Thread by @ZechariahSharab

🧵1) Margalit Zinati is not Sephardic, Ashkenazi, or Yemeni

Her family has lived in the Galilee continuously for over 2,000 years. She comes from a family of Cohanim who left #Jerusalem upon the destruction of the 2nd Temple and found safe haven in the town of Peki'in

2) Peki'in was a #Jewish village since the time of the Temple and is mentioned extensively throughout the Mishna and Talmud.

It is recorded that the influential Sage Rabbi Yehoshua and his many disciples set up their Yeshiva in Peki'in

3) The #Jewish population of Peki'in saw a significant drop during the Crusader and Mamluk period. During the early Mamluk period documents show the growing presence of #Druze in the village. But #Jews continued living in the village throughout, the majority of which were Kohanim

4) Margalit Zinati's family have been the caretakers of the ancient synagogue of Peki'in, believed to be the original site of Rabbi Yehoshua's Talmudic yeshiva 2,000 years ago

5) She leads tours of the ancient synagogue and takes care of all its needs

6) The interior of the synagogue appears similar to other ancient synagogues in the Galilee; Large open space with "benches" built into the structure under the windows

7) The walls of the synagogue have inscriptions of the Menorah and Temple gates, dating back to the time of the 2nd Temple

8) Peki'in is also the site of the cave where Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai and his son hid from the Romans

A common tradition cites this is the site of the cave. Druze and Christians of Peki'in also hold to such a tradition. They called this cave "The Cave of Jacob's Children"

9) The majority of Peki'in's residents today are Druze

Margalit Zinati is the only Jew left, but she continues to keep the flame burning, telling the story of her family and the ancient history of Peki'in

10) Keeping the flame alive!❤️‍🔥