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Blessing Israeli belivers is a division of Watch Ministries.inc.  Weekly Israel Update from the Old City Jerusalem

This week, much attention has been focused on the rebuilt Hurva synagogue that was center of Jewish life in the Old City of Jerusalem before being destroyed by the Jordanians on 27 May 1948. The synagogue was dedicated last month on the very day, the first of Nissan, centuries ago that Moses' tabernacle was dedicated in the wilderness, and the glory of God filled the tabernacle! (See Exodus 40:2, 34) The Hurvah is the only building in Israel with historic significance to be fully rebuilt after total destruction

Almost immediately after the opening of the synagogue, a suggestive rumor, meant to incite Arabs, spread that the procession would continue to the Temple Mount. This sparked riots with Arabs quickly organizing busloads of demonstrators from all over Israel, and they converged upon Jerusalem by the thousands, causing traffic jams and precipitating police attention. Islam doesn't allow any building to compete with mosques either in height or beauty as they want their Holy building to be the center of attention. Up till know the Dome of the Rock and the Holy sepulcher dominated, now we have a third and a Jewish structure competing.

Below are pictures of the synagogue which was destroyed in 1948 and the new synagogue. First built 1700, destroyed 1721, rebuilt 1864, destroyed 1948, rebuilt 2010. At the bottom of the page is a unique video of the interior of the new synagogue

A Rabbinical prophecy in the early 20th century asserts that when the Hurva synagogue is rebuilt the second time, the Messiah will come. The synagogue was originally built by the followers of Rabbi Judah he-Hasid, who led a mass emigration of 1,500 Jews from Poland to Jerusalem, of which only 500 survived the journey. Judah he-Hasid died days after arriving on October 14, 1700.

The first synagogue was dedicated on 27 October 1700, and was destroyed by the Muslims just two decades later on 27 October 1721. It was rebuilt and rededicated in 1864, and officially named the "House of Jacob" synagogue. It is more commonly known as the Hurvah synagogue, which means "ruins," having been in ruins for over 140 years. The Hurvah was then destroyed less than a fortnight after Israel became a state in 1948.

The Hurvah Synagogue has now been rebuilt, and it is our fervent prayer that it will again serve as the center of Jewish life in the Old City, a symbol of the coming of the messiah, a fulfillment of messianic prophecies, and a national revival of hearts for the Holy One of Israel, for whom observant Jews, Christians, and Israeli believers await. Maranatha, Yeshua Hamaschiach. Maranatha.

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