#35 Jerusalem

Since the 10th century BCE, Jerusalem has been the holiest city, focus and spiritual center of the Jews. Jerusalem has long been embedded into Jewish religious consciousness and Jews have always studied and personalized the struggle by King David to capture Jerusalem and his desire to build the Holy Temple there, as described in the Book of Samuel and the Book of Psalms. Many of King David’s yearnings about Jerusalem have been adapted into popular prayers and songs. Jews believe that in the future the rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem will become the center of worship and instruction for all mankind and consequently Jerusalem will become the spiritual center of the world.

Jewish religious writings contain thousands of references to Jerusalem, some of which are included in the following:

• If one is praying in the Land of Israel, he should direct his heart towards Jerusalem; If he is standing in Jerusalem, he should face towards the Holy Temple — Brachot 27a
• Why are the fruits of Ginosar not found in Jerusalem? So that the pilgrims should not say “were it only incumbent on us to eat the fruits of Ginosar in Jerusalem, it would be enough” — Pesachim 8b
• In the future the Holy One will expand Jerusalem to the extent that a horse will flee and its owner will be able to recover it [while still being within the city’s limits] — Pesachim 50a
• Jerusalem was not divided among the tribes — Yoma 12a
• A snake or scorpion never injured anyone in Jerusalem — Yoma 21a
• Whoever did not see Jerusalem in her glory has never seen a beautiful city — Sukkah 51b
• Ten measures of beauty descended to the world, Jerusalem took nine — Kidushin 49b
• Jerusalem is the light of the world — Bereshit Rabbah 59
• Jerusalem will not be rebuilt until the ingathering of the exiles has occurred — Tanchuma Noach 11
• The Land of Israel sits at the centre of the world and Jerusalem sits at the centre of the Land of Israel — Tanchuma Kedoshim 10
• Why did the omnipresent not create warm springs in Jerusalem, like those of Tiberias? So a person should not say “Let us ascend to Jerusalem in order to bathe” — Sifre Behaalotecha 89
• There is no beauty like that of Jerusalem — Avot of Rabbi Natan 28
• Ten miracles occurred for our forefathers in Jerusalem — Avot of Rabbi Natan 35
• ”From all your tribes” – This refers to Jerusalem because all Israel are partners in her — Avot of Rabbi Natan 35
• In the future all the nations and kingdoms will be gathered unto Jerusalem — Avot of Rabbi Natan 35
• All who pray in Jerusalem – it is as if he prayed before the throne of glory, because the gate of heaven is situated there — Pirkei de-Rabbi Eliezer 35
• In the merit of Jerusalem I split the sea for them — Yalkut Shimoni Isaiah 473
• In the future the suburbs of Jerusalem will be filled with precious stones and jewels and all of Israel will come and take them — Yalkut Shimoni Isaiah 478
• From the day Jerusalem was destroyed, God has no joy, until He rebuilds Jerusalem and returns Israel to it — Yalkut Shimoni Lamentations 1009