Why was Jerusalem chosen as Israel's capital?

Answer 1

Jerusalem was chosen as the modern capital of Israel due to the historical and religious nature of the city. Every Jewish nation that has controlled Jerusalem has ruled from it (from Davidic times to Judea to the Hasmoneans). Additionally, it is seen as a center of Jewish culture and history.

Answer 2

Because it was established as Israel's capital 2900 years ago by King David.

• 1) Jerusalem is the center of Judaism. It is important to Jews because it was the site of the Akeidah (Binding of Isaac, in Genesis ch.22) and was later the seat of the Davidic Kings, when King David, Israel's greatest king, founded the dynasty that ruled Judah for much of its history, making Jerusalem the capital of the United Kingdom of Israel during his reign and that of his son, King Solomon. Most importantly, it was the location of the First and Second Temples, where offerings were made to God and where His presence dwelt in the Holy of Holies and was manifested in a number of miracles (Mishna, Avos ch.5). Jerusalem is called the holy city by the prophets (Isaiah 52:1). It was where Jews would go three times a year to celebrate the holiest festivals (Deuteronomy ch.16). Even after the destruction of the Temple, the Temple Mount and adjacent Western ("Wailing") Wall, which still stands, is the holiest site in Judaism. It is hoped and prophesied (Ezekiel ch.40-44) that one day a third temple will be rebuilt in Jerusalem and that the Messiah will come to it.
• 2) As a result of the historical connection between the Jewish people and Jerusalem, it was seen as an intrinsically holy city and a place where God's presence rested. Jerusalem has become representative of the connection with the Divine. In addition, Jerusalem is seen as the source of Divine Law, as demonstrated in many Jewish prayers: "Ki miTziyon tetze Torah udvar Hashem maYerushalayim - From Zion comes the Torah and the Word of God from Jerusalem"; Isaiah 2:3. Jerusalem is also representative of the Redemption of the Jewish people from their physical and spiritual exile, because this exile causes the melancholy that the Jewish people experience by being apart from God's presence. The Redemption, which Jews believe will be brought by the Messiah, will result in the Jewish people returning to Jerusalem.
• 3) According to ancient Hebrew tradition, Jerusalem is the site where God took the very earth from which Adam, the first man, was formed. Read Genesis carefully; Adam was not created in the garden of Eden; he was TAKEN there. Jerusalem, because it is the first place on Earth where the spirit of God dwelt, is considered sacred, and a direct link to God.
• 4) Judaism is the oldest monotheistic religion and Jerusalem has been its only holy site for 3000 years, ever since King Solomon built the first Jewish Temple there. The temple was destroyed by invading Babylonians and rebuilt at the same site (known as the Temple Mount) about 2500 years ago. It was then destroyed again when the Romans conquered Judea about 2000 yrs ago, killing a million Jews, expelling another million and enslaving the remaining million. All Jews who value their heritage feel ties to the holy land, where so many of their people struggled for the freedom to practice Judaism. At the same time, Jews believe that all people should be welcome there, regardless of faith.
• 5) Jerusalem is the eternal Jewish city, and a symbol of a future time of peace. Jerusalem is also the focal point of prayer of the Jews. When they pray, wherever they are, they face towards Jerusalem (Talmud, Berakhot 30a), with love and longing. The sentiment is aptly expressed in Psalm 137: "By the waters of Babylon, there we sat and wept as we remembered Zion...." It continues to say: "If I forget you, Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its wisdom." For thousands of years we remembered our exile and prayed for its end. Now at least we can do so from "up close."

Answer 3

Ancient Israel:

Jerusalem was chosen by King David as the capital for religious reasons, more than for reasons of logic. Tradition teaches that it was the place where Abraham was tested (Genesis ch.22; 2 Chronicles 3:1); and it was the place where Adam, and later Noah, made an offering to God (Maimonides' code, Beit Habechirah 2:1).

See also: Reliability of the Hebrew Tradition

Modern Israel: Jerusalem was chosen as capital because it had served as such for the generations of the Davidic dynasty, and it had contained the First and Second Temples.

Answer 4

I will give an answer from a historical perspective:

At the beginning of the first millennium BCE, Jerusalem was the only significant city within the borders of Judah, and naturally became the capital city of a united Judah. It was perched on high ground and was easily defended, and had a good permanent source of water.

The northern kingdom of Samaria was more fortunate, in having a small number of significant cities from which to choose as a capital city. Samaria was eventually selected because of its defensive position.

Biblical tradition says that Jerusalem was briefly the capital of a United Monarchy of both kingdoms. If true, the dominant Judahites would naturally have continued to choose their own capital during the period of United Monarchy. However, most historians believe there was no United Monarchy and that its purported existence was a tradition that developed in Judah centuries later, thereby making Judah more powerful in tradition.

Of course, Jerusalem was chosen as the capital of modern Israel because of its traditional and religious significance. It is also the nominated capital of the Palestinian territories.