Jerusalem Memories from 1868 – Manuscript by Rabbi Elazar Landa of Slonim, grandson of the Vilna Gaon

Jerusalem Memories from 1868 – Manuscript by Rabbi Elazar Landa of Slonim, grandson of the Vilna Gaon
"Seder Nesi'ati Le-Eretz Ha-Kodesh" – an interesting journal written by Rabbi Elazar Landa of Slonim, grandson of the Vilna Gaon, after he arrived in the Holy Land. Jerusalem, 1868. Written in his handwriting; part of a letter.
This letter reveals aspects of Jerusalem of those days most of which are unknown from other sources, and offers a rare view of the history of Jerusalem.
Rabbi Landa describes his arrival in Jerusalem, and tearing his garments at the sight of the Temple Mount and the holy sites lying in ruins. "I was greeted by the important people of Jerusalem such as Rabbi Shmuel Salant, Rabbi Aharon Moshe of Slonim, Rabbi Meir Lutziner of Minsk and Rabbi Daniel of Horodna, and Rabbi Yoshe Buneh of Slonim".
He tells about his findings in Jerusalem; that he encountered a synagogue named Menahem Zion where the customs of the Vilna Ga'on were followed, and where he started to give a regular Torah class; about the constant prayers at the wall ("like in Vilna, where there are people praying all day, and G-d's Name is sanctified every moment"); he also tells of the journey and the ports of the way to Eretz Israel, about the Turkish bath, the mikveh, and the archeological findings in Jerusalem.
Rabbi Elazar Landa (1818-1874) was the son of Rabbi Ya'akov Moshe of Slonim (1780-1849), son of Rabbi Avraham, son of the Vilna Ga'on. The name Landa is from his mother's family. He was involved in printing the writings of the Vilna Ga'on. He came to Eretz Israel in 1868 and arrived in Jerusalem before Rosh Hashana (as told in the letter). He remarried in Jerusalem, and his son, Rabbi Eliyahu Landa was born who was orphaned at the age of six months (see about him in item 460)
One leaf 34.5 cm. Written on both sides. Very good condition, filing holes and few moth holes. Laminated.