In 1000 BCE, Jerusalem was established as the center of the Jewish Nation by King David and Solomon, the son of David, commissioned the building of Solomon's temple, the holiest shrine in the Jewish nation.Israel is the elusive 'promised land', given to the Israelites by God when they fled Egypt. The Western Wall is the only remaining portion of the second temple (rebuilt after it was destroyed by the Babylonians) and is the second holiest site to Jewish people, second only to the Holy of Holies on the Temple Mount. Come to Jerusalem and feel a closeness to God like never before.
The Western Wall, the last remaining piece of the Temple Mount, the temple commissioned by God and built by King Solomon. As a Jew, you cannot get closer to God than here. Feel united with your fellow people and worship at a true piece of history. The western wall is arguably the most significant site in the world for Jewish people and is located in the 'old city' of Jerusalem at the foot of the western side of the Temple Mount. The wall is the last remaining piece of the ancient world that surrounded the area on which the Jewish holy temple once stood, and the spot where the Holy of Holies once stood. Jewish people believe that the Temple Mount is built on the old hillside Mount Moriah. According to Jewish tradition this is the place where many important events took place: the creation of the world began from the foundation stone. Adam the first human also was created at the top of the mountain. This is also the sacred spot where Abraham prepared to sacrifice his son Isaac for God. Later in history the Holy of Holies which was built on the foundation stone. Every year millions of pilgrims and visitors gather at the Western Wall to reconnect with their heritage. A common practice is putting prayers through the cracks in the wall. This helps the people feel close to God and to each other because the gate of heaven is supposedly situated here and it is open to their prayers. In some ways it is as if you are praying directly to God.
Hezekiah's tunnel (also known as the Siloam Tunnel), where the Israelites defeated the siege by building a tunnel in and out of the city, which will forever remain a reminder that the impossible can be achieved with God's help. As well as being one of the oldest built structures known to man, Hezekiah's tunnel represents a time of persecution and terror, but also of hope and proof that perseverance really does pay off.
2 Chr 32:30 "It was Hezekiah who blocked the upper outlet of the Gihon spring and channeled the water down to the west side of the City of David." |
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