Dialogue Today


March 2004

Editorial
Good News — Bad News

Jerusalem — The Mideast Jewel

The Talk — Youth Asks

Our Roots
Angels — How Similar Are We?

What Do
Catholics and Jews Believe?

Enlightening News

News Items

Jewish and Catholic Icons

 

Archive

 

 

Jerusalem — The Mideast Jewel

Jerusalem is a sacred city to the three major religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. It is the most important city in the Holy Land (Israel). Situated high in the central hill country of Israel between the Mediterranean Sea and the Dead Sea, it is a place of political strife and spiritual devotion for the past 4000 years.

Interestingly, because part of the name, Jerusalem, sounds like the Hebrew word, SHALOM (peace), Jerusalem is known as the “City of Peace.”

Biblical references mention Jerusalem 811 times, 17 times the city was destroyed and 18 times Jerusalem was rebuilt. For example, the bible mentions: Jerusalem was conquered by David, the Ark is brought to Jerusalem, rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem by Nehemiah, Jerusalem, the Holy City and God’s Home, and finally it is the meeting place of nations.