seek refuge under the Stars and Stripes, that this free country and its exalted chief should be blessed on the sacred spot of our common ancestors." At the close of his address, the President, evidently deeply moved by the Rabbi's sincere and feeling words, inquired with interest as to the circumstances affecting the Jews at Jerusalem which might be guarded by the American consulate; and replied, with his wonted quick decision, "I shall look into this matter with care." The Rabbi then closed the interview with the following fervent invocation: "Before I part from you, Mr. President, allow me to offer my fervent prayer from the depth of my heart: Almighty G-d, whose dominion is an everlasting kingdom, may he bless and preserve, guard and assist your Excellency and your family. May the supreme King of Kings grant you a long life, and inspire you with benevolence and friendship towards all mankind." At its close, the whole crowd, who had forgotten each his own personal interest in the impressive scene which was passing, were seen to be affected, some even to tears; and from some lips a fervent "Amen!" was heard in response. The President replied, with evident feeling, "I thank you for your wishes and prayers." While he was making a note for future reference, the Rabbi and his friends retired. Even office seekers seemed to say, "That man's mission ought not to fail." Of course, American sympathy will respond to such an appeal; and the American government cannot refuse so humble a request as that the Israelites of our own and other lands shall have in the American consulate at Jerusalem, an advocate whose voice will be heard throughout Christendom, as well as at the court of the greatest of the Mohammedan powers. Rabbi Sneersohn and a large body of his friends in this and other countries look to our government to take the initiative in accomplishing for the Israelites of Jerusalem what they have secured for Germans in Germany and Chinese in China. The Holy Land is the "Fatherland" of the Israelites. In May, 1869, Rabbi Sneersohn traveled to Cincinnati, where he told audiences that he felt he could discern the finger of G-d pointing to a day "not far distant, he hoped, when the great deliverance would take place and the land of Israel be restored to the Jewish people."   This account of Rabbi Sneersohn and President Grant was taken from The First Rabbi by I. Harold Sharfman, Joseph Simon Pangloss Press, Malibu, 1988, p. 528-9. ISBN 0-934710-15-5. Used with permission.