Jerusalem-Study

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Please do NOT visit this site on שַׁבָּת - Shabbat or on the מוֹעֲדִים Mo’a’dim - Feasts!

Tanakh versions:

Throughout this site I may use any of the following three versions of the TaNaKh1.Jewish Publication Society (JPS-1917), 2. Mechon-Mamre.org” (MEC), and 3. “Sefaria.org (SEF).

Colour coded details of the - TaNaKh:

1. Torah = History & Law, 2. Nevi’im = The Prophets. 3. *Ketuvim = all other Writings.

*The Ketuvim - Includes, Poetical books - Psalms, Proverbs, Job, the Megillot, or Scrolls - Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations of Jeremiah, Ecclesiastes, and Esther, prophecy of Daniel, and history of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles I & II.

Please Note: Some alterations or (additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’ having been corrected like it once was pre the now “Masoretic Text”.

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Remember the following two truth’s from our beloved Scriptures!

Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which I command you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM IT, that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloleichem, which I command you”. Davarim - Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).

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What makes Jerusalem so Special?”

With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

 

Just before the study, I would like to provide one more vital quote from the book of Yahoshua - Joshua Ch 1:7-8. (JPS-1917).

Be strong and courageous. Be careful to obey the entire Torah My servant Moshe has given you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Torah depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”

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I have been asked by certain Christians, and one another person, but not from any Hebrews.

Dear Rabbi what makes Jerusalem so special?

Amazingly, I have been asked this question a number of times, therefore this study is relevant to this question!

Let us commence with the following quote from Tehillim - Psalms chapter 122;

 

 

שַׁאֲלוּ, שְׁלוֹם יְרוּשָׁלִָם; יִשְׁלָיוּ, אֹהֲבָיִךְ

 “Pray for the Shalom of Yerushalayim
May they prosper who love you”

 

Pray for the peace of Yerushalayim - Jerusalem

... may they prosper who love you”.

Tehillim - Psalms 122:6. (JPS).

Let us therefore continue as follows:

וָֽאֶבְחַר֙ בִּיר֣וּשָׁלַ֔͏ִם לִהְי֥וֹת שְׁמִ֖י שָׁ֑ם וָאֶבְחַ֣ר בְּדָוִ֔יד לִהְי֖וֹת עַל־עַמִּ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל

“From the time I brought My people out of the land of Egypt, I never chose a city from among all the tribes of Israel to build a House where My Name might abide; nor did I choose anyone to be the leader of my people Israel.” 1 Melachim - 1 Kings 8:16. (JPS).

1. A the chosen place:

Chosen Place: of Yerushalayim - Jerusalem is believed to be the place where Elohim (אֵל - “El”) chose to establish His presence and make His Name known. Thus Jerusalem has a special significance to יָהּוָה אֱלֹהִים - the LORD Elohim, ברָכ שְׁמוֹ לְעוֹלָם - “Baruch Shmo Le’olam” - “Blessed be His Name forever”, and it stems from its role as a place of Divine choice and covenant, a focal point for religious narratives, and a symbol of Divine presence and אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s promises. It is considered as being the Holy City for all Israelites! 

Here's a breakdown for the above reasons:

Covenant with Avraham - Abraham:

The City is linked to the Covenant which אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, בָּרוּךְ הוּא - Blessed be He, made with Avraham - Abraham, as a foundational promise in Hebrew tradition. 

The Temple Mount:

The Temple Mount, a central site in Jerusalem, is where the Hebrew Temples were built, symbolizing אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s dwelling place. 

2. Religious Significance:

The Hebrews or Israelites:

Jerusalem is the holiest city in the Hebrew faith, for it was the location of our Temples built there. 

3. Symbolism and Prophecy:

Symbol of Peace:

The name “Jerusalem” itself is interpreted by some as “habitation of peace”, symbolizing a spiritual peace and Divine presence. 

Future Kingdom:

Some believe Jerusalem will be the center of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s kingdom on earth. 

In essence, Jerusalem is more than just a city; it is a sacred space imbued with Divine promises, historical and religious significance, and symbolic meaning for multiple faiths. 

However we could also look further into Jerusalem’s past.

4. Historical and Political Significance:

An Ancient City:

Jerusalem is one of the oldest cities in the world, with a long and a complex history of conquests, destruction, and rebuilding. 

The center of Conflict:

Jerusalem has been, and sadly still at the heart of conflict, although Israel’s conflict is based on two sides claiming it as their capital.

Modern Capital:

While Israel considers Jerusalem its capital, the city’s status is a major point of international dispute, with some countries not recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. In essence, Jerusalem has been a sanctuary for three major religions, the Hebrews, Islam and Christianity, all coupled with its historical and political significance, makes it a uniquely special and complex city. 

What about its history:

Jerusalem is built surrounding the rock upon which after Avraham - Abraham  was told by אֱלֹהִים - Elohim to sacrifice his son, he attempted to do so knowing without any doubt whatsoever, that אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, would raise Yitzchak - Isaac from the dead!

It is most important to אֱלֹהִים - Elohim because it is the place were Avraham not only believed Him, without any doubt, but he acted in total obedience to Him!

Avraham believed אֱלֹהִים completely, and it was accounted unto him as righteousness. Avraham was a man of great faith!

It is upon this rock that אֱלֹהִים accounted righteousness to those who believe Him.

Jerusalem became the Hebrew capital around 1,000 BCE when King David conquered the city and established it as the capital of the united “Kingdom of Israel”.

That very same rock is on the mount upon which King Solomon built the first Hebrew Temple, which the descendants of Avraham believed that אֱלֹהִים - Elohim dwelt therein and where they made their sacrificial offerings to אֱלֹהִים - Elohim!

The so-called Christian (murderous) Crusaders invaded Judah in 1099 CE and killed a massive number of Muslim’s and Hebrew’s.

After 2187 years Jerusalem having been the official country of the Hebrews, the Muslim Sultan Saladin of Egypt and Syria, took possession of Jerusalem on October 2, 1187 CE, having defeated those evil so-called Christian Crusader army at the Battle of Hattin who, as I already stated had murdered countless thousands of Hebrews and Muslims’!

One of the facts related to the Crusader army who were in Israel and Jerusalem, they had a army of around 18,000 to 20,000 men, including 1,200 knights from Jerusalem and Tripoli and 50 knights from Antioch. Though the Crusader army was smaller than Saladin’s, it was still larger than those usually mustered by the Crusaders. But as we know finally Saladin won, but he seized the Hebrew City as his own.

The shrine known as the “Dome of the Rock” was built between 685 and 691-692 CE. It was constructed under the Umayyad “Caliph Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan. The shrine is located on the Hebrew Temple Mount in Jerusalem. 

Jerusalem is therefore referred to and/or regarded as the “City of Faith".

(Muslims refer to their mosque built upon the Jewish Temple Mount as “The Dome of the Rock”)

Considering that אֱלֹהִים chose the city as Israel’s holy city, other enemies of אֱלֹהִים sinfully took control of the Hebrew city!

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PLEASE NOTE: This site was originally created, for those who desired to return to our blessed and wonderful faith. Thus be wise and work on your faith and pray at least two or three times a day (if possible) and always seek our beloved אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance, for His love is always with us, especially when we seek Him, blessed be He! However this site has become very much a teaching site with hundreds of studies!

Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, said the following, via several of our prophets...

Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה- the LORD of hosts”. Mal’a’chi - Malachi 3:7. MEC).

And Remember ...

Enjoy your Sabbath Rest, Shabbat Shalom!

אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶםבְּחֻקּוֹתַי לֵכוּוְאֶת-מִשְׁפָּטַי שִׁמְרוּוַעֲשׂוּ אוֹתָם

וְאֶת-שַׁבְּתוֹתַיקַדֵּשׁוּוְהָיוּ לְאוֹתבֵּינִי וּבֵינֵיכֶם-לָדַעַתכִּי אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם

“I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloheichem; walk in My statutes, and keep Mine ordinances, and do them; and hallow My Sabbaths, and they shall be a sign between Me and you, that ye may know that I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloheichem”. Yechezkel - Ezekiel 20:19-20. (JPS).

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“Hebraic Studies” motto is as follows;

“The More Torah, the More Life”

For אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, Blessed be His Sanctified Name,

He is the one who gave us our Life!

May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom = Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD of hosts. be with you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Tefeelah’s (Prayers) and regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah’s (blessings) before food and drinks, etc!

שָׁלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with you!

Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

 

 

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