Haas Promenade
Haas Promenade
In one swift glance at the Haas Promenade, located in East Talpiot, one can see
Jerusalem in all its glory - the Old City walls, the New City buildings, and the ancient
villages all blend into one panoramic view of this glorious city.
Here walked the mothers and fathers of the Jewish People: Sarah and Abraham, Rebecca
and Isaac, Leah, Rachel and Jacob. On this mountainside, King David, Solomon and
Hezekiah watched the shimmering of the early dawn, musing over their decisions as
monarchs of an independent Jewish nation. Foreign conquerors, as well have tread these
paths, their armies fighting bloody battles to win control of coveted Jerusalem. The
Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, and Romans fought for and conquered this
city: so did the Byzantines, Moslems, Crusaders, Mammelukes, Turks and British.
Today, Jerusalem remains the spiritual and religious capital of the Jewish world. For
thousands of years Jews have turned towards Jerusalem in prayer and in yearning and yet
for each visitor the timeless beauty of Jerusalem renews itself. It is believed that “Ten
measures of Beauty descended to the world. Nine were taken by Jerusalem - and one by
the rest of the World” (Talmud, Kiddushin 49b)
The Haas Promenade may seem like just another overlook but where else can you get a
view of nine measures of beauty and 3,000 years of history? It’s worth another look, isn’t
it?
Did you know that...
Jerusalem has 70 names!
Since the time of Abraham, the Jewish people have expressed their love for the Holy City
with endearing nam,es and poetic expressions. Here are just a few:
- Moriah - (Gen.22:2)
- Jebus - (Judges 19:10)
- Zion - (II Samuel 5:8)
- Ariel - Lion of God (Isaiah 29:1)
- Neveh Tzedek - (Jeremiah 31:22)
- Jerusalem of Gold (Naomi Shemer 1967)
(Story of talpiot - SY Agnon from Jerusalem booklet)