The 1512 Stone Inscription no longer exists, but scholars believe it was likely similar in size to the 1489 stone.

One side of the tablet was the 1663a Inscription; the flip side was the 1663b Inscription.

Liu Chang was a native of Kaifeng but not Jewish. He was a close friend of the prominent members of the Kaifeng Jewish community, including Zhao Ying-cheng (赵映承, 1619–1657) and Zhao Cheng-ji (赵承基).

Liu held exceptionally prestigious positions in society — the Imperial Position of First Degree of First Rank (光禄大夫), Second Classical Tutor of the Emperor (待经筵少傅), First Tutor of the Crown Prince (太子太傅), the ex-President of the Board of Punishments (刑部尚书), and the Minister (尚书) on-leave of the Ministry of Public Works (工部).

Liu frequently made comparisons between Jewish and Chinese classics, emphasising the compatibility between the two cultures. His words insinuated that, in China, Judaism almost worked as an extension of Confucianism.

§  History of Judaism.

§  Significance of prayer, fasting, and repentance in Judaism.

§  Parallels between Judaism and Confucianism.

§  Flood of 1642, defence of Kaifeng and the fall of the Ming Dynasty.

§  Restoration of the Scriptures and the rebuilding of the Jewish community.

According to the inscription, Moses alone understood the intricacies of the Law that he received on Mount Sinai, and from that, he composed the fifty-three sections of the Holy Scriptures (独会精微之原，遂着经文五十三卷).

According to the inscription, the religion spread into China during the Zhou Dynasty (周时始傅於中州).

In 1163, the first synagogue was built by Andula under the reign of Emperor Xiao-zong of the Song Dynasty (其寺俺都剌始创於宋孝隆兴元年).

In 1356, the synagogue was rebuilt by Ustad during the Yuan Dynasty (五思达重建於元至正十六年).

According to the inscription, in the year 1642, the rebel leader Li Zi-cheng sieged the city of Kaifeng three times. The people of Kaifeng swore to protect their homes. After a six-month-long standoff, the rebels were desperate and resorted to drastic measures. They broke off the dike of the Yellow River and allowed the water to inundate the city (明末崇祯十五年壬午，闯寇作乱，围汴者三，汴人誓守无二，功愈力，守愈坚，阅六月余，寇计穷，引黄河之水以灌之).

The inscription recorded that Gao Xuan, a graduate of Doctorate Degree in the Imperial Examinations, entered the flooded synagogue to rescue the Scriptures on the order of his father, Gao Dong-dou. He entered a few times and saved several rolls of the Torah and 26 rolls of the Miscellaneous Scriptures (教人贡士高选，乘父东斗之命，入寺取经，往返数次，计获道经数部，散经二十六).

Major Zhao Cheng-ji of the Middle Army of the Kaifeng Route leads his troops in protecting Kaifeng. He helped in fixing roads, building bridges, and he asked people to return home and go back to work (时大梁道中军守备教人赵承基，率兵防汴，修道路，成桥梁，招人复业).

Worried that the destruction of the synagogue might lead to the dispersion of the congregation (寺废教散), Major Zhao, on many occasions, urged co-religionists to return to Kaifeng, rebuild the synagogue, and return to everyday life (数请教众复业).

Major Zhao Cheng-ji was probably a second cousin of the brothers Zhao Ying-cheng and Zhao Ying-dou, even though the latter was referred to as Zhao Cheng-ji’s younger brother by the stone inscription.

From 1642 to 1653, Zhao Cheng-ji was part of the Middle Army of the Kaifeng Route and led troops in defending Kaifeng. In 1657, he was promoted to Major of the Western Route Army of Guyuan County (固原县) in Shanxi Province. From 1663 to 1679, he was promoted to Lieutenant within the same division.

Major Zhao was one of the very first to donate his salary to help contribute to the rebuilding of the synagogue (赵承基等首捐俸资). Together with Zhao Ying-cheng, he requested the eminent Liu Chang (刘昌) to compose the text for the 1663 Inscription.

In the process of rebuilding the Kaifeng Jewish community following the flood, Zhao Cheng-ji’s contribution was perhaps even more significant than that of Zhao Ying-cheng.

Zhang Ying-cheng, Doctorate Degree Holder and Assistant Commander of the Zhangnan Circuit, was back in Kaifeng to mourn the passing of one of his parents. He donated his salary and was the sole funder of the construction of three sections of the Rear Hall and the Ark of the Revered Scriptures (其后殿三间，尊经龛一座，乃兵巡漳南道副使丙戌科进士赵映乘丁艰旋里，出俸资而独成之者也).

After the flood, an additional twelve rolls were gradually prepared and placed to the left and right of the main Scroll (其左右之十二部，乃水患后所渐次修理者也). More Square Scriptures and Miscellaneous Scriptures were also prepared and added to the collection, with funds contributed by all members of the congregation (其散帙方经，众个出资修部).

The Square Scriptures were separate sections of the Pentateuch, measured seven inches by seven and a half inches, with outer covers reinforced with high-quality green silk. The Miscellaneous Scriptures were measured eleven inches by four to five inches. These were bounded in codex style, with paper glued together several layers to make them more durable.

Content extracted from: The Kaifeng Stone Inscriptions, Tiberiu Weisz.

Now, as to the establishment of the

religion of Israel.

Its origin came from distant past.

Started with Adam

Was the 19th generation from Pangu clan

Continued to Noah.

Continued with Abraham.

Lohan (Abraham) realized the purpose of the

union between Heaven and man.

He rectified himself

to establish the Source of the Decree.

He knew that Tian Dao (Elohi) was

“without sound and without smell,”

touched upon the subtle and mysterious,

created life, “transformed and nourished”

all in its proper sequence.

Did not make idols.

Was not deceived by sorcery.

only honored with prayers,

Made people “exert their minds”

to unite with Heaven

So the heart saw nothing but Dao.

After several transmissions

The sage patriarch Moses was born.

He was blessed by Heaven

Sharply different (from others)

And excelled all of them.

He searched Dao with a sincere heart

Put aside his lustful desires

Forgot sleep and food

Received the Scriptures on Mount Sinai.

He did not build a hut

He did not use fake lodging

As the Book of Rites (Liji) said:

“Do not (raise) an alter

Do not (dig) a pit

Just sweep the earth

And make a sacrifice

Bright in its simplicity.”

The sage fasted and was utterly sincere

In silence, he connected with the heart of Di (Elohim)

Amidst shapes, sounds and all confusion

He alone could elucidate

the source of the mystery.

And so he authored the Scriptures in 53 sections.

It was the easiest and the simplest

It could be known, could be mastered,

Taught people to be good,

Warned people against evil.

Filial piety, brotherhood, loyalty and faithfulness

were sources of the heart.

Benevolence, righteous, ritual, and wisdom

were sources of (human) nature, and

(that) of heave, earth and all creatures.

Laws, customs, relationship, and regulations

were the rules of the Scriptures.

Activity, passivity, work, rest,

daily drinks and foods

were the topics of the Scriptures.

But its greatest (topic)

were prayers and sacrifice.

Those who prayed

Discarded the extravagant and modelled the truth.

They were able to cause those who did not pray

to return to praying.

Before praying

One fasted and bathed

Discarded his lustful desires

Purified his “natural rulers” (mind)

Adjusted the clothes and cap

Respectfully looked up

then (prayed) the Morning Prayer.

Since there was no day that

Heaven was not among people

Therefore three times every day,

morning, noon, and evening (one) prayed.

That was just when man was to see Heaven.

“To attain His brilliance and awe;

To honor Dao, to honor virtue;

To exert His devotion and sincerity.”

Day in and day out.

As the (Book of) Poetry said:

“Going up, going down

He is on the ground

Day in and day out

He is with us here.”

This is to be compatible.

During praying what connected

with the written scriptures

was loudly praising it,

and the prayer was evident.

(when) silently blessing it,

the prayer was secret.

He advanced, and stepped forward

Looked up, and it was in the front.

He retreated, and stepped backwards

All of a sudden and it was behind.

He (turned) left, as it were on the left.

He (turned) right, as it were on the right.

He dared not to be bored or tired

He dared not to be indifferent or reckless

He “must be watchful when alone”

And watched with awe the brilliant morning.

The Book of Poetry said:

“Careful and reverent

to assail the Shangdi (Elohim).”

This is called to be compatible.

One practiced (prayer) by (going)

Forward, backward, ascended and descended.

Kneeling among those who prayed

Absolutely followed the rituals,

Did not exchange words

Did not turn to look around

Did not attend to private affairs.

Going up he entered the reading of the Dao

The Book of Rites (Liji) said:

“The mind has no careless thoughts

must conform to the Dao

hands and legs have no careless moves

must conform to the ritual (li)”

Dao was within those who prayed like this.

Those who offered sacrifice,

They put forth their utmost sincerity

To respond respectfully to the kindness

of heaven and earth.

In the spring everything came to life.

Used cress and pondweed to sacrifice

and recompense living things for their conduct.

In the middle of autumn, everything offered was ripened.

Use fruits to sacrifice

and recompense accomplished things for their conduct.

Everything could be offered.

(they) were not mixed

(they) were not blended

As it said:

“The great broth is not mixed.”

It must be handled with the utmost

sincerity and faithfulness.

The Book of Rites (Liji) said:

Outwardly, with the utmost rigor of things

Inwardly, with the utmost rigor of the will”

This was called the same.

In the winter and summer

We got seasonal food

to sacrifice to the (deceased) forefathers,

and during the sacrifice

performed according to the rites.

If in the balcony, looked at the alcove

If under the balcony, looked up.

At the end of the sacrifice

All enjoyed the divine blessing

And what was left was given away.

Dao was within those who sacrifice like this.

Those who (practiced) smaller (matters)

Like fasting.

Those who fasted purified (their) ambitions.

Those who did it for seven days

they alone attained the purity

of (their) virtues.

On fasting days,

Did not make allowance for food.

Desired for people to rest

And saved on activities

To preserve sincerity

And expelled deceit

With clear goodness

Returned to the beginning.

The Book of Changes (Yijing) said:

“On the seventh day comes return.”

Upon the return one realized

the heart of heaven and earth.

Still were afraid that people confused it

with self desire and

were shallow with the principles of Dao.

Therefore at the end of autumn

(Israelites) closed the house for one day

to purify and cultivate.

Drinks and food were absolutely rejected

to nourish its natural truth

Scholars stopped reading.

Farmers stopped plowing.

Merchants stopped marketing.

Travelers stopped on the road.

Emotions were forgotten.

Knowledge put aside.

Focused the mind and nourished the nature

to cultivate the return to good.

All people were silent.

At the end of the day

Desires were eliminated and principles expanded.

The Book of Changes (Yijing) said:

“Kings of antiquity closed the passes

At the time of the solstice;

Merchants and strangers did not go about.

And the ruler did not go through the province.”

This is called to be compatible.

Caps, marriage, death and funerals

Were similar to the Chinese rites.

Widower, widow, orphans and childless,

nothing was greater than charity.

The laws of the Scriptures

instructed the details and

were hard to explain.

But when the sage patriarch compiled

the duties in the Scriptures

he was robust, pure at the core

without selfish principles.

Dao followed “the luster in perfection”

Like “a bright sun hanging in the air.”

There was no one person who could not see the Dao

There was no one person who did not

know to honor the Scriptures.

The Scriptures were written in characters

although ancient in origin and different in pronunciation.

But when it came to the principles of the Six Classics

They were always similar.

The religion originated in Tianzhu

At the time of the Zhou (Dynasty)

It was transmitted to China.

A temple was built in Daliang.

Throughout its history in the

Han, Tang, Song, and Ming

several times it had gone through changes.

But members of the religion

revered and never wavered.

Like (in matters of) the appropriateness

of what people drink, eat and wear

they did not dare to deviate even for a moment.

Andula started to build the temple,

in the first year of Lungxing (during the reign of)

Emperor Xiao of the Song Dynasty.

Wusida rebuilt it in the 16th year of

zhi zhen of the Yuan Dynasty.

(Then) Lirong, Liliang, Gaojian, and Gaorui

in the fifth year of Tianxun of the Ming,

(because) the waters of Yellow River flooded,

contributed funds for restoration and rebuilding,

In the temple, 13 copies of the Daojing were stored

And 10 volumes of each of the square

And miscellaneous Scriptures.

Member of the religion daily became more numerous.

They were all concerned with respecting

the Laws of the Heavens

and honor the principles of the ancestors.

And they dared not “let it fall like a meteorite.”

At the end of the Ming in the year of ren wu,

the 15th year of Zongzhen,

Bandit Zhuang rebelled.

Three times he laid siege to Bian.

The people of Bian defended it without precedent.

The fiercest the attack was,

The more stubborn the defense was.

Reviewing it after more than six months

The rebels’ plans had failed.

(They) diverted the waters of the

Yellow River to cause floods

Bian was drowned in water,

And when Bian drowned

the temple was destroyed.

And when the temple was destroyed,

The Scriptures were also lost,

Washed away in the waves

Floating in the middle of the stream.

Those people of the religion who

Ferried to the north were only over 200 families.

Wandering in the northern shore of the river

“the last breath” was revived.

Plans were made to obtain the

remnants of the Scriptures.

Gaoxuan, a member owith a gongshi degree,

Followed the order of his father Dongtou

to enter the temple to obtain the Scriptures.

He made the trip several times

He obtained several copies of the Daojing

And 26 copies of the miscellaneous scriptures.

Lizhen, the supervisor of the religion,

And manla Li chengxian were engaged

To examine and collate them.

Under the Great Qing Emperor Xunshi, in the

bin xu year, Chao Yingchen, with the

Office of Scrutiny, and a member with a jinshi degree,

Edited and arranged them in order.

The completed, compiled Scriptures (consisted of)

One Scroll and several sections of the

square scriptures and some 10 volumes of the

miscellaneous scriptures.

Once the repair were completed,

They were quite new.

They rented a large house to store them safely.

Members of the religion gathered, prayed,

and worshipped as in earlier days.

The place of the scriptures was not lost,

The place of the religion was to be transmitted forever.

Although members of the religion

Settled peacefully in the provincial capital,

but in the end, with the drowning

Of the temple at Bian, they were dissatisfied.

At that time Zhao Chengji, a

member and local commander of

Daliang Middle Route Army,

Lead the troops to defend Bian.

He repaired roads, completed the bridge over Liang (River),

called on people to return to their business.

He was afraid that with the temple destroyed

and the members of the religion scattered,

they would not return.

Moreover, he could not bear that

what the ancestors had built and preserved

for several hundred years

was suddenly destroyed in one day.

He dispatched officers and men

Day and night to patrol and defend it

Then his younger brother, Yingdou

entered Bian to take the examination.

They together, amidst the thorns

uprighted the old site.

Those people of Bian who returned to their own business,

their numbers increased daily.

Chengji urged members of the religion

to return to their business several times.

Lizhen and Zhao Yunzhong were

responsible for the remnants of the Scriptures

To be returned to Bian.

The time was already gui si year of

Xunzhi period.

Public meetings were held to contribute funds

to restore the temple.

Everybody was glad to pay their dues

They calculated the cost of labor

to erect the building.

Then (people like) Gaoxuan, a graduate with gongshi degree,

And scholars like Gao Weiping, Li Fatian,

Filed petitions with each local authority

asking for a permit.

Permission was granted.

To restore and repair The Pure and Truth Temple

according to the ancient monastery.

Then (people like) Zhao Chengji were first

to contribute their (government) salary.

Then (people like) Li Zhen and Zhao Yunzhong

Made extreme efforts to gather workers.

They dug out the Front Hall

From the sands of the Yellow River.

And so the Front Hall was erected.

Zhao Yingcheng, a graduate with jinshi degree, with the

General Surveillance of Changnan Circuit, Fujian:

When he returned, due to personal distress

he contributed from his personal salary

to build the three sections of the Rear Hall.

As to

The three sections of the Sage Ancestors Halls,

the three sections of the Ancestor Teaching Hall,

the three sections of the North Lecture hall,

the three sections of the South Lecture hall,

the three sections of the Large Gate,

the three sections of the Secondary Gate,

the three sections of the kitchen,

the one section of the Memorial Archway,

the nine sections of the Walking Hallways,

the Imperial Qing “wan wan sui” (tablet)

displayed in the middle of the Hall,

the seat of the Dragon pavilion,

the two seats of the square pavilions,

the two places for the incense burning,

and devotional residences,

the painting in vermilion and lacquering in black.

It was imposing and glamorous.

Some of the funds came from contributions made

by the members of the religion.

Some of the funds came from the private

purse of individuals.

When the scale of the temple was finally completed

compared to the former one,

it was even more perfect.

Nothing more than reverently to rise

In the middle of the Hall

originally hidden were

thirteen scrolls of the Jing Dao.

All were engulfed in water.

Although several copies were salvaged

There was enough to compile and

sequence one scroll.

All came together to honor it.

And now it was respectfully entered in the

Middle of the Ark of the Respected Scriptures.

On its left and right were 12 volumes.

After the flood calamities

those were the ones that were gradually repaired.

The miscellaneous writings and the square scriptures

each members contributed for their restoration.

And the Great Advisor Zhao Yingcheng

made a record of the changes of the Holy Scriptures.

And his younger brother Yingdou, when he returned

he annotated the Dao, arranged it in 10 chapters.

The writing of the Scriptures thus prepared

And the contents thus clarified

It was clear and explained in plain,

Like the sun and the moon in the sky

Like the streams and rivers crossing the earth.

The Scriptures contained the truth

the interpreters, dared not consult

with “divided branches.”

The scriptures themselves were simple and easy;

the interpreters, dared not

complicate with complex and difficult.

From it, people knew

the principles between Prince and Minister,

the affection between father and son,

the order between elder and younger brothers

the trustfulness between friends,

and the distinction between husband and wife.

The origin was embedded in knowing that one can do good,

that everybody was capable of illuminating the

good (deeds) and return to the beginning.

This was the meaning of the rule of sage patriarchs

and the reason of honoring and respecting the Scriptures.

Although between then and now

Several thousands year had elapsed,

It seemed as if it was in one day.

Plans (were made) for after the convulsions of nature

Zhao Chengji and Yingdou

uprighted the foundation

starting with one end.

Zhao Yingzheng, Gao Denggui, and others

contributed funds to start the building

and completed the work.

They deserved praise for the temple.

Gaoxuan, Zhao Yingcheng had first edited

The Holy Scriptures;

Lizhen and others had repaired (them) later.

They deserved praise for the Scriptures.

As to the stone inscriptions,

the horizontal tablets and the vertical tablets

each was composed by local

and traveling officials in Henan (Province).

Zhao Chengji, a major in charge of the

Western Route Army, in Gu Yuan, Shanxi Province,

when he returned and looked at the magnificent view,

Heaved and sighed:

“It took several hundred years

to create (this) surpassing compound.

Today, I must return to see it thriving.

Then when the offspring will look at this one day

They will not see it the same way as

I see today or as the earlier generation (had seen it).”

Still being afraid that its longevity

would not be handed down,

he desired to engrave all of it in stone

so as it would not perish.

(He) asked to record with me.

I am a (native) of Bian and had known

the religion of Israel.

(I) had uninterrupted friendship with

Major Zhao chengji, and with the

Great Advisor, Zhao Yingcheng

and with the physican Aixian.

I was rather unable to separate between

the beginning and the end

to tell the details.

Therefore based on old records,

I expanded with supplements

so that people would know where the Dao came from.

Furthermore, looking at the restoration of

the temple and the Scriptures today,

the praise that all the people of the religion deserved

should not be forgotten.

That is to be recorded.

Specially promoted to Great Officer

of the Imperial Entertainment,

Second Classical Tutor of the Emperor,

First Title Tutor of the Crown Prince,

Former Minister at the Ministry of Punishment

And presently Minster with the Public Work

Liuchang compose the text.

The Imperial Envoy, with jinshi degree,

Provincial Commander in Chief, Literary Chancellor,

Assistant Provincial Judge in Yunan,

Li Guangzuo wrote the character in vermilion.

The Imperial Envoy, with jinshi degree,

Provincial Commander in Chief, Literary Chancellor,

Assistant Provincial Judge in Guangdong,

Hou Lianghan, wrote the deal characters at the top.

In the Great Qing Dynasty in gui mao year

The second year of the Gangxi period,

on an auspicious day in the middle month of summer,

In its first decade.

Wang Jiayu, a stone cutter from Wan, engraved the stone.