Why is the city of jerusalem so important to jews today?

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LadySuri

Jerusalem is mentioned hundreds of times in the Tanakh--it is central to Judaism. It is (was) the site of our Holy Temple (now it is the site of its remains). Jerusalem is the city G-d chose to be the capital of Israel. It has been our national capital since ancient times and has always been THE religious capital. Many of our prayers focus on Jerusalem--at Pesach we say "L'Shana Ha'ba'ah B'Yerushalayim" --next year in Jerusalem. These are just a few examples of the importance of Jerusalem to Judaism and Jewish Israelis, and it's disregarding the common era!

Unknown

Its been important for Jews not just today, but has been thousands of years. It was the land were the Israelites founded their ancient kingdom and the location of the Second Temple of the High Priest that was destroyed by the Romans. In order for the Messiah to return to earth we must rebuild that temple on its sacred ground and the Messiah will come to earth to bring eternal peace and redemption. The last peices of the temple is what makes up the Wailing Wall. Jerusalem is our sacred city were the ancient kingdom of the Israelites have lived. It is our holy land! It has also the holy land to Christians, Muslims, and many religions you probably never have heard of. Jerusalem is the world's capitol of religion and culture making it a major political hotzone.

tal

Jerusalem belonged to the Jews since the biging of time. There was a Jerusalem before there was a New York. When London Berlin, Sweden ,Moscow, and Paris were still a forest and swamp, there was a thriving Jewish community here. It gave something to the world - a humane moral code. The Jews are home. It has a lovely sound for a nation, THe Jews are redeeming the pledge made by their forefathers:

vvhiitefang

Jerusalem is eternally central to us, its the heart of Jewish focus, existence and life on a global, timeless scale. The reasons are religious and historical. I won't mention the religious reasons, since nobody but Jews will really care about them.

Historically:

Abraham was first there over 3900 years ago. At that time, walking a desolate area was a valid method to stake a claim.

The binding of Isaac took place on the Temple Mount over 3900 years ago. (Note - Abraham willed all that was his to Isaac, not Ishmael or other children).

After the return of the Exiled Jewish nation from Egypt, and our Land was reclaimed, Jerusalem became the capital (after David captured it).

Our 1st Temple was built there 2840 years ago.

Our second Temple was built there, after we returned from Exile to Babylon 2360 years ago.

We began to mourn the destruction of both Temples after the second was destroyed 1940 years ago.

Jerusalem is a documented part of our prayers for at least 2839 years - the first year of the Babylonian Exile.

All of this took place many many years before Mohammed was even born... and before Mary even thought about marry Joseph. Our claim is just, documented, and legally, historically and morally iron-clad.

paperback_writer

I like 'jdriver's answer, 'pulling a paperback'! :)

As for Jerusalem:

I appreciate it is important for Muslims but interestingly:

It is not mentioned once in the Quran

Muslims themselves freely admit that their first two holy cities are Mecca and Medina, with Jerusalem coming third.

Muslims pray facing Mecca, not Jerusalem.

This does not negate the fact that Muslims need access to their holy sites in Jerusalem. But it is fair to say that for Jews, Jerusalem is THE spiritual epicentre; we have always prayed facing Jerusalem, it is mentioned countless times in our religious texts, and it has always held a special place in our faith. Now that Israel has Jerusalem, all faiths are free and welcome to visit their respective holy sites. When Jordan controlled it, the Jewish sites were used as horse stables.

So you can appreciate why we are anxious about losing Jerusalem.

Janice

Jerusalem is the capital of Israel. That should be enough, but since so many are in denial about that and say Tel Aviv is, I will give you another reason. Jerusalem has always been a holy land for the Jews. It is sacred to us.

moneymaker

For the same exact reason that Mecca and Medina are important to Muslims.

MikeInRI

Because it is considered the holiest of cities to us in the world.

Good Luck!!!

It was always important, just read the Tanakh(Old Testament) and see for yourself

Duke of Tudor

Jerusalem has been sacred to the Jews since the 10th century BCE, as the site of Solomon's Temple and the Second Temple. It is mentioned in the Bible more than 600 times. Today, the Western Wall, a remnant of the Second Temple, is a holy site for Jews, second only to the Temple Mount itself. Synagogues around the world are traditionally built with the Holy Ark facing Jerusalem, and Arks within Jerusalem face the "Holy of Holies". As prescribed in the Mishna and codified in the Shulchan Aruch, daily prayers are recited while facing towards Jerusalem and the Temple Mount. Many Jews have "Mizrach" plaques hung on a wall of their homes to indicate the direction of prayer.

Ultra N

oh look, you are a Muslim YA user. Why should I waste my time explaining it to you? Goodbye!

Hatikvah JPA

It was the location of the Garden of Eden, where Abraham nearly sacrificed Isaac, and where the Temple was located. The Temple was vital to Judaism because all sacrifices had to be made in the Temple by the Levites.
.

willie v

I think it's not only to the Jews but to the Muslims and the world of the believers in general.

Jerusalem has played a critical role in historyâ€”both in world history and in biblical history. It was the city of Melchizedek, the king of Salem, 4,000 years ago. It was Jerusalem that King David conquered and made the capital of his empire, 3,000 years ago.

It remained the capital of Solomonâ€™s empire, with its magnificent temple, until his death when it became the center of Judah. It was the city Nebuchadnezzar conquered in 586 BC, which resulted in the final Jewish deportation to Babylon. It was the center of the biblical books of Ezra and Nehemiah as the exiles returned from Babylon.

It was the focal point and objective of Jesusâ€™ public ministry, where of course He died and was resurrected. He will return to the Mount of Olives and make Jerusalem the center of His millennial kingdom. The Bible speaks of a New Jerusalem that will be a part of the new heaven and new earth. In short, Jerusalem is the key to biblical historyâ€”for both the Old Testament and the New Testament.

But it also important to Islam, for it teaches that it was in Jerusalem where Muhammad in 620 met with Jesus, Moses and Abraham and then was miraculously transported to the 7th heaven. The Dome of the Rock is presumably built on the spot of that ascension; a place Muslims call the â€œNoble Sanctuary.â€

Today, Muslims claim Jerusalem as one of their three most holy cities, together with Mecca and Medina. The modern state of Israel claims it as its capital, and of course Christians regard Jerusalem as the most important city of the Christian world. It has been and apparently will remain the most disputed and fought over city in world history.

diana

i'm with Ultra!

Whoo!

Oh goodness!

inat

Jerusalem was established (as a JEWISH city) OVER THREE THOUSAND YEARS AGO, and it had always been the most important Jewish city.
It is the HOLIEST place in Judaism, where both temples stood. It is mentioned in the Jewish Bible HUNDREDS of times, but the Quran does not mention Jerusalem even ONCE!!!!
For more info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerusalem

Jdriven

Better asked why is Jerusalem so important to the world and then read a bible

May I pull a paperback and tell Ultra N that there is a big difference in an intelligent young man and a smart mouth kid.

mark

Jerusalem is holy to Christians and Muslims and Jews. To say it is holy only to Jews like saying God is for the Jews only.

Ultra N

because they have it

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