Jerusalem – Land of Many Traditions
Is Jerusalem really the center of the world? Although it isn’t geographically, from ancient times through the Middle Ages to even today in many hearts, it has been felt to be such. Jerusalem, a bright and vibrant city revered as the land of patriarchs and to some, the place of miracles, has captured our imaginations down through hundreds of generations. No one truly knows why the swaying palm trees and sacred waters make us long to explore the tiny land of Israel, but there is something else that calls to everyone, regardless of religion or personality. Perhaps it is the allure of sacred tradition, where modern meets ancient, where reality marries mysticism. Jerusalem is the land of three religions, sacred to Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. In ancient times it was drawn into maps as the center of the world, and many thought of it as the most important place of pilgrimage they would ever hope to see.
Jerusalem is sacred to these three faiths because of many different reasons. For Muslims, it is considered the place where the prophet Muhammad rose to heaven and is one of the holiest cities in Islamic history. For Christians, many churches and landmarks are connected to the life and death of Jesus Christ, and much of the landscape has little changed since thousands of years before our time. For Jews, Jerusalem has always been on their minds, the magical place to which many long to escape during their travails in other lands. They revere it as their ancient home, the city of the illustrious King David and the land from which the Babylonians and the Roman legions evacuated their Semitic ancestors.
The Power of Preparation
Like every trip, your preparation for such a momentous vacation begins when your plane lands. Making sure everything is in order, such as your VISA, cash and cameras, will take awhile to complete but will be well worth the effort to be prepared. Once everything is in place, you are free to start exploring this ancient city. Get ready to use roll after roll of film, because every piece of ground you walk has some fascinating, ancient history. You will hear many different languages spoken here. If you have a Hebrew and/or Arabic dictionary you will be able to converse with some of the people you will meet, but not all! Tourists make up a huge chunk of Jerusalem’s daily population, and they come from hundreds of countries all around the world.
The Worlds of Jerusalem
The followers of each religion may be interested in specific quarters that have long been occupied by others of their faith. For instance, Jerusalem’s Muslim Quarter showcases a small slice of beautiful Islamic design. This is a merchant district, where tourists are sure to find amazing keepsakes to treasure. Be sure not to miss Souq Khan al-Zeit, a bazaar filled with a myriad of different shops. Although most of the architecture here is from no earlier than the 13th century, there have been Muslims living in the city at various times since the Islamic armies conquered Jerusalem in the early Middle Ages. Part of the Muslim Quarter that is little-known includes the Madrasa al-Aghuniya, a school from the 14th century. The Muslim Quarter is located in the Old City next to the Jewish and Christian quarters.
The Jewish Quarter is home to the Cardo, a section dating to medieval times. At one time the Nea Church, a Byzantine basilica, was located here, but its grand sights have been reduced to mere ruins. Relations with the Muslim conquerors in the 11th century were favorable, but construction work forced the Jewish residences to a more northern part of the city. Their new relocation became known by Christian crusaders as the Jewish Quarter. Here are some things a modern tourist can expect to see in this part of the city:
–Cardo Maximus. Archaeological work has shown this site to be an old Roman and later a medieval quarter. There are ruins of old roads and columns here that give a flavor of the past
— Ruins of the church of Saint Mary of the Teutonic Knights. This was a Crusader church from the 12th century. Although little remains, you will still find plenty of history and significance here
— Ramban Synagogue. This house of worship pays tribute to the Jewish settlers ousted by Christian conquerors, and was dedicated in 1267. The original synagogue was destroyed by the Crusaders
—Sephardic synagogues. Rabbi Yohanan ben Zakkai was the inspiration for these holy places. An interesting fact: When Muslims were in control of the Holy Land, no Jewish places of worship were allowed to be taller than a neighboring mosque. The floors of these Sephardic synagogues were created underground to allow extra room for worshippers. The experience of praying in such a secluded and venerable place, no matter what your faith may be, is not to be missed
No trip to Jerusalem would be complete without seeing the Dome of the Rock, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the Jordan River, and many other sites known for centuries in many religious traditions. Whether you are Christian, Muslim or Jewish, you will find plenty of things to do to help you grow spiritually and bring you closer to the land of your forefathers. There are some icons of the Holy Land that most visitors would not consider finishing their trip without seeing. For the Christian traveler, try these sights for an unforgettable pilgrimage:
—Garden of Gethsemane. Talking a walk in this famous garden will make the traveler think he or she has stepped through a portal into the world of Jesus. This is said to be the spot where Jesus prayed before being betrayed and crucified, and has long been a major pilgrimage spot. There is a beautiful olive garden here, providing some unique photo opportunities and a place to reflect on your spiritual journey. Although the olive trees are most likely not from Jesus’ day, scholars believe the trees may be one to two thousand years of age. Also nearby the Garden of Gethsemane, you can visit the Church of All Nations, a lovely church that dazzles tourists with its beautiful mosaic work
—Garden Tomb. The Garden Tomb is accepted among Christians to be the most likely place for Jesus’ burial before resurrection. There is a tomb carved from the rock that you may go in and see, but take note this is only a possible place for the actual tomb. It is a lovely spot and will provide great memories as a symbol of the Easter story
—Jordan River. You haven’t made the most of your Holy Land vacation if you haven’t seen the small but scenic Jordan River revered as the place of Jesus’ humble baptism by John the Baptist. There is no greater experience for the Christian faithful than to have a cleansing rededication, or perhaps a first-time experience, in the same river where Jesus is said to have first been shown God’s favor.
Here are some additional sites of interest to Christian travelers who are yearning to walk in the footsteps of Jesus:
—Church of the Holy Sepulcher
—Via Dolorosa (Way of Sorrows)
—Room of the Last Supper
–Possible place of Golgotha, the Crucifixion site
—Dormitian Abbey
Muslim visitors will find a wonderful landmark in the holy city as well. Not only is its golden dome and stunning architecture known around the world, but it is part of what makes Jerusalem Islam’s third holiest city after Mecca and Medina:
—The Dome of the Rock. This regal dome is one of the greatest expressions of Islamic architecture surviving from the height of the empire. In the late 7th century, the huge dome, a beacon of faith, was raised here in Jerusalem. Nearby you will find Al-Aqsa Mosque. In Islamic tradition, the mosque stands over the spot where the ancient patriarch Abraham, an icon of all three religions, was told at first to slay his son as an offering. Al-Aqsa mosque, an important religious site like the Dome of the Rock, is the offspring of an older mosque that was been built in 715.
If you are not of the Muslim faith but would like to study the mosque as a symbol of Middle Eastern beauty, please keep in mind to remove your shoes and dress in an appropriate manner. You will be told when tours are being conducted; there are no schedules, because the tours are begun whenever prayers are finished. Non-Muslims are permitted to tour the site by way of the Bab (gate) Al-Maghariba. This gate borders the Wailing Wall. Admission to Al-Aqsa Mosque also allows you to see the Islamic Museum, located beside the mosque
–Just gazing upon the Arabic architecture in the Muslim Quarter will remind the Muslim visitor of his or her homeland and perhaps the mosques and museums of a familiar town. The Muslim Quarter is dotted with ornamentation that brings to mind the days of Aladdin. Islamic architecture ranks as some of the most detailed and brightly designed in the world, and has been copied for many buildings down through history.
For Jews, Jerusalem is already a place of mystery, a land of awe-inspiring beauty, and the birthplace of Jewish unity. Although some could argue the whole city of Jerusalem is a monument to Jewish believers, you will want to make the most out of your vacation by knowing which sites will be of top priority to visit.
–The “Wailing Wall.” Ever since ancient times, it has been believed that Solomon’s temple stood here where the Western or Wailing Wall now stands. The wall is even considered to be the only part of the temple left intact. Over time, as a tribute to triumph and symbolism, the Wall has become a holy site of reverence and reflection to the Jewish faithful. Keep in mind that thousands of Jewish visitors mingle here, and at least hundreds of people will likely be visiting at any given time. Try to get here as early as possible to pray, reflect or leave a note in the spaces between the rocks as many Jews and tourists of other faiths have done.
—King David’s Tomb. Many come here to honor the tomb of the greatest Jewish king, David. Jerusalem is called the City of David, and from the 12th century, Jews have been coming to this site to remember the most controversial and most famous of kings. Some believe this is not the actual burial site, but for symbolism’s sake, I would recommend coming here to honor a man studied by Jews and Christians alike.
