Why do all 3 religions see Jerusalem as a holy city?

Answer 1

Answer 1

Because all three religions have spiritual connections to it.

Answer 2

If you meant the question as phrased, it is based on an incorrect belief. The three most dominant Eastern Faiths are Hinduism, Buddhism, and Daoism and none of those (as well as Shintoism, Animism, and Ancestor Worship) have any connection to Jerusalem and have never made assertions to that effect. If you meant to say the 'three Western Religions' then, yes, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all have connections to Jerusalem. See the link below for a detailed description.

Answer 2

Jerusalem !

The City of the Prophets. Revered by Muslims as such. When Muhammad (peace be upon him) received the first revelation, the orientation of our prayers was towards Jerusalem. It was only later that God commanded the Muslims to then turn towards the House of Abraham, in Mecca.

When Muhammad experienced the Night Journey and Ascension to Heaven, he was transported to Jerusalem - to the Temple Mount - from where he ascended. He lead the prayers. with all the Prophets that had come before him.

Travelling to visit three and only three mosques is condoned, by Muhammad: the House of Abraham in Mecca, the Prophet's Mosque in Medinah, and the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. Prayer, in the mosque in Jerusalem, is considered 500 times more worthy of blessings than praying in any other mosque (except in Mecca and Medinah where the blessings are even greater).

AnswerThe above explains the Islamic connection.

For Judaism, Jerusalem was the capital of Israel and then the southern Kingdom of Judah after the country split and was the site of the Temple of Solomon, where the Jews believed God dwelt Hence it is a sacred city for Jews.

For Christians Jerusalem was the site of the trial, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ,and this connection makes it holy.

Answer 3

In Judaism:

• 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 4

Judaism: It is where their ancient temples stood.

Christianity: It is where the Passion Of the Christ took place.

Islam: It is where Muhammad is said to have visited Heaven.