A Jewish Pilgrim’s Guidebook to Holy Gravesites in Israel
Following the 1240 CE Disputation of Paris and the subsequent burning of the Talmud in 1242 CE, Rabbi Yechiel ben Yosef from Paris relocated his Yeshiva to Akko in 1257 CE.
In 1258 CE, Rabbi Yaakov of Paris, a prominent student of Rabbi Yechiel, travelled the Land of Israel and its surroundings, compiling an itinerary of holy gravesites which served as a guide for pious visitors.
In his travel log, he lists numerous locations, including Jerusalem, the Temple Mount ruins, the Siloam brook, the Mount of Olives, Ramah, Shechem, Akko, and Kfar Hanan. About his visit to Meron, he writes: "There the Israelites [Jews] meet on the second day of Passover and pray and say hymns..."
He also mentions visiting the tomb of Maimonides and Rabbi Akiva in Tiberias.
Overview
In the 13th century, Rabbi Ya’acov of Paris recorded visiting the Tomb of Maimonides, which remains to this day one of the most important Jewish pilgrimage sites in Israel.
“In Tiberias are buried: Rabbi Akiva and …Rabbi Moshe Ben Maimon. Their memory should be a blessing.”
He also mentions Jews keeping Pesach (Passover) in Meron and visiting Temple Mount and the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.
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