Virtually, every Jew observes two holy days, Yom Kippur and Passover, two of the most significant days of the Jewish calendar.
The most dramatic part of the Yom Kippur service occurs at the close of the day, just as the service is about to end. To announce the conclusion of this most sacred day, a long clear blast is sounded on the Shofar. The congregation responds, “Next year in Jerusalem!”
The Passover Seder is also one of the most meaningful rituals of the Jewish year. It is observed at home rather than in the synagogue. And here, too, the service ends with the words, “Next Year in Jerusalem!”
At the conclusion of every Jewish wedding ceremony, it is customary of the groom to break a glass. The glass is broken so that even at the happiest moment of their lives, the bride and groom should recall the destruction of Jerusalem.
Every synagogue in the world is built facing Jerusalem. Since both Europe and the United States are west of Jerusalem, their synagogues were traditionally built facing east. But in any part of the world, when a synagogue is built it always faces Jerusalem. Thus, whenever a Jew prays, he faces this Holy City.
But what is the significance of Jerusalem? Why should this one city be so all-important to the Jewish people? What makes it unique?
Focus of a Jewish People
For almost a thousand years, from the time that King David dedicated it until the Romans destroyed it, Jerusalem was the focal point of the Jewish people. There were certain things that could only be accomplished in Jerusalem; no matter where a Jew lived, he would have to go to this holy city to do these things. Since there were so many rituals that could be performed only in Jerusalem, sages teach Jews that 'Jerusalem is more holy than the rest of the Land of Israel."
Jewish Practices: Three Annual Pilgrimages
Among the most dramatic of these observances were the three annual pilgrimages. There are three festivals, Succoth, Passover, and Shavuot, during which, in the days of the Temple, the Torah required every Jew who was able to make a pilgrimage to 'the place chosen by God.' During these pilgrimages, Jews poured into Jerusalem from all over the world. They renewed friendships and exchanged news. As a result, the Jews were united and molded into a single people. Jerusalem became the place where Jews from all over the world would gather to exchange ideas and develop a civilization enhancing this relationship. Vital to this process were the Temple and the many teachers of Torah who lived in Jerusalem.
Jewish Practices: Second Tithe
One-tenth of all produce grown in the Holy Land was the tithe given to the Levites, while a smaller portion, known as Terumah, was given to the Cohen-Priest. In addition, there was the Second Tithe. This was not given away; instead, the owner himself had either to eat it in Jerusalem, or redeem it and spend the money for food in Jerusalem. The system of the 'Second Tithe' insured that every Jew would spend at least a part of the year as a resident of Jerusalem, and this would be a period of spiritual regeneration for all members of the Jewish people.
Other Jewish Observances
There were many other observances that could be kept only in the 'place chosen by God,' that is, in Jerusalem. There was a tithe of all livestock that had to be eaten in the Holy City. The First Fruits had to be brought to the 'place that God will choose,' involving a meaningful ceremony. These practices served the important purpose of causing each and every Jew to make regular visits to Jerusalem, thus experiencing the spiritual renewal and unifying influence associated with this city.
Jewish Sacrifices
Most of these practices affected only Jews living in the Holy Land. There were other commandments, however, that affected Jews wherever they lived. These involved the system of sacrifices. The most common reason for the offering of a sacrifice was the atonement of a sin. Sacrifice could be offered only in one place, the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.
Ever since the Temple was built in Jerusalem, in no other place in the world can sacrifices be offered. It is considered a most serious sin to offer a sacrifice outside the Jerusalem Temple. The severest penalties were invoked against a person who killed an animal as a sacrifice, not in a place of holiness and according to the prescribed law. There was therefore a commandment that a person offering a sacrifice must be actively involved in bringing it to the Temple in Jerusalem. Thus, whenever a person committed a sin requiring a sacrifice, he was virtually compelled to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem to seek atonement. The sacrificial system was eventually abolished. The Temple was destroyed by the Romans in the year 68 c.e. and since then, sacrifices are no longer offered.
What Can Jews Learn about Jerusalem
From all this Jews learn a most important lesson. The fact that a single city was central to Judaism is not an accident. In many places, the Torah mentions such a central city -- the “place that God will choose” -- and mandates many practices that will obligate the Jew to make periodic pilgrimages to this place.
Although most of these practices are no longer observed, Jerusalem still retains its status as a focal point of Judaism. Thus, the status of Jerusalem as a holy city exists even to this day. Jerusalem still serves as a focus of the Jewish people.
Dorit Sasson - Hello! I'm an ESL instructor, teacher diversity coach and writer for the educational markets who writes on English language learners ...
