In a holy place like Jerusalem, even a city map can become a religious text
One of my grandchildren is an avid map reader. He studies the street maps of Jerusalem and knows every nook and cranny, all the highways and byways of the city.
And though he cannot tell me the status of traffic at any given moment, he can share with me every shortcut and sparsely traveled street. Only eight years old, he is a walking WAZE.
Maps are in fact quite fascinating, especially in Jerusalem where so many thoroughfares bear the names of historical figures. Representing modern Israel are names such as Menachem Begin Boulevard or Golda Meir Avenue. For a Biblical travelogue, the Geula section offers streets for the Biblical prophets: Amos, Yoel, Yeshayau, Malachi, and Yechezkel are here. For good measure, there is the all-encompassing Rechov Haneviim(“Street of the Prophets”), and if you prefer royalty, there is Rechov Malchei Yisrael (“Street of Israel’s Kings”).
The most fascinating thoroughfare bears three famous names. It winds its way from the southwest corner of Jerusalem, not far from Hadassah hospital, where it is called Rechov Herzl, then runs past the military cemetery until the busy entrance to the city where, without warning, it suddenly transmogrifies into Rechov Yirmiyahu, which traverses the outskirts of chareidi enclaves, and finally becomes Bar Ilan Street until it reaches the northeast corner of Jerusalem — a fascinating ten-mile journey on one road bearing three familiar names.
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