Can you explain why Muhammad's turning from Jerusalem and facing Mecca is called a symbolic break with the past

It was a symbolic break from the past as it showed a clear difference between the Christians and Jews from the Muslims.

Explanation:

Before this, Muslims, like the Jews would worship by facing Jerusalem. However, the Prophet of Islam himself had never been there and wished to have a place of worship, closer to home which many Arabs could identify with.

Local culture already told about the origin of Kaaba as being built by Abraham himself.

Eventually, the direction was changed to Makkah.