Mt. Zion and King David's Tomb Visitor's guide

Welcome to Mt. Zion!

You have now entered the holy site of Mt Zion. The structures you see about are built upon foundations that go back to biblical times. The atmosphere in this place resonates with the love of Torah and Fear of Hashem. The spirit and personality of King David can be sensed all around. Visitors can feel his humility, his humanity, his joy and his towering faith, which made him G-d's anointed one. King David united the Jewish People. He built Jerusalem and the foundation of our Holy Temple. King David the author of the psalms which sings of the eternal yearning the Jewish People for G-d and His redemption

King David's Tomb

For more than a thousand years Jewish tradition has identified Mount Zion as being the last resting place of King David and his descendants, the Kings of Judah. 

The fearless Jewish traveler, Benjamin of Tudela, traveled from his native Spain to visit Jerusalem in the twelfth century. His chronicles tell the story of how the King David's Tomb and the other royal graves were discovered.  

During the Muslim occupation of Jerusalem, Jews and other Non-Muslims were denied access to the Tomb, and had to be content with praying in the rooms above the tomb. During the British Mandate, the British authorities permitted the Jews to pray in the Tomb on the Holiday of Shavuot. Shavuot, in addition to being the day on which the Torah was given, is also the traditional anniversary of King David's passing as well as of his birth. 

After the War of Independence in 1948, Mount Zion was in the Israeli section of Jerusalem and the Royal Tomb became a focal point of Jewish pilgrimage. Once again the prayers of all worshippers could be freely offered at this most revered site.  

The Monument  

You are now standing in the presence of a huge stone monument, hewn of a single piece of black Granite. It blocks the way to the cave wherein King David lies buried. You will notice that the top of the monument is adorned with Torah Crowns. These have been contributed over the many years by the worshippers who have prayed in this Holy Place. The crowns symbolize not only King David's rule, but the authority of the Torah through which King David Rules. The King is empowered by the Torah and rules through its power, not through his own might. This explains why King David was born and died on Shavuot. His entire identity is imbued with the Torah he loved, taught and implemented among all the tribes of Israel.

The Floral Design on the 19 ^th Century Monument Cover

This monument was once covered by a beautiful tapestry emblazoned with a delicate floral pattern. This cover was donated by Baron Edmond de Rothschild (1845-1934) on one of his many visits to the Tomb of David on Holy Mount Zion. He must have given much thought as to the most appropriate gift to bequeath in memory of our Holy and Revered king.   He decided that there is no more appropriate way to adorn our beloved King David's Tomb than with a unique colorful tapestry, a one of a kind artifact that would add dignity and glory to the Tomb. The tapestry was adorned to overflowing with a flowers, and most notably, roses.

The Factors that may have Influenced Baron Rothschild's Decision?

Let us remember that Shavuot, one of the three pilgrimage festivals, is the anniversary of King David's birth and death. Shavuot is the time when the Jews received and accepted G-d's Torah, the essence of life. Mount Sinai, the Torah Mountain, was fully covered with greenery, fragrant flowers and trees, in stark contrast to the desolation of the surrounding area. In memory of this miracle, it is customary to decorate our Synagogues and especially the Holy Ark with branches and fragrant flowers. These beautiful floral arrangements add to our joy and happiness. They bring beauty and serenity, and creating a mood without using word, as we pray for our fruit trees and their produce. These floral arrangements also influence our social behavior in a positive manner and strengthen our connection to the creator. Our hearts are gladdened because we were chosen to be the guiding light unto the nations of the world. Our renewed acceptance of the Torah never ceases, and each day we embrace the Torah as if for the first time. The holiday of Shavuot is also called the Feast of the Harvest as well as the Day of the First Fruits. Our Rabbis tell us that G-d judges the trees and its fruits on this holiday. The day of receiving the Torah is intimately connected to agriculture in the Land of Israel. Just as people flower and grow through following the Torah's teachings, so too, the land of Israel grows and flowers because of the Divine presence that resides there.

In light of this explanation of the Festival of Shavuot, it is no wonder that a floral pattern was chosen as a fitting cover for the monument of King David's tomb.

The Roses on the Tapestry Covering the Monument of King David's Tomb 

 In Exodus chapter 25:31 G-d commands Moses concerning the construction of the original candelabrum, Menorah. The Menorah symbolizes how G-d's kingdom illuminates, embraces and encompasses the entire world. This Holy and Sacred Menorah had to be made from a single block of gold. The Menorah was adorned with flowers, which were hammered out of the same gold block. They could not be fashioned separately and then welded to the Menorah. Our sages of old asked: what form were these flowers to assume? The Sages answered. "Of all the flowers that G-d created, He chose the beautiful, fragrant, serene and romantic rose to be an integral part of His sacred Menorah". The Rose symbolizes the love that we feel for G-d and which G-d feels for us. When you become a part of G-d's Kingdom, you feel this wonderful love. Since King David is the foundation of G-d's Kingdom, it is appropriate that his Tomb be adorned with Roses.

Gifts and Charity in memory of King David

Pilgrims to this holy place have always been careful not to visit it empty handed. We come here to receive divine blessings, and these cannot be manifest except through the spirit of charity.  G-d blesses those who bring spiritual and physical gifts. When we return to our homes we bring the merit of King David with us into our lives where it creates an atmosphere of joy and tranquility.