What Is So Important About Jerusalem Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

What Is So Important About Jerusalem - Essay Example At the beginning of the twentieth century, British forces captured Jerusalem from the Turks. Following this capture, the British troops pledged that they would conserve all religious sites and places of worship in the holy city. In the same era, Chaim Weizmann, a Zionist purchased the area surrounding the wall in order to make it accessible to other Jews. This event shows that the Jews were willing and able to sacrifice their wealth in order to gain access to the western wall. Christianity: Church of the Holy Sepulchre is an ancient church in Old City of Jerusalem. The church is believed to be the site of Jesus’ burial and resurrection. The church has an extensive history that stretches all the way from the 4 century AD. Currently, the church serves as the control center for Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem. The control of the church and adjacent land is under the control of several Christian churches around the world. The church is believed to be the center of key phenom enon and sites in the Christian faith that include Golgotha, the hill of Calvary, and the original cross of Jesus. The church is of immense significance to Christian of all ages. Being the main Christian establishment in the holy land, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher is of interest to many world leaders. Moreover, the church was the target of crusaders who travelled from Europe to the holy land6. The church was an important symbol in ancient early civilization and it was destroyed and reconstructed many times. For example, the churchy was demolished by the Persians in 614 AD under the command Khosrau II. The church underwent numerous demolitions and reconstructions under various authorities. In the 7th century, the Persians invaded Jerusalem and removed the Cross-from Church of the Holy...Recent archeological evidence has revealed that the wall was not completed during Herod’s reign. The studies have revealed that constructions may have been completed at the end of the seven the century. The wall and the temple courtyard that it encloses have been a pilgrimage site for the Jews over the centuries. Since the establishment of the Zionist movement, the wall has been a major cause of conflict between Jews and Muslims3. Both the Muslims and the Jews claim right of ownership including the right to worship and pilgrimage to the wall and the temple. Indeed the wall is a fundamental aspect of the Jewish religion. According to the Jews, King Solomon constructed the western wall and it serves as the only remnant of the first temple. The Jews regard the wall as the only accessible spot of the holy land. The site is the closest to even ha-shetiya (the foundation stone) located in the temple mountain4. The foundation stone is regarded ans the holy of holies and no one is allowed to set foot upon it. The Jews used to pray by the walls during the time of tribulation and it is believed that God heard their prayers. Through the ages, Jews of all age gathered and prayed beside the western wall.Certainly, there are many unknown facts about the holy lands and their significance to the future of humanity. Therefore, modern religions cannot be based on these holy lands.