The Battle Over King David's Tomb: A Dramatic Chapter in Jewish History

In 1427, Pope Martin V issued a special directive prohibiting Christian sailors from transporting Jews from Italy to the Holy Land. According to one source, it became customary for Jews caught on Italian ships to be thrown overboard mid-voyage. What incited the Pope's wrath?<\/p>

The conflict over King David's Tomb gained momentum at the time. Jerusalem was controlled by the Mamluks, who were Arabs, and the Jews exerted their influence to clear the Christian area at King David's Tomb. Though it transferred to Muslim control, this was enough for it to be devastated. The Muslims cleared the Christian cemetery, discarded the remains, and gradually demolished the Christian complex. Jews purchased land piece by piece and settled on Mount Zion.<\/p>

Queen Joanna II of Naples imposed a fine on the Jews of Naples simply for being Jews. The Pope joined in this, in what was called in Jewish literature the "Sea Decree," and likewise imposed a significant fine on the Jews of Venice, again, simply because they were Jewish.<\/p>

If that weren't enough, access to the southern Italian ports, which served as gateways to the Mediterranean, was nearly blocked to Jews due to the blood libel in Trent in 1475. Jews were unwelcome throughout the Adige Valley, a major trade route from the north to the port cities.<\/p>

Yet Jews did not despair. Historians note that during the "Sea Decree," Jewish immigration actually increased. The Jewish ingenuity led to new pathways. Europeans traveled through Italy, and Jews managed to join sea routes of foreign nations. The famous traveler, Rabbi Meshullam of Volterra, joined a Spanish ship; Rabbi Ovadia of Bertinoro<\/a> found a route on a French ship that neared Sidon, facilitating his arrival in the Holy Land. Some Jews traversed Europe overland, then through Turkey to Lebanon, and onwards to Israel.<\/p>

Rabbi Ovadia of Bertinoro writes: "The royal tombs had long been under Christian control, and a wealthy Ashkenazi in Jerusalem once attempted to buy them from the king, clashing with the clergy. Since that day, they were taken from the clergy and now are under Muslim control. News reached Venice that Jews from Edom (Christians) caused the royal tombs to be seized from the Romans. Thus, a decree was made to stop Jews from coming and going in Jerusalem. Now, thank the living God, the decree has ended."<\/p>

Pilgrimage surged, and the Jewish community on Mount Zion thrived. The entrance gate to Jerusalem from this direction became known as the "Gate of the Jews." However, despite this, the community on Mount Zion started to dwindle. The reason: Mount Zion was outside the walls, close to desolate areas. Bedouins harassed the inhabitants, prompting Jews to gradually move to what is now known as the Jewish Quarter, such as the Batei Machse neighborhood and surrounding areas, right below Mount Zion. The community center was the Ramban Synagogue.<\/p>

As the primary Jewish residences moved, they lost the strength for ongoing legal battles against Christian consuls and ambassadors. Consequently, the Mamluk Sultan Qa'itbay conceded to the Christians, transferring Mount Zion to them. They built various structures there, which remain in their possession today.<\/span><\/p>