Jerusalem as the Center of the World: The Foundation Stone

The scene must have been awe inspiring.  The Kohen Gadol – High Priest –on Yom Kippur seeking Kapara– Atonement – for the Jewish people intoned the name of G-d that is otherwise not pronounced. As the throngs of people gathered on Har Habayit – the Temple Mount Plaza – heard it they went down on the ground and shouted in unison Baruch Shem Kevod Malchuto Lolam Vaed – Blessed Be the Name of His Glorious Kingdom Forever and Ever. Hopefully, the majesty of that moment inspired people to Teshuva – Repentance, taking accountability for what we have done wrong in the past, making a sincere commitment to do better in the future and living up to it, and reconciling with people we have wronged along the way.

The Avodah – Service – of the High Priest on Yom Kippur is described in intricate detail in the Talmud and in our Mahzorim for Musaf on Yom Kippur. The Mishna in Yoma 5:1-2 describes how the Kohen Gadol carried a fire pan with coals from the Outer Alter and a spoon with incense into the Holy of Holies. He would place the pan with the coals between the staves of the Aron – Ark. As he poured the incense on the burning coals the Holy of Holies would fill with smoke. He would later return to the to sprinkle the blood from the various Sin Offerings in the direction of the Aron.

The Mishna goes on to say that once the Ark of the Covenant was taken away “there was a rock (in the Holy of Holies) from the days of the early prophets called Shtiya – Foundation, three fingerbreadths higher than the ground on which he would place the incense. The Gemara in Yoma 54B says it was called the Foundation Stone “because the world was created – hushtat – from it.” This is consistent with the opinion of the Sages that the world was created and spread out from Zion based on Tehillim – Psalms – 50:1 ‘Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, Elokim – G-d – has shined forth,’ from Zion the beauty of the world was perfected.

The concept of Jerusalem as the center of the world is a spiritual one.  The world has spread from the place G-d has chosen for His sanctuary.  And the world looks to Jerusalem for inspiration and guidance from the place where the Shechina – Divine Presence – dwells.

But it is in a sense true from the geopolitical perspective as well.  While Jerusalem is not the actual center of the world, it does sit, as the Bunting map shows, at the crossroads of the three continents that formed the known world before 1492.  Israel has the most diverse animal and plant life for a country of its size.  Flora and fauna from Europe, Asia, and Africa can be found here.  The two major highways of the ancient world, the Via Maris -Way of the Sea – and the King’s Road passed through Israel.  The roads connected the great powers of the time, the kingdoms of the north like the Hittite, Assyrian, Babylonian, and Persian Empires with the Egyptian Empire.  Israel’s position on the Mediterranean Sea, along the main roads and connecting the great powers made it a center of international business and commerce.   international business and commerce.  A perfect example would be Joseph’s brothers dealing with Ishmaelite and Midianite merchants who transported Joseph to Egypt.

Israel’s geographic importance could be an advantage as the great empires sought to gain the support of the Israelite and Judean Kings.  At other times, it was dangerous as Israel was caught in the crossfire between the major powers.  Foreign armies would traverse the land in pursuit of greater conquests.  The Judean and Israelite Kings were sometimes forced to become vassals of the great powers.  The First Temple was destroyed as a result of rebellion against Babylonian rule.

The Gemara’s description of the Foundation Stone as the place from which the world spread out is an accurate description of Israel’s importance as the crossroads of the ancient world.

In 691 the Muslims built the Dome of the Rock over the Foundation Stone. It is off limits to us for several reasons. According to halacha – Jewish religious law, the site of the Holy of Holies where only the High Priest could go on Yom Kippur retains its sanctity, even after the Temple was destroyed. While there are differences of opinion about whether we are allowed to visit parts of the Temple Mount of today, there is unanimous agreement that we may not enter the Dome of the Rock or the area surrounding it. The Muslim Waqf, allows only limited access to the Temple Mount for non-Muslims and only Muslims are allowed into the Dome of the Rock.  But we can see a replica in the Davidson Center of the Jerusalem Archeological Park. The center provides an excellent orientation to the site which includes the main street of Jerusalem and the steps leading up to the Second Temple.

Jerusalem Archeological Park and Davidson Visitor Center

Location: Entrance is to the left of the Dung Gate when entering the Old City. It is to the right when coming from the Kotel just before exiting the Old City.

How to get there: Bus 1, 2, 3, or 83 to the Western Wall.

Parking: There is limited free parking at the Mount Zion parking lot. Parking is available at the Carta and Mamilla Parking lots. There is a shuttle bus from Carta Parking Lot B (the bus parking lot parallel to Yitzchak Kariv Street) every 45 minutes from 10 AM to 4:00 PM. It is a 20-minute walk from the Mamilla and Carta Parking lots. Coming by public transportation or taxi is strongly recommended.

Admission: Adults 29 NIS; Children, soldiers, Israeli seniors 15 NIS. It is possible to purchase combination tickets with the City of David.

Food: There is an Aroma Café at the entrance. There are numerous eateries in the nearby Jewish Quarter.

Restrooms: Available in the Davidson Visitor Center.

Modest dress

Wear a hat, use sunscreen, and bring water, especially in the summer.

For a private tour of this site with me contact me at beharmanny4@gmail.com