The following images are reflective of the history of the Jewish people, especially the Temple, an important thread in the fabric of Judaism.
The traditional practice of Judaism revolves around study and the observance of God’s laws and commandments as written in the Torah and expounded in the Talmud, and contained in subsequent commentaries and codifications.
The Temple was the place where offerings described in the course of the Hebrew Bible were carried out. As part of the daily offering, a prayer service was performed in the Temple. This was used as the basis of the traditional Jewish morning service that is recited to this day.
Historically, two temples stood at the site of the Temple Mount and functioned as the center of ancient Jewish worship; both were destroyed. It is believed that only part of the Western Wall of the Second Temple complex remains standing.
“Temple de Salomon” from La géographie sacrée, et les monuments de l’histoire sainte, 1784; by Joseph-Romain Joly (1715’1805). Print; Courtesy of The New York Public Library. www.nypl.org
Late 18th century engraving of the Temple of Solomon (1784).
From La géographie sacrée, et les monuments de l’histoire sainte, 1784; by Joseph-Romain Joly (1715–1805). Print; Courtesy of The New York Public Library. www.nypl.org
Late 18th Century rendition of the relics of Solomon’s Temple, including the garments of the High Priest; the Altar of Burnt Offering; the Table of Showbread; a gold candlestick; the Ark of the Covenant; the Altar of Incense; a Laver and the Brazen Sea; The Sanctuary, or Tabernacle.
“Ezra, the Priest, Reading the Law” from Wonders: Images of the Ancient World / Bible A-Z, 186-; Gustave Doré (1832–1883), Artist. Illman Brothers, Engraver. Print; Courtesy of The New York Public Library. www.nypl.org
The first report of the public reading of the Torah as a whole comes in a ceremony conducted by Ezra in Jerusalem in the mid-fifth century B.C.E. Ezra had come from Babylon intent on enforcing the regimen of the Torah, the text of which was soon after finalized and accepted as Jewish law.
“Eastern View of the Golden Gate” from Jerusalem Explored, being a description of the ancient and modern city, with numerous illustrations consisting of views, ground plans, and sections, 1864; by Ermete Pierotti. Tr. by Thomas George Bonney. Print; Courtesy of The New York Public Library. www.nypl.org
Eastern view of the Golden Gate, or Beautiful Gate, along the wall around the Old City of Jerusalem, 1864. In Jewish tradition, this is the gate through which the Messiah will enter Jerusalem.
“Wailing Place of the Jews, Jerusalem” from Palestine and Syria by Félix Bonfils (1831–1885), Photographer, et. al. Albumen print; Courtesy of The New York Public Library. www.nypl.org
This photograph of the Western Wall, the exposed section of ancient wall situated on the western flank of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, dates from the late 19th century. This wall faces a large plaza and is set aside for prayer. The name “Wailing Wall” and descriptions such as “wailing place” stemmed from the Jewish practice of coming to the site to mourn the destruction of the Temple.