This Mizrach map was illustrated in Nuremberg in 1903 and is part of the larger “Mizrach” picture. The map depicts Israel and its surroundings, which are divided into the tribal sections. Around the map are images, verses, and characters. At the top of the map is the image of Moses holding the two tablets; around him are zodiac signs with the names of the months. On both sides of Moses are lions, next to which are globes with the names of the continents written in Hebrew.
In the centre of the map, the section of the tribe of Benjamin, there is a picture of Jerusalem above which is the inscription (in Hebrew) from Psalm 137: “If I forget thee O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill.” Around the edges of the map are verses in Hebrew relating to the memory of Jerusalem. On the left is the continuation of Psalm 137: “May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth, if I do not remember you, if I do not raise Jerusalem, at the head of my joy.” On the right is the verse from Malachi 3:4: “Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant to the Lord, as in the days of old, and as in ancient years.” The southern section of the map includes a dotted path marking the Israelites’ journey from Egypt to the Land of Israel.
Below the map are a variety of illustrations. On the left is a picture of the Binding of Isaac and on the right of the High Priest. At the bottom of the map there are depictions of the walls of Jerusalem, the Old City, and the Western Wall. The map also has illustrations of Rachel’s Tomb, the Cave of the Patriarchs, and many other Jewish symbols. Above the wall are portraits of famous Jewish characters. Sir Moses Montefiore is in the centre with the caption which translates as:
I came to greet Moses Montefiore, loyal delegate, mighty prince among us, so that it shall be known that he seeks the good of his people…buying land and estates for the salvation of our brothers.
On either side of Montefiore are two of the famous commentators from the Middle Ages, Maimonides and Abarbanel. Other images include the Baal Shem Tov, Rabbi Akiva Eiger, the Maharal of Prague, the Chatam Sofer, Maharshal, and Rabbi Jonathan Eibeschitz among others.
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Moses Montefiore - Moses Montefiore was born on October 24, 1784 in Livorno, Italy while his parents were visiting their Italian family. The Montefiore family returned to London where Moses grew up, was educated, and began his career in business. He became one of the twelve “Jew Brokers” – Jewish merchants who had the right to trade on the London exchange. In 1812, he married Judith Cohen, whose sister was married to Nathan Mayer Rothschild. The two brothers-in-law became successful business partners, until in Moses retired from business in 1824 and began a civic career. After retiring from business, Montefiore devoted his life to philanthropy. He invested much money and effort helping Jews throughout the world, travelling to Syria, Italy, Russia, Morocco, and Romania to protect Jews from blood libels, pogroms, and other troubles. He was president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews from 1835–1874 and a member of London’s Bevis Marks Synagogue. In Israel, he is perhaps best known for building Mishkenot Sha’ananim, the first Jewish neighbourhood outside the walls of the Old City in Jerusalem. He also donated large sums of money to the promotion of industry, education, and health among the Jewish community of Palestine. One of these projects was the building of a windmill that still stands next to the Yemin Moshe neighbourhood that was named after him. Sir Moses Montefiore died in 1885 at the age of 100.
