When reading The Saint of Beersheba by Alex Weingrod, I thought it was fascinating to learn about a place of new holiness. Each year people gather around to take part in a pilgrimage to the city of Beersheba in Israel, where there is the holy grave of Rabbi Chouri. Rabbi Chouri had been a leading rabbi among many and considered the Zaddik, “a saintly person (Weingrod, 8)”. His grave site, a place of holiness, was so special because it brought people together.
Chayim Chouri was born and raised in Jerba, which is a part of Southern Tunisia. Jerba was a place where there was little social life outside of the synagogues, places of ritual learnings, and the readings of the Talmud. Rabbi Chouri began his scholarly work at a young age and became a Rabbi at only the age of 18. He then used his knowledge to teach others in their studies. He was well respected and liked by many. Rabbi Chouri’s popularity grew quickly and soon he was honored by many. He was appointed to the three-man religious court in Hara Sghira, until he was offered the position of chief rabbi. Rabbi Chouri was a representative of the Jewish community and famous for his spiritual powers. His way with people was soon put to great use.
The Jews had struggles no matter where they resided. During World War II Germans invaded Southern Tunisia and terrorized the Jews that lived there. Rabbi Chouri was the only one capable of negotiating between the Germans and the Jews. Many Jews left for the holy land or moved elsewhere. In the holy land Jews had difficulty coexisting with Muslims. When moving to the holy land, Jews established a ritual. This ritual included taking a pilgrimage to the site of the holy temple, which was destroyed in 70 BC. The pilgrimage was to go by foot on a journey to celebrate at the temple originally. These festivities were joyous and common until the Romans had taken over, which did not prevent the Jews from further participation in this tradition. Even when the Romans had taken over the journey had still continued, but it was no longer as joyous as before. It was now a journey to the ruins of the famous temple.
Similar to the Pilgrimage to the temple ruins was the Hillula, which is a journey to the graves of holy saints or holy men. It was considered by the Jews to be as important as the pilgrimage. While the Jews took the Hillula, the Muslims took a Ziyara. A Ziyara was a pilgrimage to the grave of a Wali. Wali was a miracle working saint that is incorporated in Muslim belief and practices. This shrine or grave was claimed not only by the Muslims but also by the Jews. Each of these events were common practices in Muslim and Jewish traditions.
