Surprisingly, the first five books of Moses never mention Jerusalem by name. Gen
14:18 mentions the city of Salem and Gen 22:2,14 mentions Mount Moriah (the Mountain of YHVH) but never the full
name Jerusalem. Even the book of Deuteronomy, which speaks numerous times of "the site (for the Temple) which YHVH will
choose" never tells us where to build it!
The Place Which YHVH Shall Choose
"These are the Statutes and Judgments which you must observe in the land which YHVH is giving you... Do not
worship your Elohim in this manner (in multiple places of worship) rather at the sight which YHVH will choose to put His Name,
there shall you come. There you must bring all your offerings and tithes. Eat
and rejoice there, before YHVH your Elohim. Be careful not to offer your sacrifices
anywhere that you want, rather at the place which YHVH shall choose, only there
may you bring your offerings." (Deut 12:1-14)
The commandment to destroy all places of idol worship in order
to eradicate the names of other gods from the land serves as a pre-requisite for the commandments to establish
a central location where YHVH's Name will dwell. Israel was called to transform Canaan into a land
where YHVH's Name became recognized. This could only be accomplished by ridding the land of the names
of other gods and by establishing the place which YHVH shall choose to
put His Name. (Deut 12:2-3)
"The Place which YHVH shall choose" is
mentioned twenty times throughout the entire Statutes and Judgments section of Moses' main speech and developes into a major theme
therein. (Deut 12-26)
A National Center
The commandments in the book of Deuteronomy help create a National
Center by requiring the children of Israel to frequent this site on numerous occasions during the course
of the year. Every individual must make a pilgrimage to the site on Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles.
He must also visit this site each time he brings a voluntary offering or an atonement offering.
Additionally, the farmers brought their first fruit and tithe (10%) once a year to Jerusalem, to be eaten
there, the shepherds likewise brought the first born animals as well as the tithe of their flock. The Supreme
Court was also to be located at this site.
What was the purpose of this Center and how did it function?
"The Place which YHVH will choose" was much more than a place
for offering sacrifices. It was Israel's National Center. The establishment of this center and
the obligation to frequent this site ensured the unity of the tribes and their faith. It served as the center of Justice,
Torah education, Jewish culture and national gathering, to enhance the spirituality of the individual and the nation.
"You shall set aside every year a tenth of the yield of your
field. And you should eat this tithe in the presence of YHVH in that place in order that
you learn to fear YHVH forever." (Deut 14:22-23)
How would eating food at this site lead to fear YHVH?
The Taberacle/Temple was to become the focal point of this center. The
obligaion to eat the tithe there indicated the need for an area surrounding the Temple within the walls of
the city later to become Jerusalem. Only there could the people eat their tithes and peace
offerings.
The Priests and Levites, whose entire life was dedicated to the service of YHVH, were designated
to officiate and administer the service of the Temple. They lived in the 'holy city' surrounding the Temple, together
with the judges and scholars of the judiciary, infusing it with an atmosphere of holiness.
The experience of eating in the holy city, mingling with the priests, livites and Torah
scholars and sharing food with the needy, enhanced the people's faith.
The obligation to frequent this special place culminated
every seven years with a public "Torah reading" ceremony, where the entire nation, men, women
and children, gathered to hear the Torah. Here, again, the fear of YHVH was the primary purpose.
"Every seventh year, when all Israel gather before
YHVH in 'the place'... you shal read this Torah (the book of Deuteronomy) in the presence of all Israel. Gather
the people, men, women and children and the stranger, that they may hear and so to fear YHVH
and to observe, their children too, shall hear and learn to fear YHVH as long as
they live on the Land." (Deut 31:10-13)
Israel under Joshua, conquered the land but did not succeed in establishing
a permanent Temple. Instead, they erected a temporary structure (Taberacle) in Shiloh. There it remained throughout
the period of the judges. The Philistines eventually destroyed Shiloh itself during the time of Eli and Samuel.
The Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant wandered from one location
to the next until the reigns of David and Solomon. One of David's first initiatives upon assuming the throne was to
gather the nation in order to bring the Ark to the capital city.
"David said to the entire congregation of Israel: if you approve, and this is from YHVH, let us go forward and invite all
our brethren in the land of Israel, together with the priests and levites, and gather together in order to bring back
YHVH's Holy Ark, for during the time of Soul we did not seek it." (I
Chron 13:2-3)
The Ark was neglected during the reign of Soul. For King David,
however, bringing the Ark to Jerusalem was the highest priority. After the Ark was finally brought to Jerusalem,David's
next request was to build a permanent house for the Ark, the Holy Temple.
"When the king was settled in his palace and YHVH
had granted him safety from his enemies, the king said to Nathan the prophet: Here I am dwelling in a house
of cedar wood while the Ark is dwelling only in a tent." (II Sam 7:1-2)
Even though his son Solomon built the Temle itself, its precise
location was designated in David's ow lifetime. (I Chron 22:1) At the time Mount Moriah (the site of
Isaac's binding) was chosen to be the permanent location of the Temple for all times. (II Chron
3:1)
Jerusalem was destined to become not only the city which housed the
Temple but the National, Cultural and Religious Center of Israel as well, incorporating all the qualifications required for
it in the book of Deuteronomy. This was confirmed in the prophecies of most of the later prophets.
"For Jerusalem will be called the City of
Truth, and the mountain of YHVH Sabaoth the Holy Mountain." (Zech 8:3)
"For out of (Mount) Zion will come forth the Torah
and the word of YHVH from Jerusalem." (Isa 2:3)
Today Israel is not permitted to rebuild the Temple.
Until the proper time comes, this aspiration remains a national dream and everlasting prayer.
Reaching this goal remains Israel's duty and their national
responsibility!
