Mourners of Zion

Mourners of Zion is a term used to refer to several Jewish groups through the ages, including:


 * A Karaite subsect founded by Daniel al-Kumisi in the late ninth century.
 * A later Karaite community living in Jerusalem in the late Middle Ages; they referred to themselves as the Community of Lilies. They may have been exiles who left Jerusalem during the Crusades.
 * A Yemeni Jewish group described by Benjamin of Tudela, who said they were referred to as Rechabites. They fasted during the week and lived in caves.

Additionally, this term is vital in a phrase used in the shiva, the Jewish mourning ritual. In mainstream Ashkenazi Judaism, throughout the shiva period, mourners are offered the condolence הַמָּקוֹם יְנַחֵם אֶתְכֶם בְּתוֹךְ שְׁאָר אֲבֵלֵי צִיּוֹן וִירוּשָׁלָיִם "May the Omnipresent (One) comfort you among the remnant mourners of Zion and Jerusalem".