The most important temples of the Jews in Iran

The vast territory of Iran has always been the host of the tribes and their follower from the past. These various religions have always had peaceful life together. They have experienced hardships, reliefs, pleasures, and illnesses. Maybe, this is the most important historical feature of Iran that has been selected by various religions. After the revolution of 1357(1978), this unity was also preserved. All official religions in Iran have a representative in the parliament. The Jews of Iran are among the tribes that have a long previous record of living in Iran. The most important document is the existence of various Jewish shrines. Some of these places are also very privileged among Muslims.

Iranian Jews

Jews have lived for centuries in the Middle East, near the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. The extent of these religious minorities is generally from the Palestinian region to the eastern borders of Iran. The history of Jewish settlement in Iran is very old and the Jews of Iran have lived in Iran for over 2,700 years. The most important historical evidence of this accompaniment is the presence of synagogues and tombs belonging to them in different cities of Iran. The most important of these tombs are in the cities of Qazvin, Hamedan, Tuyserkan, Susa, and Isfahan. Judaism is one of the divine religions mentioned in the Muslim book(Qoran) and for this reason, they play a major role in the history and civilization of Iran. They have lived peacefully with Muslims for centuries. Cyrus the Great (founder of the Achaemenian Empire) is mentioned in Jewish books as the savior because he invaded Babylon and saved the Jews. Now the Iranian Jews like other minorities, have their own representatives in the Islamic Consultative Assembly of Iran and do their ceremonies freely.

Iranian Jews

Yazd Jewish synagogue

You can see the Jewish tombs related to Judaism in different cities of Iran. The most famous of these places are located in cities like Qazvin, Hamadan, Tuyserkan, and Isfahan. These include the tomb of Esther and Mordechai in Hamadan, the tomb of Daniel in Susa, the tomb of Habakkuk in Tuyserkan, and the mausoleum of Peighambariyeh in Qazvin.

The Jews in Esfahan

1- The shrine of Habakkuk in Toyserkan

The tomb of Habakkuk the prophet is located in the city of Tuyserkan, near Hamedan. This tomb is related to the Seljuk period and is like a circular tower with a conical roof. Habakkuk prophet is one of the twelve prophets of the Israelites, ( the descendants of Prophet Muus), he lived around 700 BC. He has a special religious position for the followers of Jews. He is also very important for Muslims. His name is mentioned in the Old Testament Tale. His name is also mentioned in some Muslim religious prayers. The final resting place of Habakkuk has claimed many locations.
Some Christian historians claimed relics of Habakkuk were found at Cela, some believe in Israel, and some in Iran. A mausoleum southeast of the Tuyserkan town in western Iran is also considered Habakkuk's burial ground. It is protected by the Organization of Cultural Heritage, Crafts, and Tourism of Iran.

2- Tomb of Esther and Mordechai

The tomb of Esther and Mordechai is located in the city of Hamedan. This tomb is one of the most important Jewish shrines in Iran. A Jewish mausoleum where, the Jewish-Persians believe, Esther and Mordechai are buried. The first Jewish source is Benjamin de Tudela, who visited Hamadan and the tomb in the year 1067. According to him, there were 50,000 Jews living in Hamadan, where Esther and Mordechai were buried in front of a synagogue. The tomb of Esther and the tomb of Mordechai belong to the biblical Queen Esther and her uncle Mordechai. Its structure has Islamic architectural elements. The tomb had a precious parchment of Torah and two chests of Mohabbat covering the tombs. Some of the important Jewish figures are buried inside the tomb. There is also a Hebrew inscription in stucco over the tombs. The site is the most important place of pilgrimage for Iran's Jewish minority.

3- Daniel (Biblical figure)

The burial site of one of the most important Jewish prophets, Susa, Khuzestan province. Susa is mentioned in the Bible in the Book of Esther, and it is possible to walk through the remains of the ancient palace and identify locations from this Biblical story. There are different cities and places that claim to be the burial place of the biblical prophet Daniel, but the most creditable of them is Suau which is mentioned by Benjamin of Tudela, a medieval Jewish traveler. The prophet Daniel is one of four Major Prophets in Hebrew Scripture, along with Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel. This prophet has been repeatedly mentioned in Muslim religious advice.

4- Peighambarieh

Peighambari mausoleum laid in Qazvin city which is one of the old cities of Iran. There is a tomb that the religious clergy and the common consider as the tomb of four Jewish prophets: Sahuli, Salam, Alqia, and Saloum called Chahar Anbia (four prophets). They decide to emigrate to the Iranian plateau and their goal is to promote the Sharia of Moses.