Judaism and Jerusalem
The core of Jewish practice is centered on Jerusalem, known as the ‘Holy City’ to the Jewish people. As a longstanding spiritual home and a place of pilgrimage, the city has been of special importance to Jews for centuries. The Old City of Jerusalem contains some of the holiest sites in Judaism, including the Western Wall and the Temple Mount, which is the holiest site of all and the location of both the First and Second Temples.
The First Temple, built by King Solomon in the 10th century BC, was the center of Jewish worship in Jerusalem until it was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BC. Following the Babylonian exile, the Second Temple was built in 516 BC and it was during this period in Jerusalem that many of the foundations of modern Judaism, including the 10 Commandments, were established.
The Second Temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD, however, Jerusalem remains a central focus of Judaism as the spiritual, cultural, and historic homeland of the Jewish people. It is the symbol of Jewish hope for the coming of the Messiah and it is considered the holiest city in the world, being the center of Jewish religious life. As such, it features prominently in Jewish prayers and liturgy.
Jerusalem is also embedded in Jewish tradition and identity. It is a place of hope, holiness and longing for both Jews in the diaspora, who look to Jerusalem for spiritual connection, and for those who make the pilgrimage to the city to experience its history and mystery. The city is so deeply intertwined with Jewish faith, culture, and history that its status as the capital of Israel is fiercely defended by the Jewish people.
There are numerous references to Jerusalem in the Hebrew Bible and it has been a source of inspiration for Jewish literature, music, and art throughout the centuries. The city is also a powerful symbol of Jewish resilience and continuity despite centuries of persecution. As such, the words “Yerushalayim” (Hebrew for Jerusalem) appear on the Jewish flag and are engraved on the walls of synagogues worldwide.
Temple Mount and the Western Wall
The Temple Mount, located in the Old City of Jerusalem, is the holiest of all sites in Judaism. It is known as Mount Moriah in the Bible and is where King Solomon built the First and Second Temples, which were destroyed in antiquity. Access to the site is restricted for Jews and non-Jews, however, the Western Wall, which is part of the retaining wall that supported the Second Temple, has become a major site of pilgrimage and prayer for Jews from all over the world.
The Western Wall, known as the “Kotel” in Hebrew, is the most important remnant of the Second Temple and is the closest sacred site to the inaccessible Temple Mount. As one of the holiest sites in Judaism, the Western Wall is the focus of numerous prayers, with written notes, called “Kosaiv,” being placed into the crevices between the stones. The Western Wall has come to symbolize faith and hope in God, with many Jews making a pilgrimage to the site in the belief that prayer at the site will have a positive effect on their personal lives.
The area around the Western Wall has been developed in recent decades to accommodate large numbers of visitors, featuring multiple prayer areas and other facilities. There is also a nearby archaeological park with excavated artifacts from the biblical and Second Temple periods. The area also continues to be a focus of Jewish spiritual and national identity, with hundreds of people gathering at the site on important holidays, such as Passover and the High Holidays.
The Holiest Day and Festival of the Year-Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, is the day of atonement on which Jews seek forgiveness for their sins. It is a day that is spent in fasting, reflection, and prayer. Traditionally, Jews travel to Jerusalem to worship at the Western Wall, believing that it carries spiritual power in the process of repentance. This day is one of the most significant festivals in Judaism and is marked by communal gatherings in Jerusalem, as well as private reflections by individuals at home or in synagogues.
Believed to be the day when God decides the fate of each person for the coming year, Yom Kippur is a solemn and important occasion for many Jews. Every synagogue in Jerusalem holds services on the day, attracting both local and international visitors. Other important practices include the restriction of physical pleasure and indulgence, as well as a thorough confession of one’s sins. One of the most important features of Yom Kippur is the Kol Nidrei prayer, which absolves individuals of their vows and is one of the most moving and powerful ceremonies in Judaism.
Jerusalem as a Symbol of Jewish unity
Jerusalem is a powerful symbol of Jewish resilience and continuity, and it has become an increasingly important symbol of national identity for Jews around the world. The city has been the paramount religious center for Jewish life for centuries and it stands as an enduring reminder of the rich and varied history of the Jewish people. Jerusalem’s significance is evident in countless religious texts, in the prayers of many Jews, and in its status as a focal point for the diverse streams of modern Judaism.
The city has become a unifying symbol for many Jews today, both religious and secular. It is a place of spiritual reflection for Jews around the world, and its importance is felt by those who are unable to make the journey to Jerusalem. It stands as a beacon of hope, a source of renewal, and a sign of the indelible bond that Jews feel to the ancient city.
The Reunification of Jerusalem and the legacy of the Six Day War
The reunification of Jerusalem in 1967, after it was captured during the six-day war, is widely viewed as a decisive moment in the history of the Middle East. The capture of Jerusalem was an emotional victory for the Jewish people, who had seen the city divided between Israel and Jordan in the decades prior to the war. Jerusalem was unified under Israeli control and the Israeli government declared it the eternal capital of the Jewish people.
The legacy of the six-day war is mixed, with long-term tensions, violence, and political disputes in its wake. Nonetheless, the reunification of Jerusalem remains as a powerful symbol of Jewish pride and resilience and it has also become a focal point for Jewish religious, political and cultural life. The city continues to be a place of pilgrimage for Jews from around the world and its importance to the Jewish people is unshakeable.
The Importance of Jerusalem to Jews Around the World
The importance of Jerusalem to the Jewish people is profound and enduring. As the spiritual, cultural and historic homeland of the Jewish people, the city is of particular significance to observant Jews. As a site of pilgrimage and a symbol of Jewish pride and resilience, Jerusalem continues to be a centerpiece of Jewish religious and cultural life around the world.
Despite tensions, disputes, and violence in the wider region, Jerusalem remains a magnet for Jews from all over the world. The city and its many holy sights stand as a testament to the deep ties shared between Jews and their ancient homeland. It is a unifying symbol for many Jews and a place of hope, offering a spiritual connection and a reminder of the richness of Jewish history and culture for generations to come.
Israel and Jerusalem-the Relationship between Government and Religion
The conflict between Israel and Palestine often takes center stage when discussing the political status of Jerusalem, but it is also important to consider the relationship between the Israeli government and the Orthodox religious authorities in the city. Since the founding of the modern state, the state authorities have granted considerable autonomy to the Orthodox authorities and this has allowed Jerusalem to remain an important religious center for the Jewish world.
The right of religious Jews to maintain and operate their own schools and institutions has been a source of considerable dispute between the secular Israeli state and the Orthodox authorities. As such, the complex relationship between government and religion in Jerusalem continues to have a profound impact on the city’s physical and spiritual character.
The Orthodox community in Jerusalem is also supported by a large number of Orthodox Jews from abroad who migrate to Israel’s capital every year. This has both a religious and political impact on the city and it helps explain why Jerusalem is home to a very large and vibrant Orthodox Jewish community.
Controversies and Rising Religious Nationalism
The city of Jerusalem has long been a site of religious and political controversy, with tensions involving the two major faiths-Judaism and Islam-as well as the Israeli government, the Palestinian National Authority, and other international actors. Issues of sovereignty and ownership of holy sites in the city have been contested since the reunification of Jerusalem in 1967, resulting in numerous political disputes, violence, and rising religious nationalism.
There has also been a surge in religious extremism and intolerance in Jerusalem in recent years, with extremist groups on both sides of the political divide responsible for numerous acts of vandalism and violence against members of other faiths. This is further complicated by a surge in religious nationalism, with increasingly vocal calls for exclusive control of Jerusalem’s holiest sites. It remains to be seen if or how these tensions can be resolved, but what is clear is that the city of Jerusalem remains a highly contested site and the political and religious controversies in the city are likely to continue to dominate discourse.
