This Day in History: The Burning of the Hurva Synagogue

When Rabbi Yehuda the Chassid arrived in Israel with a group of immigrants, they reclaimed the "Ashkenazi Courtyard" in Jerusalem, a place belonging to the Ashkenazi community since the 15th century, which had been abandoned at the time. They settled there and contributed to the rebuilding of the old synagogue that once stood there but had collapsed. The construction completed at the beginning of 1700. Despite its location in a place owned by the Ashkenazi community, the synagogue served people of all Jewish sects.

The construction of the synagogue, which cost a considerable amount, led the community into significant debt. They even sent emissaries to Europe to try raising funds to repay the debt. However, on the 8th of Cheshvan, 1720, the patience of the Arab creditors, who loaned money to the Jews, ran out, and they burned the synagogue to the ground. Simultaneously, Ashkenazi Jews were expelled from Jerusalem and were forbidden to return for 100 years.

Over the years, the site known since then as "the ruins of Rabbi Yehuda the Chassid" underwent several restoration attempts, and during the 19th century, it was indeed rebuilt with great splendor. Yet, the synagogue was once again destroyed when it was bombed during the War of Independence in 1948.

In the early 21st century, a decision was made to reconstruct the magnificent synagogue once more, and about 10 years ago, the synagogue was rededicated, with much of it restored based on photos and testimonies of its former appearance.