In the four years I volunteered in Israel, I’ve been down this street several times a week.   Its King George Street at the top of the famous Ben Yehuda Street precinct.

I’ve always wondered what this monument by the bus stop actually is, but never properly looked it up.

This year I’ve been learning the gospels, the book of Mark.   Now I know where this phrase “Talitha Kumi” comes from.

Mark 5 : 35 While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?”

36 Overhearing[c] what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

37 He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. 38 When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. 39 He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” 40 But they laughed at him.

After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. 41 He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). 42 Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. 43 He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat.

טליתא קומ / Talitha Koum is Aramaic, where as טליתא קומי / Talitha Kumi is Hebrew, which mean arise.

I’d love to know who built this wall with a clock and what was its purpose.   Its not that common to see phrases by Jesus himself to be actually at the sides of streets in Jerusalem.