In this photo one may get an idea of the clay slope on which much of this cemetery lies. It is no wonder that many of the stones have fallen.
On this tombstone the name of the deceased is completely worn away. The date however is visible starting at the end of the first readable line (I cannot make out the first two words of the line).
..... 12
Tishri 5661
May his/her soul be bound in eternal life
The twelfth day of the month of Tishri, year 5661 translates to 5 October 1900 in our Gregorian calendar and 22 September 1900 in the Julian calendar.
This is the earliest stone I've found in the Labun Jewish cemetery thus far. Jewish people have been noted in Labun since 1705. And by 1847 the Jewish population was reportedly 1,192.[1] I wonder if early markers were wood and, therefore, long gone.
It's certainly unfortunate that the name is no longer available.
Notes:
1. Shmuel Spector and Geoffrey Wigoder, editors, The Encyclopedia of Jewish Life Before and During the Holocaust, vol. 2 (New York University Press and Yad Vashem: New York and Jerusalem, 2001), p. 698.
Not much point in speculating about the line leading up to the yod-bet. If the white were not there, it wuld probably be easier.
ReplyDeleteThe two individual candles at the top are usually indicative of a woman. The five-part candelabrum may or may not be significant. Maybe she had five children.
Of course! I should have noted the candelabrum, as well. Good catch, Israel.
ReplyDelete