The Mysterious Disappearance of Jerusalem's Rebbetzin

The Year: 1881. Location: Mount of Olives, Jerusalem. Possibility: Abducted by locals.

In the year 1881, a mysterious incident that remains unsolved to this day stirred Jerusalem. One of the city's most famous figures was Rabbi Meir Auerbach, known as the 'Imrei Binah,' who had moved to Jerusalem and became one of its leading rabbis. The 'Imrei Binah' was notable for his ruling against playing musical instruments during wedding celebrations in Jerusalem. He passed away in 1878 and was buried on the Mount of Olives, leaving behind a respected and renowned rebbetzin.

During the time of Selichot prayers, early one morning, the rebbetzin went, accompanied by women from her courtyard, to pray at the graves of the righteous on the Mount of Olives. During this visit, she also went to pray at her late husband’s grave. Her companions started to return home, leaving her alone on the mountain.

As the day turned to evening and then to night, all the women returned home, but the widow did not. Her neighbors in the courtyard, noticing her absence, panicked and alerted the city elders to search for her.

During those days of Ottoman rule, authorities did not assist in the search. Instead, many residents of Jerusalem mobilized that night to look for her but found no trace. The entire city joined the search the next day. Search teams scoured the Mount of Olives and the surrounding hills, to no avail.

Acquaintances claimed to have seen her in the market near the Western Wall on the day she disappeared. The entire market was searched thoroughly, but her whereabouts remained unknown. Some even inquired with locals if they had seen her, but it was as if the earth had swallowed her whole.

Due to the harsh living conditions and poor Ottoman infrastructure, many unguarded pits were scattered throughout the city, posing a constant danger. Many who ventured out at night were later found in these pits. However, despite the extensive search and careful examination of every pit in Jerusalem, no trace of the rebbetzin was found.

Rumors about her fate circulated throughout Jerusalem. Some said she was abducted by locals, while others claimed she retreated to solitude in the Judean Desert. To this day, no one knows what truly happened to her.