Reflections
The Jewish History of Acre - Acco
The city of Acre - Acco is located in the north of Israel and proudly carries the history of a small Jewish community which had been led by prominent Rabbis throughout the generations.
Motty Meringer 09/05/2009 10:00
The city of Acre - Acco is located in the north of the Israel at the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. The history of Acre - Acco is a long and splendid one, however throughout the ages only few Jews lived within its borders a majority of the time. The city of Acre - Acco is mentioned for the first time in the Book of Judges, where it is written: "and who did not conquer the city of Acre and the city of Zidon" – attesting to the fact that the Canaanites who had been occupying the city continued to reside there. In spite of the absence of a large, prosperous Jewish community in the city, there was always a continuous Jewish presence there, albeit a small one, for thousands of years.
Between the time of the occupation of the Land of Israel and until the times of the Tanna'im and Emora'im, no evidence of Jews residing in the city has been found. Some historians maintain that the burial site of the Prophetess Deborah is located in the city, as well as the gravesite of Amnon, the son of David, however no evidence exists to prove that thesis. Other historians claim that during the times of the Second Temple, there was a large Jewish community in Acre under the leadership of Jonathan the Hasmonean, and that the Jews of Acre participated in the great rebellion against the Romans following the destruction of the Second Temple.
In the Mishnah and the Talmud, the city of Acre is mentioned several times in the context of discussions regarding the status of the city as a part of the land of Israel. On the one hand, in tractate Kesubos it is brought that Rabbi Abba would kiss the flowers of Acre out of sheer love for the land of Israel, and that the learned men of Israel bid their fellow scholars farewell before departing from Israel in the city of Acre, for it is forbidden to leave the Holy Land. On the other hand, from the writings of the scholars in tractate Gitttin, it is evident that Acre is not a part of the Land of Israel. The Ba'alei Tosfos, who were requested to clarify this controversial issue, explained that a certain section of Acre is indeed included within the borders of the Land of Israel, while another section of the city isn't; hence the difference of opinion. Other sources cite that the part of Acre which is located within the walls of the Old City belongs to the Land of Israel, whereas the part which lies outside the walls is regarded as outside of Israel.
Notwithstanding the status of Acre according to Jewish Law, many scholars resided in Acre during the era of the Talmud. The Gemara in tractate Pesachim quotes: "And a story is told about Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel and Rabbi Yehudah and Rabbi Yossi who met in Acre on the Sabbath …" Moreover, the name of Rabbi Abba Demin Acco (Acre) is mentioned several times in the Talmud as being the leader of the Jewish community in Acre. Additionally, numerous scholars are mentioned in the Talmud as residing in the Village of Acre; however it is uncertain whether it refers to the city of Acre or to one of the nearby villages.
On the onset of the Middle Ages, Acre was ruled by Muslims during a short period of time, however they were quickly defeated by the Crusaders who ruled the city for over one hundred years. Interestingly, during this time the Jewish community of Acre blossomed as several scholars arrived in the city.
On the 3rd of Sivan, 4926, the Rambam (Maimonides) and his family settled in Acre. The Rambam announced this day as a holiday for his family to celebrate the joyous occasion of meriting to settle in the Promised Land. The Rambam resided in Acre for six month, after which he continued on his journey to Jerusalem. Five years following the Rambam's residence in Acre, the voyager Benjamin Metodla passed by the city and recorded in his writings that merely two hundred Jews lived in the city at the time.
Close to fifty years after the Rambam's arrival in Acre, in the year of 4970, the mass immigration of the Ba'alei Tosfos to the land of Israel began. The first to arrive were Rabbi Shimshon of Shans and Rabbi Yehonasan Hakohen of Lunil, who founded a Beis Medrash were Torah scholars would learn by the method of the Ba'alei Tosfos. Some decades later, the Paris Dispute erupted in France, which resulted in the burning of twenty four carriages full of Holy Scriptures. The event, dubbed 'the Paris Fire' led to the decision of Rabbi Yechiel of Paris, who was the leader of the Jewish community in France and headed a Yeshiva with hundreds of students, to leave France and settle in the Land of Israel. Rabbi Yechiel arrived in Acre flanked by hundreds of disciples where he re-established his Yeshiva. Following the passing of Rabbi Yechiel in the year of 5027, Rabbi Moshe ben Nachman – the Ramban (Nachmanides) – was appointed Rosh Yeshiva. The Jewish community in Acre continued to exist until the occupation of the city and its destruction at the hands of the Mamlukes in 5051. Two hundred years thereafter, the city was still deserted and uninhabited, until it was conquered by the Ottoman Turks.
In 5501 Rabbi Chaim ben Atar – the 'Ohr Hachaim' – arrived in Israel and settled in Acre, where he founded his Yeshiva, 'Knesset Israel'. The Ohr Hachaim lived in Acre for almost a year, after which he left the city. Two years following his departure, Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto arrived in Acre and lived there until his passing three years later.
Throughout the period of the Ottoman rule and until the beginning of the 18th century, the city of Acre was an insignificant and undeveloped town. In the middle of the 18th century, Dahar al-Omar ruled over the Galilee, and he invested much effort in developing the cities under his control. He was the one who permitted Rabbi Chaim Abulafia to renew the Jewish community in Tiberias, and he also expanded the city of Acre and rebuilt it, converting it into an important port city. In sharp contrast to the Jews of Tiberias who enjoyed excellent relations with Dahar al-Omar, the Jewish community of Acre was constantly persecuted by him; the Ramban's synagogue, where the Yeshiva of the Ohr Hachaim operated, was closed down, and on top of it he built a large mosque that carries his name to this day. The Jews were allocated a small, cramped synagogue situated in a narrow alley, in place of the large, spacious synagogue they once possessed. That synagogue is known today as the Ramchal Synagogue in Acre.
A few years later, Dahar al-Omar rebelled against the top authority in Turkey but was defeated in battle by Ahmed al-Jazar, who was rewarded with the control over Acre. Ahmed al-Jazar's personal adviser was a Jew by the name of Rabbi Chaim Parchi. Ahmed al-Jazar was a cruel ruler, his name 'Jazar' – meaning 'butcher' – testifying to his persona. In a hideous act of cruelty, he ordered to have Rabbi Chaim Parchi's eyes poked out and the tip of his nose severed, in spite of Rabbi Chaim's loyalty and devotion.
During the rule of al-Jazar, Napoleon conquered numerous cities in Israel and besieged the city of Acre. Al-Jazar's soldiers, who were situated inside the city, fought rigidly against the French forces according to the advice given to them by Rabbi Chaim Parchi. In addition to Rabbi Chaim, a group of English sailors who had docked in the Acre port and were commanded by Admiral Sydney Smith also greatly assisted al-Jazar in his battles. Likewise, a French gunnery expert by the name of De Philippe contributed of his vast knowledge in order to support al-Jazar in the battlefield. Napoleon's army eventually succeeded in breaching the walls of Acre, however when they attempted to enter the city they were astounded to discover that a second, interior wall had been erected alongside the outer one, as per the advice of Rabbi Chaim. This discovery succeeded in crushing the willpower of Napoleon's soldiers, and they retreated from the city in defeat on the 15th of Iyar, 5559. Some historians maintain that Napoleon had promised to establish a Jewish state within the Land of Israel in an attempt to persuade Rabbi Chaim to discontinue his assistance to al-Jazar.
Following WWI and the fall of the Ottoman Empire, the British Mandate replaced the Turks' rule over the Holy Land. During that period the Jewish community of Acre grew tenfold, however when the resistance against the British rule, led by the underground organizations, became stronger – the city of Acre was converted into a huge detention center for the apprehended resistance fighters. On the 14th of Iyar, 5707, IZL soldiers broke into the Acre fortress and freed the imprisoned fighters.
Between the time of the occupation of the Land of Israel and until the times of the Tanna'im and Emora'im, no evidence of Jews residing in the city has been found. Some historians maintain that the burial site of the Prophetess Deborah is located in the city, as well as the gravesite of Amnon, the son of David, however no evidence exists to prove that thesis. Other historians claim that during the times of the Second Temple, there was a large Jewish community in Acre under the leadership of Jonathan the Hasmonean, and that the Jews of Acre participated in the great rebellion against the Romans following the destruction of the Second Temple.
In the Mishnah and the Talmud, the city of Acre is mentioned several times in the context of discussions regarding the status of the city as a part of the land of Israel. On the one hand, in tractate Kesubos it is brought that Rabbi Abba would kiss the flowers of Acre out of sheer love for the land of Israel, and that the learned men of Israel bid their fellow scholars farewell before departing from Israel in the city of Acre, for it is forbidden to leave the Holy Land. On the other hand, from the writings of the scholars in tractate Gitttin, it is evident that Acre is not a part of the Land of Israel. The Ba'alei Tosfos, who were requested to clarify this controversial issue, explained that a certain section of Acre is indeed included within the borders of the Land of Israel, while another section of the city isn't; hence the difference of opinion. Other sources cite that the part of Acre which is located within the walls of the Old City belongs to the Land of Israel, whereas the part which lies outside the walls is regarded as outside of Israel.
Notwithstanding the status of Acre according to Jewish Law, many scholars resided in Acre during the era of the Talmud. The Gemara in tractate Pesachim quotes: "And a story is told about Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel and Rabbi Yehudah and Rabbi Yossi who met in Acre on the Sabbath …" Moreover, the name of Rabbi Abba Demin Acco (Acre) is mentioned several times in the Talmud as being the leader of the Jewish community in Acre. Additionally, numerous scholars are mentioned in the Talmud as residing in the Village of Acre; however it is uncertain whether it refers to the city of Acre or to one of the nearby villages.
On the onset of the Middle Ages, Acre was ruled by Muslims during a short period of time, however they were quickly defeated by the Crusaders who ruled the city for over one hundred years. Interestingly, during this time the Jewish community of Acre blossomed as several scholars arrived in the city.
On the 3rd of Sivan, 4926, the Rambam (Maimonides) and his family settled in Acre. The Rambam announced this day as a holiday for his family to celebrate the joyous occasion of meriting to settle in the Promised Land. The Rambam resided in Acre for six month, after which he continued on his journey to Jerusalem. Five years following the Rambam's residence in Acre, the voyager Benjamin Metodla passed by the city and recorded in his writings that merely two hundred Jews lived in the city at the time.
Close to fifty years after the Rambam's arrival in Acre, in the year of 4970, the mass immigration of the Ba'alei Tosfos to the land of Israel began. The first to arrive were Rabbi Shimshon of Shans and Rabbi Yehonasan Hakohen of Lunil, who founded a Beis Medrash were Torah scholars would learn by the method of the Ba'alei Tosfos. Some decades later, the Paris Dispute erupted in France, which resulted in the burning of twenty four carriages full of Holy Scriptures. The event, dubbed 'the Paris Fire' led to the decision of Rabbi Yechiel of Paris, who was the leader of the Jewish community in France and headed a Yeshiva with hundreds of students, to leave France and settle in the Land of Israel. Rabbi Yechiel arrived in Acre flanked by hundreds of disciples where he re-established his Yeshiva. Following the passing of Rabbi Yechiel in the year of 5027, Rabbi Moshe ben Nachman – the Ramban (Nachmanides) – was appointed Rosh Yeshiva. The Jewish community in Acre continued to exist until the occupation of the city and its destruction at the hands of the Mamlukes in 5051. Two hundred years thereafter, the city was still deserted and uninhabited, until it was conquered by the Ottoman Turks.
In 5501 Rabbi Chaim ben Atar – the 'Ohr Hachaim' – arrived in Israel and settled in Acre, where he founded his Yeshiva, 'Knesset Israel'. The Ohr Hachaim lived in Acre for almost a year, after which he left the city. Two years following his departure, Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto arrived in Acre and lived there until his passing three years later.
Throughout the period of the Ottoman rule and until the beginning of the 18th century, the city of Acre was an insignificant and undeveloped town. In the middle of the 18th century, Dahar al-Omar ruled over the Galilee, and he invested much effort in developing the cities under his control. He was the one who permitted Rabbi Chaim Abulafia to renew the Jewish community in Tiberias, and he also expanded the city of Acre and rebuilt it, converting it into an important port city. In sharp contrast to the Jews of Tiberias who enjoyed excellent relations with Dahar al-Omar, the Jewish community of Acre was constantly persecuted by him; the Ramban's synagogue, where the Yeshiva of the Ohr Hachaim operated, was closed down, and on top of it he built a large mosque that carries his name to this day. The Jews were allocated a small, cramped synagogue situated in a narrow alley, in place of the large, spacious synagogue they once possessed. That synagogue is known today as the Ramchal Synagogue in Acre.
A few years later, Dahar al-Omar rebelled against the top authority in Turkey but was defeated in battle by Ahmed al-Jazar, who was rewarded with the control over Acre. Ahmed al-Jazar's personal adviser was a Jew by the name of Rabbi Chaim Parchi. Ahmed al-Jazar was a cruel ruler, his name 'Jazar' – meaning 'butcher' – testifying to his persona. In a hideous act of cruelty, he ordered to have Rabbi Chaim Parchi's eyes poked out and the tip of his nose severed, in spite of Rabbi Chaim's loyalty and devotion.
During the rule of al-Jazar, Napoleon conquered numerous cities in Israel and besieged the city of Acre. Al-Jazar's soldiers, who were situated inside the city, fought rigidly against the French forces according to the advice given to them by Rabbi Chaim Parchi. In addition to Rabbi Chaim, a group of English sailors who had docked in the Acre port and were commanded by Admiral Sydney Smith also greatly assisted al-Jazar in his battles. Likewise, a French gunnery expert by the name of De Philippe contributed of his vast knowledge in order to support al-Jazar in the battlefield. Napoleon's army eventually succeeded in breaching the walls of Acre, however when they attempted to enter the city they were astounded to discover that a second, interior wall had been erected alongside the outer one, as per the advice of Rabbi Chaim. This discovery succeeded in crushing the willpower of Napoleon's soldiers, and they retreated from the city in defeat on the 15th of Iyar, 5559. Some historians maintain that Napoleon had promised to establish a Jewish state within the Land of Israel in an attempt to persuade Rabbi Chaim to discontinue his assistance to al-Jazar.
Following WWI and the fall of the Ottoman Empire, the British Mandate replaced the Turks' rule over the Holy Land. During that period the Jewish community of Acre grew tenfold, however when the resistance against the British rule, led by the underground organizations, became stronger – the city of Acre was converted into a huge detention center for the apprehended resistance fighters. On the 14th of Iyar, 5707, IZL soldiers broke into the Acre fortress and freed the imprisoned fighters.
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