RAMBAN SYNAGOGUE

This synagogue was built in the 13th Century. Its name is a shortened version of Rabbi ben Nachman, the founder, who immigrated from Spain in 1267.

Ramban, the man, was famous because he won a public debate in Spain to prove that Judaism was better than Christianity. Though the king had promised him freedom of speech, the local people were so mad at him that Ramban and his followers had to flee to Jerusalem.

There were very few Jews in Jerusalem when Ramban came. They had all been killed or expelled by the Crusaders a century earlier. Ramban was responsible for revitalizing the Jewish community.

The Ramban Synagogue is still a place of worship today -- the oldest synagogue in the city.

Rabbi ben Nachman

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