- Jewish sources teach how the Land of Israel is the holiest land in the world, and that Jerusalem is the holiest city in Israel. It was in Jerusalem where Avraham bound his son Yitzchak, and it was in Jerusalem where Yaakov dreamt of angels going up and down from heaven and it was in Jerusalem where the first and second Temples stood.
- After the destruction of the second Temple in 70CE, the Jews were exiled to many different countries, and Jerusalem ceased to be the main centre of Jewish life – although a small Jewish population always remained in Jerusalem. While the majority of Jews did not live in Israel, Jerusalem was always part of the identity of the Jews. The daily prayers contain numerous references to Jerusalem, every synagogue in the world is built facing Jerusalem, and in every Jewish celebration, there is a remembrance for Jerusalem.
- When the Modern State of Israel was declared in 1948CE it was decided that Jerusalem would be divided so that the western part of the city was under Israeli rule and the eastern part, including the Old City, was under Jordanian control. However, during the 1967CE (Six Day) War, Israel took control of all of Jerusalem including the Old City, which meant that from this point onwards, Jews have been able to visit and pray at the Kotel Ma’aravi (Western Wall).
- Yom Yerushalayim, which falls on 28th Iyar, is the day that we celebrate the reunification of Jerusalem under Jewish rule and our renewed access to the Old City of Jerusalem.
- Although a third Temple has not yet been rebuilt in Jerusalem, our Sages (Shemot Rabba 2:2) teach that the Divine Presence never left the Kotel Ma’aravi (Western Wall). This is why many thousands of Jews flock to pray at the Kotel each day, and especially on holidays and festivals.
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