Where East Met West: The Chosen City of Jerusalem
A consequence of the Six-Day War was Israel’s acquisition of the Old City of Jerusalem, including the Temple Mount and the Western Wall. Jerusalem is of immense historical, cultural, and spiritual import. According to historians, Israel had no intention or even interest in capturing Jerusalem, due to its political sensitivity, until the realities of war resulted in a change of plan. The global Jewish spiritual awakening that followed the war was largely triggered by the reclamation of Judaism’s holiest site.
This lesson discusses the history and significance of Jerusalem, along with the controversy surrounding its disputed status as Israel’s capital. The lesson examines the Temple Mount and the Western Wall, and the allure it holds for its millions of annual visitors.