Jerusalem occupies a prominent, in fact unique, place in the history and the heart of the Jewish people. The seat of the Jewish monarchy, Jerusalem was the home of the Holy Temple, Beit Hamikdash, to which Jewish pilgrims traveled three times a year on the holidays of Sukkot, Pesach, and Shavuot. In addition to the numerous references to Jerusalem in the Tanakh, we also continue to recite blessings and prayers which reflect Jerusalem’s historical, political, and religious importance. Because of the Jewish People’s relationship with and to Jerusalem, we have chosen the following enduring understanding: The physical city of Jerusalem combined with its spiritual essence, together form the capital of the Jewish people.

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