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Judaism, Jerusalem, and the Temple

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Judaism, Jerusalem, and the Temple Sigma: Journal of Political and International Studies Volume 19 Article 2 9-1-2001 The Jewish Connection: Judaism, Jerusalem, and the Temple Richard Livingston Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/sigma Recommended Citation Livingston, Richard (2001) "The Jewish Connection: Judaism, Jerusalem, and the Temple," Sigma: Journal of Political and International Studies: Vol. 19 , Article 2. Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/sigma/vol19/iss1/2 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Journals at BYU ScholarsArchive. It has been accepted for inclusion in Sigma: Journal of Political and International Studies by an authorized editor of BYU ScholarsArchive. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. THE JEWISH CONNECTION: JUDAISM, JERUSALEM, AND THE TEMPLE RICHARD LIVINGSTON Jerusalem's intrimic holiness within Judaism has its roots in the history and mythology of the religion. Even as the world was cre­ ated, Jerusalem was intended to be the sacred site for the Temple. Scriptural accounts often reverence that foture site as a place for divine experiences to occur. In time the holy Temple was built, finally allowing the Jews a chance to worship. Yet, the magnificent structure was destroyed and the Jews scattered, destroying the Jewish dream. Continuing until today. the Temple and the city of Jerusalem have remained holy in Judaism. INTRODUCTION when they face Jerusalem to pray. The sacred charac­ ter of the city is simply unparalleled within the faith. "If I forget thee, 0 Jerusalem, let my right Three of the world's most influential hand forget [her cunning]. If I do not remember religions-Christianity, Judaism, and Islam-all re­ thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; vere Jerusalem with the warmest affection. Chris­ if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy" (Psalm tianity and Islam share a common thread in that the 137:5-6)* Such were the sentiments of the Psalmist greatest individuals within both faiths participated almost three millennia ago, and these feelings are still in their most significant spiritual experiences there. carried within the soul of the religious Jew to this Within the minds and hearts of the followers of Jesus very day. I Rabbinic tradition teaches that "there is no of Nazareth, it was the ministry, crucifixion, and beauty like that of Jerusalem," and that, "of the ten resurrection of their Lord and Savior that forever measures of beauty that came down from heaven, imbued the city with absolute holiness. For Muslims, Jerusalem received nine." Additionally, whoever has the spiritual prominence of Jerusalem was estab­ not seen Jerusalem in all its splendor has never seen lished as a result of the night-vision of Muhammad, a beautiful city in his or her life.' From the time it who was carried from Mecca, across the Arabian began its greatest rise in prominence during the desert, and ascended into the highest heaven from reigns of King David and Solomon (c. 1000-950 Mount Moriah (where the al-Aksa mosque and the B.C.E.), Jerusalem has been the center of Judaism Dome of the Rock are currently located). This event both physically and spiritually. In fact, at least twice later established Jerusalem second only to Mecca in each day the orthodox follow the example of Daniel importance within Islamic tradition. Although Abra­ ham is often viewed as the father of Judaism, practi­ cally speaking the role of founder was filled by Moses 'All biblical scriptures are quoted from the King James when he became their great prophet and priest. For Version of the Bible, unless otherwise noted. all intents and purposes, the Jewish religion was born SIGMA • 7 THE JEWISH CONNECTION: jtTDAISM, jERUSJ\LEi\I, AND THE TEi\IPLE at Mount Sinai, where he received the divine law that things physically are, though it is almost certain that would come to govern their lives to this very day. anciently many individuals accepted them as such. If the Jewish nation was born at Sinai, then the Rather, this is meant to present a spiritual or philo­ forty-year journey through the barren wilderness was sophical understanding of the relative importance of the babe's cradle, Canaan was its childhood, and Jerusalem, and, in particular, the Temple, to the rest Jerusalem would become its highest school of learn­ of creation. ing. Even today, it provides and teaches the most dif­ Our first legend is based upon a biblical idiom ficult lessons of human life. The events that took dealing with interpersonal relationships, which has place anciently provided Jerusalem's inhabitants and even carried into the modern Hebrew language. This the Jews in general with extreme tests of faith. Today, phrase is scattered throughout the scriptures, and it even when all the other issues seem to have a possible speaks of finding favor in the eyes of another, whether resolution, Jerusalem is the biggest sticking point in the other is an individual or even God. Tucked negotiations. Thus, the city remains a crucible in the within the legends surrounding the creation of Adam, sometimes painful tests of one's faith. What is most Louis Ginzberg reports a tradition that says that "the important to this discussion, however, is that, unlike world resembles the ball of his [God's] eye: the ocean Christianity and Islam, the place where the founda­ that encircles the earth is like unto the white of the tional event in Jewish history took place, Mount eye, the dry land is the iris, Jerusalem the pupil, and Sinai, is not given the greatest veneration. Granted, the Temple the image mirrored in the pupil of the this may have a lot to do with the fact that no one eye."" In Western tradition, the eye has become knows for sure exactly where Mount Sinai is, that the "the window" to one's soul. In modern Hebrew, to Sinai peninsula is currently controlled by an Arab na­ find favor in the eyes of someone is typically used in tion, or even, as David Goldstein suggests, that it may context of the expressions of affection between a man be due to the original prohibition against drawing and a woman. The eye is the organ which provides close to the mountain (Exodus 19:12,21-24).' Re­ the ability to visibly perceive the world. If the Temple gardless, the fact that Mount Sinai is not given the is mirrored in God's eye, that means it is ever-present most veneration remains true nonetheless. Then what in His eyes. The implication should be clear, then, is it that sets Jerusalem apart from the rest of the that in the eyes of the Lord, the most holy and sig­ world? The holiness and sanctity of Jerusalem within nificant spot on earth is the Temple of Jerusalem. the Jewish psyche can be attributed to its most sacred The Temple of Jerusalem is also viewed as that shrine-the Temple. which provides nourishment and order to the rest of the world. In other words, without the sustenance JERUSALEM IN THE JEWISH COSMOS which flows from the Temple, the world would be in utter chaos and eventually die from "starvation." A "The concept of 'holy site,' with the exception pseudepigraphic writing attributed to Philo called of Jerusalem and the Temple, hardly figures in early Liber Antiquitatum Biblicarum (LAB) presents this rabbinic literature," observes Goldstein.4 This is most concept through a fascinating metaphor. Moses certainly true, and where there are exceptions, they pleads on behalf of the Children of Israel following almost always deal with temple-types, such as Mount the golden calf incident: Sinai and the tabernacle. Jewish lore and legends are rich in discussions of the cosmological significance of Thou art God who has planted one vine, and Jerusalem (i.e., the geographical layout of this planet hast set its roots in the abyss, and hast and the entire universe in relationship to the city). stretched out its branches up to Thy highest These traditions provide us with some of the most seat. ... And now, if Thou be angry with Thy vivid proofs that the Temple is the axiom around vine, and uproot it from the abyss and dry up which the holiness of Jerusalem spins within Judaism. its branches from Thy highest and everlasting Therefore, I would like to begin by reviewing several seat, never again shall the abyss come to examples, each of which have become models or nourish it, nor shall Thy throne come to re­ paradigms that illustrate the centrality of the Temple fresh that vine of Thine which Thou hast and by extension, Jerusalem. As Joshua Leibowitz ob­ burned. For Thou art He who art all light, serves, "When the universal character of the center of and hast decorated Thy house with precious divine worship is emphasized, ... there is no clear stones and with gold, and also with perfumes, distinction between the Temple and the city.'" These spices and balsam-wood, and cinnamon, and are not to be taken as literal presentations of the way with roots of myrrh and costum Thou hast 8 • SIGi\IA RICHARD LIVINGSTON decorated Thy house.... If therefore Thou non-Jews an order providing the food and sustenance hast no pity on Thy vine, 0 Lord, all things without which human life would be impossible."" have been made for nothing, and Thou shalt This tradition becomes even more intriguing not have anyone to glorify Thee.... For if when placed next to one of our oldest firsthand de­ Thou shouldst abandon the world com­ scriptions of the Temple given by Aristeas, a Greek pletely, then who will perform for Thee what courtier of Ptolemy II (285-246 B.C.E.).
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