The word “Zion” (Tzion in Hebrew) is one of the most important and meaningful terms in the Bible. It’s mentioned more than 150 times, particularly in the Psalms of King David and in the words of the prophets. Sometimes, Zion refers to the Land of Israel, sometimes to the People of Israel and sometimes to Jerusalem. However, the most common and specific meaning of “Zion” is the area of Har Habayit (the “Temple Mount”) and the Beit Hamikdash (the “Temple”).
If you knew nothing about the history of modern Zionism, but you knew its biblical meaning, you would come to the logical conclusion that “Zionism” was a movement whose ultimate goal was to bring the Jews back to Israel, Jerusalem and the Temple Mount. It would be clear to you that once Zionism had succeeded in regaining Jewish sovereignty over the Temple Mount, it would then direct its energies into building the Beit Hamikdash and restoring the service of God that took place there.
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