The word "Jerusalem" is Hebrew for "city of peace or rest." This city is also known as "The City of David" because King David dedicated this city as the capital of Judah and even built his own palace there. Now what really made this city famous was the fact that this city was where the Temple of God resided. This sacred structure was erected by David's son, Solomon.
One super interesting fact about this city is that the basic linguistics surrounding its name perfectly reflects its purpose! It's not a coincidence that this was called a "city of rest or peace" while being the same place where the Temple of God was. Biblically and even historically this the Temple was known as a resting place for God and also for man. In fact Hebrew men entered God's resting place on the seventh day of the week, known as the Sabbath day or "Shabbat." Interestingly enough, Sabbath or Shabbat is Hebrew, for "rest."
Now before the Temple was erected, the "Tabernacle" was God's residence and dwelling place. This temporary sanctuary was a sacred tent that could be erected and dismantled at a moments notice. The ancient Hebrews worshiped God here and began doing so ever since they were lead out of Egypt, by Moses. The Tabernacle facilitated their nomadic lifestyle, until they reached the promised land.
When the Hebrews got to their land of promise, the Temple was eventually established. This event instantly had a significant impact on the city of Jerusalem. Now three times each year, the city would be flooded with every single Jewish male. This was in part to one of the 613 Torah laws known as "mitzvot." This mitzvot rule can be found in Deuteronomy 16:16. Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty: As you can imagine, the Temple made Jerusalem a very significant city.
Jerusalem is also still known to some as a "Holy City" Now I would agree that at one time it certainly was. After all, at one point in time, a Holy God did dwell in it's midst. Now is this same city still a "Holy City" today? Well, without a Temple and a Holy God of course dwelling that Temple, how can it be? Keep these thoughts in mind, especially when reading the next post. If you want your answer though, the Prophet Haggai has something to say on the matter. Haggai 2:12 tells us that Holiness cannot be transferred by anything but God. On the other hand, anything that is unclean makes everything it comes into contact with unclean as well. (Haggai 2:13) So without God can anything be made Holy? Not a change.
To end this post with some humor, aren't you glad that you are not under the law? Flying to Jerusalem three times a year would get costly! Being that there is no physical Temple in existence makes keeping the law not even possible. So remember if someone scolds you for "attempting" to keep the law for doing a good deed, please remind them what the Torah law in fact is. On the other end of the spectrum, if someone tells you that you must keep the law, give them the same news as well! (613 Torah laws.)