Rabbi Visits Jewish Burial Sites in Iran
IRAN — Under a simple brick dome in Hamadan, south of Tehran, are two beautiful wooden tomb-boxes bearing a Hebrew inscription. These are, it is believed, the burial places of Mordechai and Esther, two of Judaism’s great heroes.
Last week, a rabbi stood with his siddur and prayed at these graves. Rabbi Israel Gabbay, who wears his distinctly religious garb even when traveling to hostile places, has made it his mission to seek out the burial places of Judaism’s prophets and leaders, and ensure their preservation.
The Rabbi secured visa permits to travel from Israel to Iran, where with the help of the local Jewish community leader, he followed an itinerary that brought him up close to the resting places of ancient biblical figures.
Though gratified to find that the graves of Mordechai and Esther were well kept, he was disturbed, he said, to find “that some Jewish graves have disappeared, and in other places, football fields were built on the graves of tzadikim.”
Gabbay also visited the grave of the biblical prophet Habakuk in Toyserkan, and of Daniel—a popular attraction among local Muslims, in Shushan, (Susa), as well as those of Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah (around 605 BCE).
Proud to be a Persian Jew
Jews have lived continuously in Persia longer than anywhere else in the world (i.e. nearly 3000 years). Think of this, thousands of years before there were any Ashkenazim, or Sefaradim, Persian Jews were writing the Talmud, prophesying and living through times, which today we celebrate as Chaggim. Thank you Hashem for making me a Persian Jew !!!
Chavkuk?
I thought Habakuk was buried in Israel?
how
didnt mordechai go to eretz yisroel after the purim story?
he can not be buried in persia…
BH
ashrechem israel! this is the kind of article i want to read. keep it coming.
WOWOWOWOW
MY MOTHER AND MY AUNT WENT TO ESTHER AND MORDECHAIS KEVER IN PERSIA TOO AND TO #3 HE IS BURIED IN PERSIA
omg
wow
danger
isn’t that dangerous
Mr. Truthifyier
Havakkuk’s lever is ‘also’ in tsfas. I believe it was confirmed by the Arizal. There are also kevorim in eretz Yisroel of Mordechai and Esther.
to #1
i am proud to be a persian jew too!!!!!!