The Tomb of the Prophet Hazkiel, also known as the Tomb of Hazana (popular name) or Be Hazane (Jewish name), is a shrine in
Amadiya in
Iraqi Kurdistan , and was part of the former synagogue Knis Navi Yehezqel. The tomb is holy to Muslims, Christians and Jews, though there are varying opinions on the identity of who is in the
burial vault.
The view of the
Iraqi Kurdistan government is that the biblical prophet
Ezekiel
Ezekiel (; he, יְחֶזְקֵאל ''Yəḥezqēʾl'' ; in the Septuagint written in grc-koi, Ἰεζεκιήλ ) is the central protagonist of the Book of Ezekiel in the Hebrew Bible.
In Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, Ezekiel is acknow ...
is buried there, and attributes the burial vault to the time of Ezekiel, 500-700 BC. The synagogue Knis Navi Yehezqel was dedicated to Ezekiel, but the Jews did not consider him to be buried in Amadiyah.
The popular tradition is that it is an obscure Jewish prophet known as Hazana, described by locals as a son of
David
David (; , "beloved one") (traditional spelling), , ''Dāwūd''; grc-koi, Δαυΐδ, Dauíd; la, Davidus, David; gez , ዳዊት, ''Dawit''; xcl, Դաւիթ, ''Dawitʿ''; cu, Давíдъ, ''Davidŭ''; possibly meaning "beloved one". w ...
or a grandson of
Joseph
Joseph is a common male given name, derived from the Hebrew Yosef (יוֹסֵף). "Joseph" is used, along with "Josef", mostly in English, French and partially German languages. This spelling is also found as a variant in the languages of the mo ...
or simply as a forgotten figure, and who is associated with purity and fertility.
The Jewish tradition is that it is the burial site of two brothers, Hazan David and Hazan Yosef, who were the first of that community to settle in Amadiya (
Hazan
A ''hazzan'' (; , lit. Hazan) or ''chazzan'' ( he, חַזָּן , plural ; Yiddish ''khazn''; Ladino ''Hasan'') is a Jewish musician or precentor trained in the vocal arts who helps lead the congregation in songful prayer.
In English, this pr ...
is in Kurdish Judaism a title nearly equivalent to
Hakham
''Hakham'' (or ''chakam(i), haham(i), hacham(i)''; he, חכם ', "wise") is a term in Judaism, meaning a wise or skillful man; it often refers to someone who is a great Torah scholar. It can also refer to any cultured and learned person: "He ...
or
Rabbi
A rabbi () is a spiritual leader or religious teacher in Judaism. One becomes a rabbi by being ordained by another rabbi – known as ''semikha'' – following a course of study of Jewish history and texts such as the Talmud. The basic form of ...
). Hazan David died by tradition in 936, and the synagogue Knis Navi Yehezqel was constructed ca. 1250, perhaps in 1228. Jewish pilgrimages were made during the festival of
Shavuot
(''Ḥag HaShavuot'' or ''Shavuos'')
, nickname = English: "Feast of Weeks"
, observedby = Jews and Samaritans
, type = Jewish and Samaritan
, begins = 6th day of Sivan (or the Sunday following the 6th day of Sivan i ...
.
Mordechai Zaken
Mordechai Zaken also Moti Zaken ( he, מוטי/מרדכי זקן; ar, مردخاي زاكين ) (April 26, 1958 – May 14, 2021) was a historian and the 2019 laureate of "the Prime Minister Prize for the research of the Jews of the Orient."Is ...
believes that the founder figure was Hazan Yosef, who was the son of Hazan David.
See also
*
Tomb of Nahum, another shrine in Dohuk Governorate
*
Ezekiel's Tomb
Ezekiel's Tomb, located in Al Kifl, Iraq, is believed by Jews and Muslims to be the tomb of the biblical prophet Ezekiel. Today it forms part of the Al-Nukhailah Mosque complex. For religious Jews, it is the oldest and most important Jewish relig ...
, a shrine attributed to Ezekiel in Babil Governate
References
{{reflist
External links
Tomb of the Prophet Hazkiel - Official Site of General Board of Tourism of Kurdistan Iraq
Amadiya
Ezekiel
Buildings and structures in Kurdistan Region (Iraq)
Jewish pilgrimage sites
Jews and Judaism in Kurdistan
Hazkiel
Tombs in Iraq