BENJAMIN OF TUDELA (1130-1173) - The wandering Jew

One hundred & twenty four years prior to the birth of MARCO POLO (1254 – 1324), an archetypical "wandering Jew" by the name of BENYAMIN BAR YONA, better known as BENJAMIN OF TUDELA, was born in Tudela, a city in present day Spain. Like his more famous & later adventurer, MARCO POLO, he was born with a strong wanderlust.

A gifted linguist & rabbi, BENJAMIN OF TUDELA set off on a journey which lasted from 1165 to 1171. One of the principle aims of the journey was to record the populations & lifestyle's of Jewish communities he encountered throughout his travels. Another aim being the procuring of new trade relationships. He set off from Spain & traveled to France, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Rhodes, Cyprus, Tyre & Sidon. In all the aforementioned countries & cities, he recorded the number and status of Jewish communities he encountered. These communities comprised of silk merchants, dyers, farmers, sailors & glass makers, many of whom traced their ancestory back to the forced expulsions from the Land of Israel imposed on their forefathers by the Romans (63 B.C.E-324 C.E.) & Byzantines (324 C.E-638 C.E). Neither the Early Arab (638 C.E-1099 C.E) & Crusader (1099-1291) occupations of the Holyland enticed them to return.

On reaching the Land of Israel, BENJAMIN OF TUDELA was confronted by a decimated Jewish population .The Crusader period (1099-1291) was not kind to either Jews or Muslims, who at times would unite againts the Crusaders in the defense of a city. A heavy price was exacted on those that resisted as evidenced by the following episodes that took place in Jerusalem. A group of Jews that had resisted the takeover of the city had found shelter in a synagogue. The Crusaders retaliated by setting the synagogue on fire, burning all occupants alive. In another incident, both Jews and Muslims were found hiding on the Temple Mount. The Crusaders responded by murdering some, forcing others into slavery & those remaining were used as hostages for ransom.

According to Benjamin of Tudela, the Jews in the country resided in 14 towns and villages, the majority of which were located in the Galilee. Tiberius was the largest city in the Galilee and home to 50 Jews. His first stop in the Land of Israel was however Acco, where 200 Jews resided. Haifa had no Jews, only Jewish graves at the foot of Mount Carmel. Both Jews and Muslims had collectively, though unsuccesfully, resisted the Crusader conquest of Haifa. Perhaps the graves were a testament to the conflict. Caesaria & Ashkelon housed 200 Jews each. On hearing the news of the Crusader atrocities in Germany & France whilst advancing towards the Holyland, the Jews of Jaffa vacated the city. Smaller Jewish communities resided in Bethlehem, Bet Guvrin, Latrun, Ludd, Ramla & Hebron.

His return journey included Bagdad where the Jewish population was large & flourishing - (How times have changed). He then continued to the Arabian peninsula and made contact with the Jews of Khaybar, who lived in a city about 150 km north of Medina & claimed to be the descendents of the First & Second Temple Jewish expulsions. Traveling via Aden he made his way to Fostat, present day Cairo, where a large community of Jews resided. From the Egyptian port of Alexandria BENJAMIN OF TUDELA then made his way back to Spain.

Ron Traub ( Tour Guide & Architect ). Website : rontraub-tours.com Photo : Unknown.