The Enigmatic Tree and the Ancient Synagogue of Damouha

In Egypt, south of Cairo, lies an area known as "Giza," famous worldwide for its gigantic pyramids, especially the Great Pyramid of Giza, the sphinxes, and other wonders constructed by ancient Egyptians.

In a small village in Giza called "Damouhi," there was once an ancient Jewish community. At its heart stood a synagogue known as "The Synagogue of Moses our Teacher," believed by local tradition to be the spot where Moses stood when sent to speak with Pharaoh.

Next to the synagogue was an ancient tree, said to have grown from a cutting of Moses' staff. The tree was grand and majestic. The Arab historian Maqrizi tells of a Sultan passing by, noting the tree's beauty, and instructing his men to return the next day with tools to cut it down for the timber to build a new mosque.

When the Sultan’s envoys arrived the next morning, the tree appeared bent and withered, its branches drooping. Regretfully, they decided it wasn’t worth using and set off to find another tree. However, as soon as they left, the tree revived, standing tall and proud with its branches reaching skyward. The tree had a miraculous power, ensuring its own survival.

On Shavuot, Jews from across Egypt would gather at Moses' synagogue to celebrate the giving of the Torah, honoring the holiday of Moses our Teacher, peace be upon him. In ancient times, letters were sent inviting people from far and wide to come to the synagogue on the 7th of Adar, the anniversary of Moses' passing, to study in his memory. They would fast all day, immerse themselves in Torah, and end with a grand feast celebrating the joy of Torah. The Egyptian historian Sambari recounts such letters detailing the celebration of Moses' yahrtzeit at the synagogue named after him.

One day, the villagers were shocked when the tree began to wilt and die. Despite all efforts to save it, like nourishment and irrigation, the tree withered completely. They discovered that a Jew had committed an atrocious sin at that very location beneath the tree, which the sacred tree could not tolerate, leading to its disappearance. Gradually, the community surrounding the synagogue dispersed, fading away into history. Yet for many years, the surname "Damouhi" remained among Egyptian Jews, a legacy of their origins from that vanished village and Moses' synagogue. Today, its location is lost, surviving only in legend.