Jerusalem

Jerusalem may be considered the most holy city in the world. To the Jewish people it is the Holy City, the Biblical Zion, the City of David, the site of Solomon's Temple, and the eternal capital of the Israelite nation. To Christians it is where the young Jesus impressed the sages at the Jewish Temple, where he spent the last days of his ministry, and where the Last Supper, the Crucifixion and the Resurrection took place. Also greatly venerated by the Muslims, it is where the prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven. sacredsites.com

Jerusalem Jerusalem is central to three of the world’s major religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Vocabulary Preview: Monotheism – A religion based on the belief in one God. Polytheism – A religion based on the belief in many gods. Pantheism – A religion that believes in ultimate spiritual power being held by the world and the universe.

Jerusalem - Judaism Abraham & Isaac Torah Moses and the 10 Commandments

Jerusalem - Judaism Judaism traces its roots to about 2000 B.C. with the Biblical story of Abraham. During the time of Moses, Judaism relocated to Jerusalem. A central feature of Judaism is the axis mundi or most sacred place where the presence of God dwells. Judaism taught that this was found in the temple. The first of the permanent Jewish temples was built during the reign of Solomon about 950 B.C. Judaism also taught that the temple was built where Abraham had been commanded to offer his son, Isaac, as a sacrifice to God.

Jerusalem - Judaism The land of Palestine has always served as a land bridge between Asia and Africa. As a consequence, many more powerful nations have conquered and re-conquered the land around Jerusalem for thousands of years. Solomon’s Temple was in use from about 950 B.C. until the capture of Jerusalem by forces from Babylon in 586 B.C. After the death of Solomon, lands held by the Jews were divided. The northern parts of the land we conquered by the Syrians in about 740 B. C.

Jerusalem - Judaism In about 516 B.C. the displaced Jews being held in Babylon were allowed to return to Jerusalem. This is often known as the Second Temple period. During the reign of Alexander the Great Jerusalem was conquered by the Greeks. Greek influence, often known as Hellenism, spread quickly. Jews in Palestine frequently resisted the Greek practice of polytheism.

Jerusalem - Judaism After the Greek Empire was conquered by Rome Jerusalem fell under Roman control. The Roman Empire generally allowed local regions to practice the religion of their choice but pay allegiance to Rome. Throughout the occupation of Jerusalem by Roman sources, Jews resisted Roman control.

Jerusalem - Judaism At this point it’s important to remember that empires don’t generally like to wipe out all the people in a given area. They like to keep the workers around because that’s how they get their wealth and work and such.

Jerusalem - Judaism Well, about 70 A. D. the Romans finally gave up trying to control the Jews and destroyed Jerusalem, killing most of the men, destroying the Jewish temple, and scattering the rest to the most distant parts of the Roman Empire – particularly England and Spain. This is known as the Diaspora or Dispersion.

Jerusalem - Christianity

Christianity began in the lands around Jerusalem in about 33 A.D. The birth and mission of Christ form the central beliefs of Christianity. To Christians, the life of Christ is the fulfillment of the mission of God for the Earth and the people on it.

Jerusalem - Christianity Most early Christians were from Jewish backgrounds. Christianity teaches that Christ was from a Jewish background. During the first century many non-Jews began embracing Christianity as well. By the middle of the second century, the majority of Christians were probably not descended from Jewish families

Jerusalem - Christianity Most Christian religions believe that the birth of Christ was a miracle, that Christ performed miracles throughout his life, and that he rose from the dead after being executed by the Romans. Christians believe many of these events occurred in Jerusalem. Christianity became a powerful influence in the Roman Empire during the time of the apostles – a name given to a few chosen followers of Christ.

Jerusalem - Christianity Unlike Judaism, Christianity placed great emphasis on proselytizing, or persuading others to believe in their religion. Like Judaism, Christianity was monotheistic. As Christian missionary efforts expanded across the Mediterranean, Roman resistance built.

Jerusalem - Christianity This was based on two elements of Christianity: first, Christianity was monotheistic; second, the Romans believed that people who pledged their lives to Christ were threats to the power of the emperor. After a brief period of semi-tolerance, the Roman Empire began to attack Christians throughout the Mediterranean. Christians faced imprisonment, property confiscation, and execution for their beliefs.

Jerusalem - Christianity Despite repeated attempts by Rome to crush Christianity it grew until Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire in about 300 A. D.

Jerusalem - Islam

Islam traces its roots to the deserts of the Arabian Peninsula in about 600 A. D. At that time the Arabian Peninsula was home to widely scattered nomadic traders who practiced a wide variety of religions. Muhammed was from a very wealthy family in Mecca. He was deeply offended by the practices of many of the religions in the area. He made a habit of religious study.

Jerusalem - Islam During one of his times of study he claimed to be visited by the angel Gabriel who gave him these instructions: “Recite, in the name of the Lord who has created, Created man from clots of blood, Recite, seeing that the Lord is the most generous, Who has taught by the pen, Taught man what he did not know.”

Jerusalem - Islam The Arabic for ‘recite’ is Qur’an (often pronounced Koran). This book of Islam is meant to be a recitation, or recording, of the revelations to Muhammed. Muhammed was forced out of Mecca to the city of Medina. There, the teachings of his visions gained a great deal of popularity. Eventually, he returned to Mecca and destroyed the idols of his opponents. Today Mecca is the site to which Muslims (followers of Islam) direct their prayers.

Jerusalem - Islam Muhammed taught that prophets from the history of the Jews such as Abraham and Moses were also messengers of God. He taught that there was one God. Like Judaism, Islam is monotheistic. Muhammed taught that Christ was also a prophet.

Jerusalem - Islam During the early part of his life Mohammed claimed to have been taken by the angel Gabriel to Jerusalem where he beheld the rock on which Abraham was told to offer his son, Ishmael. (This differs from the Jewish belief.) He was then taken to heaven by Gabriel. This quest connected Jerusalem and Mecca in the religion of Islam.

Jerusalem - Islam Jerusalem was conquered by Muslim warriors in 638 A. D. The city remained under Muslim control until the 20 th Century. The Dome of the Rock was built by Muslims who conquered the city. It was built on the place where, they believed, Mohammed had left earth on his night quest to heaven. This is also the location of the two previous Jewish temples.

Jerusalem - Islam

Today, questions about the control of Jerusalem still cause hate and discontent around the world.