King Solomon Dedicates the First Temple

At the dedication ceremony, Solomon lifts his prayer to G-d and makes known to all that the Temple is not only a place of service and sacrifice, but the place of prayer as well. At all times, during any travail, let a man turn to this House, and his prayer shall be accepted. This House will serve as a house of prayer for Israel - but in the future, the prophet Isaiah tells us that it is to be a "house of prayer for all nations" - and their prayers will be accepted.

At the dedication, Solomon prayed:
"Whatever prayer and whatever supplication is made by any man of all Your people Israel, who shall know every man the plague of his own heart, and spread forth his hands toward this house: then You, in heaven your dwelling place, hear, and forgive, and do, and give to every man according to his ways, whose heart you know...

And also concerning a stranger, that is not of Your people Israel, but who comes from a far away country for Your Name's sakeÉwhen he shall come and pray toward this House, You hear in heaven, Your dwelling place, and do according to all that the stranger calls out to You." (Kings I 8:38)

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