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Israel
Located on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea, Israel is the only Jewish-majority state in the world. It has a total land area of 22,072 sq km with an estimated population of approximately 7.7 million as of 2010.
6,421 Questions
The apartheid regime, The occupying regime, Occupied Palestine,
What city in Israel has Jews and Muslims in it?
The holy land for Judaism is Israel, and the holy city is Jerusalem.
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 (1 Kings ch.8) 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.
Jerusalem has become representative of the connection with the Divine. Jerusalem is also seen as the source of Divine Law, as demonstrated in many Jewish prayers: "Ki miTziyon tetze Torah udvar Hashem miYerushalayim - 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.
According to ancient Hebrew tradition, Jerusalem is the site where God took the very earth from which Adam, the first man, was formed (midrash Rabbah 14:8). 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 a direct link to God.
Judaism is the oldest monotheistic religion and Jerusalem has been its only holy site for over 3000 years. King Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem 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 years ago, killing a million Jews, and expelling and enslaving hundreds of thousands. All Jews who value their heritage feel ties to Jerusalem and 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.
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....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."
Is the sea of Galilee a stormy lake?
The Sea of Galilee(Lake Kinneret) lies in the Northern District of Israel. It is fed by the Jorden river and several underground springs. Lake Kinneret is about 33 miles long and 8 miles wide. It does not have storms any more than average lakes. However, since it sits in a valley, the lake can be prone to somewhat higer winds at times.
How does Israel celebrate Christmas in regards to customs traditions and decorations?
Israel is mostly populated with Jews. Jews do not recognize Jesus Christ as the son of God. Since Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus, it is not recognized as a holiday by Jews. Christmas is, however, celebrated by the minority of Christian Arabs residing all over the country. Although it is not an official holiday, it is still celebrated even as a tradition. To say that Christmas is not evident in Israel would be too ignorant of a statement. Jews do, however, celebrate Channukah at about the same time that Christians celebrate Christmas.
Do many Christians visit the Holy Land?
I could give you a figure, but yes a high number do.
Hundreds of thousands of Christians travel to the Holy Land every year on pilgrimages. Many of them return year after year to visit the many Christian holy sites.
Was Israel always a free country?
No. Under the Ottomans and the British it was not a free country. However, since the Declaration of Independence in 1948, Israel has been a free and democratic country.
Is Solomon's temple in Jerusalem?
Solomon's temple in Jerusalem was destroyed in 72 AD. It stood on Mt. Moriah. It has not been rebuilt. There are prophesies that predict it will be rebuilt when the remnant returns to the land. The old prophesies predict that unlike the old temple, the new temple will be built on Mt. Zion because Mt. Moriah has been given to a different people.
Does Israel possess the land between Euphrates?
No.
The State of Israel is quite far from the River Euphrates, which is currently inside the borders of Turkey, Syria, and Iraq.
In Genesis, the inheritance of the Israelites is discussed in the sweeping terms "from the Euphrates to the Nile" but this large area was never under Jewish sovereignty at any time in history. With the exception of some rogue elements in Israeli society, no-one claims that the State of Israel should expand to include the Euphrates.
What is the Dome of the Rock called?
The Dome of the Rock is located in Jerusalem at the foot of the Mount of Olives. It is basically a shrine with a Gold Dome Roof. It is said that Mohammad flew to Heaven on a winged horse from this same exact spot. It is the third most holy landmark in the Muslim religion. Mecca is the first most holy place. Medina is the second most holy place and The Dome of The Rock is the third. Incidentally, the Dome of The Rock is in the exact same spot that the Jewish Temple has been two previous times before. In The Holy Bible God advised Solomon that the Temple was to be erected on that one particular site and no where else. These places are called holy, but nothing can be truly holy other than God.
The Dome of the Rock is an Islamic shrine built on the place where, according to Islamic tradition, Muhammed ascended into Heaven. It was completed in 691 CE, making it the oldest existing Islamic building in the world. The dome of the rock contains a mosque known as the El-Aqsa mosque which, according to Islamic belief, was built by the Prophet Jacob, son of Isaac. The site's significance stems from the religious beliefs regarding the rock at its heart, known as the Foundation Stone in Judaism.
Jewish tradition holds that the Dome of the Rock is built on or near the location of Solomon's temple.
The Dome of the Rock is located at the visual center of a platform known as the Temple Mount, which Muslims refer to as the "Noble Sanctuary". It was constructed over the site of the Second Jewish Temple which was destroyed during the Roman Siege of Jerusalem in 70 CE.
Which religious group was in control of the holy land at the end of the crusades?
The Muslims controlled the Holy Land after the crusades ended.
When was Bikur Cholim B'nai Israel Synagogue created?
Tephereth Israel Synagogue was created in 1925.
What country is the Golan Heights located in?
The Golan Heights is a strategic plateau and mountainous region at the southern end of the Anti-Lebanon Mountains and remains a hotly contested land between both Syria and Israel. The area is currently governed by Israel.
What continent is the Sea of Galilee?
The sea of Galilee isn't a continent... it's a sea. assuming you mean "What continent is The Sea of Galilee on," the answer would be Asia.
Israel's first peace treaty with an Arab State was the Camp David Accords of 1979 between Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat. This was extremely unpopular in Egypt, where the citizens wanted a perpetual conflict with Israel, and would eventually result in Sadat's assassination in 1981.
Who drove the Palestinians out of Israel and moved the capital to Jerusalem?
King David.
When he was a young lad he was sent by his father to check on his brothers who were serving with King Saul's army. He accepted the challenge of Goliath for one on one combat to settle the battle between Saul and the Philistines. He found Saul's armour to heavy but defeated Goliath with a sling and stone in the Valley of Ela. (1st Samuel - Chapter 17)
He went on to be Saul's son in law, confidant of Jonathan (Saul's son), and (estranged) member of Saul's court. David eventually succeeded Saul. He reigned for 7 years in Hebron and then established his capital in Jerusalem where he reigned for 33 years.)
He was succeeded by his son Solomon who built the First Temple.
What is the size of Israel's armed forces?
Military age 18
Conscription 18
Available for
military service 1,554,186 males, age 17-49 (2000 est.),
1,514,063 females, age 17-49 (2000 est.)
Fit for
military service 1,499,998 males, age 17-49 (2000 est.),
1,392,319 females, age 17-49 (2000 est.)
Reaching military
age annually 54,148 males (2000 est.),
47,996 females (2000 est.)
Active personnel 176,500[1] (ranked 34th)
Reserve personnel 445,000[1]
How many hours is it to go from Egypt to Israel by walking?
It depends where you are in Egypt. If you are standing on the Israeli border or very close (like the Egyptian resort of Taba), it can take less than an hour to walk to Israel. If you are starting from Cairo, it would take roughly 120 hours at roughly 3 miles an hour (assuming you do not count resting or eating breaks).
The biggest challenges faced by the Jewish settlers who arrived in Israel
beginning in the 1880s is introducing modern agricultural methods to an
ancient culture.
Mosquitos in the wetlands represented another challenge.
Growing anything at all in the arid and desert areas was another challenge.
What caused the Jews to move to Israel in the 1940s?
The holocaust in Europe, which not only scared all the Jews that survived out of Europe, but also made all Jews realize that their on their own.
How much does it cost to renew your Israeli passport?
According to the site of the Israeli Ministry of Interior (in the related links), it can take up to seven business days to send a renewed Israeli passport via registered mail. Please see the related link for procedure details.
What two religion are fighting over israel and palestine?
No religions are fighting within Israel, unless you count the political squabbles between Religious Jews and Secular Jews. The nationalist fighting (which is often broken up by observers along religious lines) occurs primarily in the Palestinian territories. In those areas, primarily Jewish Israeli soldiers (although there are Muslim, Druze, and Christians enlisted in the Israeli Army) fight against primarily Muslim Palestinian Militants and Terrorists (although there are also Christian Palestinians).
How long does the Prime Minister in Israel serve?
There is no limit on the amount of terms that an Israeli Prime Minister can serve provided his party keeps winning elections and he does not die. Elections must be held within four years of the previous election, but at the convenience of the Prime Minister.
