The Book of Jubilees, a text revered by some but not included in the standard biblical canon, offers a fascinating answer, connecting the earthly and the divine in a truly profound way.
The Book of Jubilees, in chapter 8, describes the division of the world among Noah's sons after the flood. This wasn't just a geographical exercise; it was a divinely ordained allocation, a sacred trust. And what fell to Shem, the ancestor of the Israelites? A portion to be held "forever unto his generations for evermore." A pretty big deal, right?
Noah, overjoyed by this outcome, recalled his own prophetic words: "Blessed be the Lord God of Shem, And may the Lord dwell in the dwelling of Shem." This wasn't just a blessing; it was a recognition of a special relationship between God and Shem's descendants. But it gets even more intriguing.
Because the text then goes on to pinpoint specific locations… locations considered the most holy of holies. According to Jubilees, Noah knew that three places held unique significance: the Garden of Eden, Mount Sinai, and Mount Zion.
Think about that for a moment. Gan Eden, the Garden of Eden – the very place where humanity first walked with God. Then, Har Sinai, Mount Sinai – where the Torah was given, and the covenant between God and Israel was forged. And finally, Har Tzion, Mount Zion – the heart of Jerusalem, the site of the Temple, the earthly dwelling place of the Divine Presence.
The text emphasizes that these three holy places "were created as holy places facing each other." What does that mean, “facing each other?" Some interpret this spatially – literally, geographically. But perhaps it speaks more to a spiritual alignment, a connection of purpose. Eden representing the original, perfect relationship with God; Sinai representing the renewed covenant; and Zion representing the ongoing, present connection.
What's so powerful here is the linking of these three sites – Eden, Sinai, and Zion. It creates a kind of spiritual map, a constellation of holiness. It suggests a continuity, a through-line connecting the beginning of humanity's relationship with God to its ongoing development and expression.
The passage also alludes to eretz yisrael, the Land of Israel, being at the “centre of the navel of the earth.” This imagery, also found in other Jewish texts, highlights the centrality and importance of the land in the divine plan.
These weren't just random locations. They were, and are, points of connection, focal points where the earthly and the divine intersect. And according to the Book of Jubilees, they are all intimately connected to the legacy of Shem and his descendants. It makes you wonder, doesn't it? How can we connect to these places, even if we can't physically be there? How can we cultivate that sense of holiness in our own lives, wherever we may be?