This is a postcard entitled “Shabbat on the Jewish Street in Morocco” that was published by Leo Winz in Berlin in 1920. It is a reproduction of a painting drawn by an unknown Hungarian artist in the 1800s. The drawing depicts a group of people, men, women, and children, gathering in the street. One man is barefoot and lying down on the street while others are sitting or standing. The men are all bearded and are wearing head coverings – either a large yarmulke, a scarf, or both. They are wearing robes over their clothing and one man has a large sash tied around his waist. Several of the men are holding walking sticks. The women are wearing head coverings and long gowns, and one woman is holding what appears to be a fan. The little boy is playing with a cat. They are gathered on a narrow, cobblestone street in the Jewish quarter of an unnamed city in Morocco, relaxing and chatting in what appears to be a leisurely and companionable atmosphere.
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Jewish Community of Morocco – Jews have a long history of living in Morocco. Although there are oral traditions of Jews living in Morocco during the time of the First Temple, the first archaeological evidence dates to the second century CE. After the Muslim conquest of Morocco in 788 CE, the situation for the Jewish community depended on the tribe that was ruling the land and thus fluctuated between persecution and tolerance. After the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492, many Jews fled to Morocco and the community grew. In 1860, the Jewish educational organisation Alliance Israélite Universelle (AIU) was founded. The Alliance, as it was known, was very active in Morocco and opened schools across the country in which the students were taught the French language and culture along with Jewish subjects. In 1912, Morocco became a protectorate of France and this French education proved to be a valuable asset. During World War II, Morocco was controlled by the pro-Nazi Vichy government. When the Vichy government instituted decrees that discriminated against Jews, Morocco’s Sultan Mohammed V defied the command and refused to put them into practice. By 1948, approximately 260,000 Jews lived in Morocco. With the establishment of the State of Israel in May 1948, riots broke out in Morocco and Jews began to flee to Israel and other countries. When Morocco gained its independence from France in 1956, King (formerly the Sultan) Mohammed V returned to the country and life for Jews in Morocco improved temporarily. However, a few months later, Jews were forbidden to immigrate to Israel and the Jewish Agency offices, which had been helping Jews to immigrate, were closed down. Between 1956 and 1961, 25,000 Moroccan Jews left Morocco for Israel illegally. Figures from 2014 say that 2,500 Jews are still living in Morocco. It is estimated that nearly one million Jews of Moroccan descent live in Israel.
Shabbat – Shabbat is the Jewish name for Saturday, the Jewish day of rest. According to Jewish tradition, this day commemorates the final, seventh day of God’s creation of the world. Shabbat is observed from just before sunset on Friday night until the appearance of three stars on Saturday night. The Talmud devotes an entire tractate to the rules of Shabbat and derives 39 types of forbidden activities. These include using electricity, writing, and other actions that are considered forms of creating. Shabbat is, instead, a day for family, community, prayer, and reflection. Traditionally Shabbat is ushered in by lighting candles, reciting the blessings over wine, Kiddush, and over the two loaves of special Shabbat bread, challah, and enjoying a festive meal. Shabbat is marked in the synagogue by a special additional prayer, known as Musaf, and the reading of the weekly Torah portion. The end of Shabbat is marked by the Havdalah ceremony. In Israel, secular Jews also enjoy Shabbat by eating Friday night dinner with their family and friends and spending time together in the countryside or on the beach. Most workplaces are closed on Shabbat.
