The "Chaiey Olam" Yeshiva was established on July 4th, 1886, in the Old City of Jerusalem by several Hasidic rabbis, Rabbi Yitzhak David Biderman, son of Rabbi Moshe from Leelov, and his nephew, Rabbi David Biderman, the Admor from Leelov, with the support of Rabbi Yehoshua of Kutna and his son-in-law Rabbi Chaim Elazar Wachs. The yeshiva served as the Hasidic counterpart in Jerusalem to the Etz Chaim Yeshiva, founded 45 years earlier by Rabbi Shmuel Salant.
The first head of the yeshiva was Rabbi Binyamin Yehuda Leib Bernshtein, son-in-law of Rabbi Yitzhak David Biderman. The yeshiva was initially founded in the Old City and moved from building to building before purchasing a building on Ma'aleh Chaladya Street in the Muslim Quarter, opposite the Cotton Market.
After a series of events, including the 1927 earthquake that severely damaged the building, and the 1929 riots, a new location was purchased on the outskirts of the Ahava neighbourhood ("today's Shabbat Square") in 1933. Over time, the yeshiva closed, leaving only a kollel and a Talmud Torah, which mainly served the old Jewish community connected to the Haredi community. The yeshiva building now houses the synagogues of Radzin and Eshel Hasidim, the Minzberg and Lamberger families, and a banquet hall.
The Jewish Quarter and The Davidson Archaeological Park in Jerusalem offer a remarkable and profoundly engaging journey into the city's past and vibrant present.
As soon as you enter the Jewish Quarter, located in the southeastern sector of the walled city, you are immediately met with a fusion of ancient history and living culture. The area is teeming with synagogues, schools, and archaeological treasures that attract scholars, tourists, and religious pilgrims worldwide.
The narrow, winding, stone-paved streets are filled with shops selling religious artefacts, artwork, jewellery, and traditional Jewish foods. Historic sites like the Hurva Synagogue, an architectural marvel restored to its former grandeur, and the Four Sephardic Synagogues, each with its unique history and style, are crucial stops.
Just a short walk away, The Davidson Archaeological Park, also known as the Jerusalem Archaeological Park, reveals the city's history layer by layer. Overlooking the Western Wall and the Temple Mount, the park displays remnants from the First and Second Temple periods.
One of the standout features of the park is the Southern Wall excavation site. Here, you can see the steps pilgrims used to climb to reach the Temple Mount and the Hulda Gates, once the main entrance to the Temple compound.
Robinson's Arch, the ruins of an impressive ancient staircase that once led to the Temple Mount, is another must-see in the park. You can also explore the Umayyad palaces, evidence of the rich Islamic history of Jerusalem.
The Davidson Center, located within the park, houses a museum where you can learn more about the Temple Mount's history through interactive exhibits and 3D virtual reconstruction models. A film shown at regular intervals helps visitors understand the significance of the Temple Mount in both Jewish and Muslim traditions.
In addition to its historical and archaeological significance, the park also offers breathtaking views of the Old City and the Mount of Olives, making it a popular spot for contemplation and reflection.
This unique combination of rich history, spiritual significance, and vibrant, ongoing culture makes visiting the Jewish Quarter and The Davidson Archaeological Park a genuinely immersive and unforgettable experience.
Don't be afraid to get lost in new places!
