Meah Shearim

Meah Shearim, (Hebrew: מאה שערים‎), is one of the oldest neighborhoods in west Jerusalem, Israel, today populated mainly by Haredi Jews.

Etymology

The name "Mea Shearim" is derived from a verse in the Bible - Genesis 26:12. Isaac sowed in that land, and in that year he reaped "מאה שערים - a hundredfold"; God had blessed him. ^[1] The residents hoped that like Isaac, they, too would prosper and enjoy God's blessings. Some interpret the name literally, as "100 Gates," but there seems to be no basis for that claim.

History

Meah Shearim was established in 1874 as the second settlement outside the walls of the Old City by a building society of 100 shareholders. Pooling their resources, the society members purchased a tract of land outside the Old City, which was severely overcrowded and plagued by poor sanitation, and built a new neighborhood with the goal of improving their standards of living. Very few dared to leave the protection of the walls in those days. The terrain was rocky and uncultivated, and Arab marauders roamed freely. Hence the early inhabitants of Meah Shearim, whose families were descended from the Perushim, followers of the Gaon of Vilna, who settled in Palestine in the early 19th century, were pioneers in every sense.

Haredi lifestyle

Meah Shearim

Today, Meah Shearim remains an Old World enclave in the heart of Jerusalem. With its overwhelmingly Haredi population, the streets retain the flavor of an East European shtetl. Life revolves around strict adherence to Jewish law, prayer and the study of Jewish texts. Traditions in dress may include black frock coats and black or fur-trimmed hats for men (although there are many other clothing styles, depending on the religious sub-group to which they belong), and long-sleeved, modest clothing for women. In some groups, the women wear thick black stockings all year long, including summer. Married women wear a variety of headcoverings, from wigs to headscarves. The men have beards and some grow long sidecurls, called peyos. On the Sabbath, Hasidim of the Toldot Aharon dynasty wear light-color or striped robes. Chasidic groups with a large number of followers in Meah Shearim include Breslov, Slonim and Toldos Aharon. Meah Shearim is also the stronghold of the anti-Zionist Neturei Karta movement. The Edah HaChareidis, which supervises kashrut certification and runs a Jewish religious court, has its headquarters in Meah Shearim.

Neighborhood Regulations

Modesty sign in Meah Shearim

"Modesty" posters in Hebrew and English are hung at every entrance to Meah Shearim. When visiting the neighborhood, women and girls are asked to dress modestly (knee-length skirts or longer, no plunging necklines or midriff tops, no sleeveless blouses or bare shoulders) and tourists are requested not to arrive in large, conspicuous groups. During the Jewish Sabbath (from sunset Friday until it is completely dark on Saturday night), visitors should refrain from smoking, photography, driving or use of mobile phones. Wearing blatant Christian symbols or T-shirts with Christian slogans should also be avoided. When entering synagogues, men should cover their heads.^[2]

References

• Halper, Jeff : Between Redemption and Revival: The Jewish Yishuv of Jerusalem in the Nineteenth Century (Westview Press, 1991)ISBN 0-8133-7855-9 (hardcover)

See also

• Meah Shearim
• Meah Shearim

Coordinates: 31°47′13″N 35°13′20″E / 31.78694, 35.22222