Gate of Mercy Synagogue
Encyclopedia
The Gate of Mercy Synagogue (Marathi
: गेट ऑफ मर्सी सिनेगोग / जुनी मशिद), Hebrew: שער הרחמים) (also known as Shaar Harahamim and Juni Masjid is the oldest synagogue in Mumbai
(formerly Bombay), India. The synagogue was built in 1796 by Samaji Hasaji Divekar (also known as Samuel Ezekiel), a Bene Israel
i, near Esplanade in South Mumbai
. The synagogue was later rebuilt and moved to the present location at Mandvi
in 1860. In the eighteenth and nineteen centuries, the area was inhabited by a small but thriving Jewish community.
The local appellation of the synagogue, Juni Masjid lends itself to the nearby Central railway station, Masjid Bunder
. Despite a fall in numbers, the synagogue still maintains active services such as a 6AM service. It serves a congregation of about a hundred members daily. The synagogue is also featured on heritage and religious tours of the city.
, they were captured by the Mysore king Tipu Sultan
. They were about to be condemned to death, when Tipu Sultan asked what caste they belonged to. The brothers mentioned that they were Bene Israel. Having never heard of the group, Tipu was about to condemn them to death, when his wife intervened, mentioning that she had heard of the name of the 'caste' in the Koran. Tipu, a devout Muslim spared the two brothers and later exchanged them for a prisoner swap with the British. The two brothers returned to the British enclave of Bombay (now renamed to Mumbai) and built the synagogue in thanksgiving.
On 2 April 1919, the synagogue convened a public meeting of Bene Israeli on the subject of Zionism
. Over 350 community members attended, and many were sympathetic to the cause of setting up of an independent homeland of Palestine though the debate sparked off deep debate on the subject.
it had large congregations attending. However, on Shabbat
, not more than 50 attended services. There is also a mikvah
(bath) present nearby for the religious to purify themselves.
Marathi language
Marathi is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by the Marathi people of western and central India. It is the official language of the state of Maharashtra. There are over 68 million fluent speakers worldwide. Marathi has the fourth largest number of native speakers in India and is the fifteenth most...
: गेट ऑफ मर्सी सिनेगोग / जुनी मशिद), Hebrew: שער הרחמים) (also known as Shaar Harahamim and Juni Masjid is the oldest synagogue in Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
(formerly Bombay), India. The synagogue was built in 1796 by Samaji Hasaji Divekar (also known as Samuel Ezekiel), a Bene Israel
Bene Israel
The Bene Israel are a group of Jews who migrated in the 19th century from villages in the Konkan area to the nearby Indian cities, primarily Mumbai, but also to Pune, and Ahmedabad. Prior to these waves of emigrations and to this day, the Bene Israel formed the largest sector of the subcontinent's...
i, near Esplanade in South Mumbai
South Mumbai
South Mumbai , sometimes incorrectly referred to by English Media as "SoBo" , the southern-most precinct of the city of Mumbai, India, comprises the city's main business localities and its adjoining areas...
. The synagogue was later rebuilt and moved to the present location at Mandvi
Mandvi, Mumbai
Mandvi is an area in South Mumbai near Masjid Bunder. It is located near Pydhone. It has a high Muslim population. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries it had a small, but thriving Jewish community. The 200-year old Gate of Mercy Synagogue is located in this region....
in 1860. In the eighteenth and nineteen centuries, the area was inhabited by a small but thriving Jewish community.
The local appellation of the synagogue, Juni Masjid lends itself to the nearby Central railway station, Masjid Bunder
Masjid Bunder
Masjid is a railway station in South Mumbai on the Central line of the Mumbai Suburban Railway. It is the penultimate stop for all trains on the Central line in the "up" direction...
. Despite a fall in numbers, the synagogue still maintains active services such as a 6AM service. It serves a congregation of about a hundred members daily. The synagogue is also featured on heritage and religious tours of the city.
History
According to historical accounts, Samuel Divekar and his brother Issac, served in the British East Indian army as officers. During the Anglo-Mysore WarsAnglo-Mysore Wars
The Anglo-Mysore Wars were a series of wars fought in India over the last three decades of the 18th century between the Kingdom of Mysore and the British East India Company, represented chiefly by the Madras Presidency...
, they were captured by the Mysore king Tipu Sultan
Tipu Sultan
Tipu Sultan , also known as the Tiger of Mysore, was the de facto ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore. He was the son of Hyder Ali, at that time an officer in the Mysorean army, and his second wife, Fatima or Fakhr-un-Nissa...
. They were about to be condemned to death, when Tipu Sultan asked what caste they belonged to. The brothers mentioned that they were Bene Israel. Having never heard of the group, Tipu was about to condemn them to death, when his wife intervened, mentioning that she had heard of the name of the 'caste' in the Koran. Tipu, a devout Muslim spared the two brothers and later exchanged them for a prisoner swap with the British. The two brothers returned to the British enclave of Bombay (now renamed to Mumbai) and built the synagogue in thanksgiving.
On 2 April 1919, the synagogue convened a public meeting of Bene Israeli on the subject of Zionism
Zionism
Zionism is a Jewish political movement that, in its broadest sense, has supported the self-determination of the Jewish people in a sovereign Jewish national homeland. Since the establishment of the State of Israel, the Zionist movement continues primarily to advocate on behalf of the Jewish state...
. Over 350 community members attended, and many were sympathetic to the cause of setting up of an independent homeland of Palestine though the debate sparked off deep debate on the subject.
Structure
The structure can accommodate 300 members, and on High Holy DaysHigh Holy Days
The High Holidays or High Holy Days, in Judaism, more properly known as the Yamim Noraim , may mean:#strictly, the holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur ;...
it had large congregations attending. However, on Shabbat
Shabbat
Shabbat is the seventh day of the Jewish week and a day of rest in Judaism. Shabbat is observed from a few minutes before sunset on Friday evening until a few minutes after when one would expect to be able to see three stars in the sky on Saturday night. The exact times, therefore, differ from...
, not more than 50 attended services. There is also a mikvah
Mikvah
Mikveh is a bath used for the purpose of ritual immersion in Judaism...
(bath) present nearby for the religious to purify themselves.