Jewish Pilgrimage
Judaism is the oldest Abrahamic religion, and history goes back to Prophet Adam (PBUH), the first human being and the first Prophet of Humanity. Since then, many prophets came, including Prophet Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad (Peace be upon them all), and delivered divine messages to world Humanity. Jewish, Christians, and Muslims are the people of the Abrahamic faith who all agree and believes in the Prophet Abraham (PBUH), who has established the foundation of the Monotheist faith.
Briefly, Prophet Abraham was raised in a family and village where most people, including his own family, were idol worshippers. Prophet Abraham (PBUH) was thrown into the fire by the people of communities and his family due to his rejections and reasoning on idol worship. The entire life of Prophet Abraham (PBUH) has been packed with struggles and trials. God almighty tested him many times, and one of the most famous tests was that Prophet Abraham (PBUH) was prescribed to sacrifice his dear son. Beloved Prophet Abraham's sacrifice has been one of the holiest events in history and became part of Jewish and Muslim traditions in the Pilgrimage. Jewish visit Jerusalem to fulfill their spiritual and religious obligations, while Muslims travel to Mecca to accomplish one of the Pillars of Islam.
TEMPLE OF MOUNT
For Jewish, it is called Har HaMoriyah (Mount Moriah) and Har HaBayit (Temple Mount). And to a Muslim, it is called Haram al-Sharif (the Sacred Noble Sanctuary), considered the third holiest place after Mecca & Madina. Due to the centuries of conflicts over the ownership of the temple, three separate entries and regions were prescribed for each faith's pilgrims and visitors. The Jerusalem Islamic Waqf is a trust established in 1187 to manage the Islamic structures in Jerusalem.
This is a most sacred place for Jewish, Christians, and Muslims as there have been extensive religious records hidden in this spiritual location.
FIRST TEMPLE
This temple is located in Jerusalem and was captured by Prophet and King David (also called Dawood) around three thousand years ago. Later, Prophet and King Solomon (also called Sulaiman) rebuilt the first temple, and that's why it is also referred to as Solomon Temple. Every Israeli male has the religious duty to visit the temple three times a year on three festivals to obtain the divine blessings of God almighty. There is an exception to the religious duty for minors, women, the blind, the lame, the aged, and one who is ill physically or mentally.
PESACH (PASSOVER)
This festival is tied to the events that occurred among Jewish people in ancient times. The festival reflects on commemorating connections of Jewish in the land of Egypt. It is observed for eight days worldwide and seven days in Israel, starting on the 15th of Nissan. The four days in the mid are called Chol Hamoed (‘weekdays of the festival’).
SHAVUOT
This festival is celebrated for two days outside Israel. Jewish living in Israel, celebrate only for one day. Shavuot means ‘weeks’ because it occurs seven weeks after the 2nd day of Pesach (Passover). It happens on the 6th day of Sivan. The Torah was given to the Jewish people on Shavuot.
SUKKOT
This festival is celebrated to rejuvenate the history of the emigration of Jewish people to temporary dwellings while they lived in the desert before entering the Promised Land. Sukkot is called the "Festival of Tabernacles." and "Feast of Booths." Sukkah means temporary hut dwelling in holidays and customs such as buying Lulav and etrog and shaking them daily throughout the festivals.
SECOND TEMPLE
There has been a long controversy about constructing the second temple among the Jewish group. Some Jewish from the rabbinic period believed that a divine power arises from the place where the Template was to build. At the same time, other Jewish did not agree with the concept as they were adamant about facing the Jerusalem temple while praying. After a lengthy discussion, the second temple was constructed in 520 BCE with the contribution of the Jewish community throughout the world. The Sacrificial offerings were initially allowed but later replaced with daily prayer. The temple and sacrifices were part of Hebrew customs.
MOUNT MORIAH
According to Jewish tradition, all of the creation has its origin in Jerusalem. The key event believed to have occurred is in Mount Moriah, where Prophet Abraham (PBUH) showed he was prepared to sacrifice his son, so the site became part Pilgrimage visit.
WESTERN WALL (KOTEL HA-MA'ARAVI)
Rome destroyed the Second Temple, and the only portion remaining was the Wall. The Western Wall has been the Pilgrimage place for Jewish people for centuries, and Jewish come to pray and request the expiation of sins by praising God almighty. In the Western Wall, Jewish spend time writing a prayer and putting inside cracks in the wall. Jewish believe that God almighty respond to their request for God made at this sacred location. Prayers are collected twice a year and buried on the Mountain of the Olives. Jewish people pray facing Western Wall (what similar to Muslims praying to face Kabah at Mecca). Though the intent is not to pray the Western Wall or Kabah, it is simply a direction where God almighty commanded to pray as narrated in Old Testament and Holy Quran scriptures.
