The Mount of Olives Cemetery is the oldest and most important Jewish cemetery in the world, with tombs dating back 3,000 years and an estimated 150,000 graves covering the western slope of the Mount of Olives. Jews have sought burial here for millennia because of the belief that the resurrection of the dead will begin on the Mount of Olives when the Messiah arrives through the Golden Gate across the valley.
Belief
Jewish tradition, based on the prophecy of Zechariah, holds that the Messiah will stand on the Mount of Olives: “On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west” (Zechariah 14:4). Those buried on the Mount of Olives will be the first to be resurrected, and they will be closest to the Messiah when he enters Jerusalem through the Golden Gate. This belief has made the Mount of Olives the most sought-after burial site in Judaism for three millennia.
Notable Graves
The cemetery contains the graves of many of the most important figures in Jewish history: the prophets Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi (according to tradition), Rabbi Obadiah of Bartenura (the great 15th-century commentator on the Mishnah), the Ohr HaChaim (Rabbi Chaim ben Attar), and many leading rabbis, scholars, and community leaders. In the modern era, Prime Minister Menachem Begin chose to be buried on the Mount of Olives rather than on Mount Herzl, reflecting his deep religious convictions.
Jordanian Desecration
During the Jordanian occupation of the Old City (1948-1967), the Mount of Olives Cemetery was severely damaged. Tombstones were uprooted and used as building material, paving stones, and latrines in Jordanian military camps. A road was built through the cemetery, and the Intercontinental Hotel was constructed on part of the burial ground. After Israel recaptured the Old City in 1967, extensive restoration work began, but many graves were permanently damaged or destroyed.
The View
The cemetery offers one of the most iconic views of Jerusalem. Looking west from the graves, the entire Old City is spread out below: the Temple Mount with the golden Dome of the Rock, the walls, and the Golden Gate directly across the Kidron Valley. The view from the cemetery, with its ancient graves in the foreground and the holy city beyond, is one of the most photographed panoramas in the world.
Visit with Hoshen Tours
The Mount of Olives Cemetery connects Jewish eschatology to the Jerusalem landscape. Hoshen Tours visits the cemetery as part of the Mount of Olives itinerary, telling the story of the resurrection belief, the notable graves, and the Jordanian desecration.