History: Sheree Trotter on the Israel Institute of NZ website…
“Ten measures of beauty were bestowed upon the world; nine were taken by Jerusalem, and one by the rest of the world.”
This quote from the Babylonian Talmud of late antiquity, conveys the magic and mystery of the place that has captured countless imaginations over the centuries.
On the occasion of the 3000 year celebration of Jerusalem, 4 August 1996, Emeritus Professor Dov Bing was invited by the Maori Queen Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu to speak at Turangawaewae Marae about the political, religious and historical meaning of this Holy City. Prof. Bing had met Dame Te Atairangikaahu on several occasions, having accompanied incoming Israeli ambassadors on visits to Turangawaewae Marae to present credentials. The Maori Queen in turn often celebrated Israel’s Independence Day, travelling to Wellington with her husband to attend official events.
Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu’s love for Israel was not unique. Indeed Maori have long had a fascination with the Holy Land. Scattered around the motu are marae and small towns named Hiruharama (transliteration for Jerusalem) – from Hiruharama Hou (Te Tii) marae in the Bay of Islands to Hiruharama marae (Patiarero) along the Whanganui River near the village of Jerusalem and Hiruharama marae in the Gisborne district near the village of Hiruharama.
The Maori prophetic movements of the nineteenth century, such as Pai Marire and Ringatu, drew great inspiration from the plight of the Old Testament Israelites. Te Ua Haumene, leader of Pai Marire saw himself as a new Abraham or Moses and his followers identified themselves as the Chosen People of God, with New Zealand being the new Canaan. Ringatu leader Te Kooti also fully identified the Maori people with the Children of Israel, and the plight of his people with that of the Hebrews.
Read the full article on the Israel Institute website here...
