The Hurva Synagogue in the Jewish Quarter in Jerusalem

The Hurva Synagogue is no more and no less than the great synagogue of the Old City in Jerusalem, which name expresses much of its history: "the synagogue of ruin". It is also called Hurvat Rabbi Yehuda Hahassid, after the name of the one who in 1700 first expressed the desire to rebuild the first synagogue which was built in this place, since the 13th century. At that time, it was already an important prayer center for the Ashkenazi communities.

The Hurva Synagogue as it stands today is the result of many years of reflections and deliberations: during the War of Independence it was destroyed by the Jordanians and it is only when the State of Israel reclaimed Jerusalem during the Six Day War that there was the idea of restoring this building that went through the centuries and welcomed the Jewish community since the 2nd century.

From 1970 to the year 2000 many plans were proposed to the Israeli government for the original reconstruction of the synagogue until one plan was approved in 2000.
The current synagogue is the result of its reconstruction which ended in March 2010.

The history of the site

As its name suggests, the Hurva synagogue has undergone several destructions and reconstructions over the course of history, eventually becoming the one you may admire today.

According to an ancient tradition, in the same site would have been built the very first synagogue at the time of Rabbi Yehuda Hanassi in the 2nd century and in the 13th century it became the synagogue of the Ashkenazi community. When Rabbi Yehuda Hassid arrived from Poland in March 1700 with several hundred people in Jerusalem, he expressed his desire to renovate the old synagogue. However the Ottoman authorities didn’t accept the construction of the "new" building and of new homes.

Twenty years later the Jews' debt to the Ottoman Empire was not over (more than 2000 thalers, which is an exorbitant sum). The Jews were forced to borrow money from the Turks at high interest. The latter, eager to be reimbursed, set the synagogue on fire in 1721 and reduced the building to ashes.

The Ashkenazi community was expelled from the city until the repayment of the debt: in the next 90 years no more Ashkenazi Jews were able to go to Jerusalem.

It is only in 1856 that the Ashkenazi community (disciples of the Gaon of Vilna) finally had the official right to rebuild the synagogue and the houses thanks to the help of Moses Montefiore who obtained an imperial firman authorizing its reconstruction. It took 8 years for the building to be completed (1864) and it bears the name of Beit Yaacov, in memory of Baron James Yaacov of Rotshild who during a great part of his life helped the Jews of the country.

Finally, the Hurva Synagogue will be destroyed again during the War of Independence by the Jordanians (1948) and it will be rebuilt a few years after the Six Day War (1967).

The visit of the site

You may admire the interior architecture of the Hurva Synagogue which is a replica of the original synagogue. From its high balconies, you may admire a breathtaking view of the city of Jerusalem.

In the basement of the synagogue were discovered alleys dating from the periods of the First Temple (-800 to -586), of the Second Temple, of the Byzantine and the Ottoman Empires. The visit can be done independently but it is recommended to do it with a licensed guide who will show you details that make the difference !