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✪ Mystery ancient civilization– Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Wall of Tears.
✪ Pinchas Polonsky. Temple Mount
✪ Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque. Temple Mount. Jerusalem. Israel
✪ Temple Mount
✪ Lost Temple
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Story
Wall
First Temple period
After this, the city was in ruins for a long time. To this day, along the western and southern walls you can see huge stones left there after the destruction of the Temple by the Romans. Archaeologists also discovered stone railings from the balcony from which trumpets were blown, announcing the onset of Saturdays and holidays. On the railing, part of the inscription “to the place of blowing ...” has been preserved.
Roman rule
His attitude towards Judaism and his intention to rebuild the Jerusalem Temple is explained by the fact that he tried to deprive the church of its Jewish foundation. The resumption of sacrifices in the Temple could publicly demonstrate the falsity of Jesus' prophecy that “not one stone will be left upon another” from the Temple and the incorrectness of the statement that Judaism had lost its status as God's chosen one, which was now transferred to Christianity.
The emperor immediately began to implement his plan. The required funds were allocated from the state treasury, and Alypius of Antioch, one of Julian's most devoted assistants and a former governor of Britain, was appointed head of the project. The preparation of materials and tools, their delivery to Jerusalem and installation on site, as well as the recruitment of craftsmen and workers continued for a long time. Planning the work required considerable effort on the part of the architects. The first stage of work was the removal of the ruins located at the construction site. Only after this, apparently on May 19, did the builders directly begin the construction of the Temple.
The meaning of the Temple Mount in Judaism
Names of the Temple Mount
- Mount of the Temple (הר הבית, har ha-Bayt, literally “mountain of the house”) - this name is mentioned in the book of the prophet: “At the end of days the mountain of the house of God will be established above the mountains, and will rise above the hills, and all nations will rush to it.”
- Mount Moriah (הר המוריה, har ha-Moria) - mentioned, in particular, in the book: “And Solomon began to build the house of the Lord in Jerusalem, on Mount Moriah.”
Instruction, teaching (הוראה) - since from here comes the teaching for the whole world. Incense “More” (מור) - since incense was burned in the Temple. Fear (מורא) - because here they feared God.
- Mount Zion (הר ציון, har Tziyon). Currently, Zion is the name given to another hill, also located in Jerusalem.
Events that according to Jewish tradition took place on the Temple Mount
- The creation of the first man Adam.
- Adam made a sacrifice to God.
- Cain and Abel built an altar and offered sacrifices here.
- Noah made a sacrifice after leaving the ark.
- Abraham prepares his son Isaac to be sacrificed to God.
- Forefather Jacob sees a dream here.
- King Solomon built the First Temple, which stood for 410 years.
- 70 years after the destruction of the First Temple, the Second Temple was erected here, which stood for 420 years.
The Jerusalem Temple served as the only permitted place of sacrifice to the One God, and was also the center of the religious life of the Jewish people and an object of pilgrimage for all Jews three times a year (on Passover, Shavuot and Sukkot).
The Temple Mount is the holiest place for Jews: religious Jews around the world face Israel during prayer, Jews in Israel face Jerusalem, and Jews in Jerusalem face the Temple Mount.
According to the promises of the Jewish prophets, after the coming of the Messiah, the last, Third Temple will be rebuilt on the Temple Mount, which will become the spiritual center for the Jewish people and all humanity. Also associated with the Temple Mount is the expectation of the Last Judgment.
During the Temple period, there were differences in holiness between different parts of the Temple Mount. Entry into the Holy of Holies of the Temple was permitted only to the High Priest, and only on Yom Kippur. Non-Jews, as well as those who were ritually unclean due to a crime associated with a dead body, were prohibited from entering the fenced area surrounding the Temple building and its adjacent courtyards. Those who were not cleansed of the ritual impurity associated with discharge from the genitals were forbidden to enter the Temple Mount. It was also forbidden to climb the Temple Mount for purposes other than religious or in an indecent manner.
According to most halachic authorities, notably Maimonides, the sanctity of Jerusalem and the Temple Mount remains in effect after the destruction of the Temple. Since all Jews are believed to be ritually unclean due to the impurity associated with the dead body, and it is currently impossible to carry out the appropriate purification procedure, no one can enter the area surrounding the Temple. Entry to the rest of the Temple Mount may only be permitted to non-Jews and Jews who have purified themselves from the ritual impurity associated with genital discharge.
The problem is that biblical sources do not allow us to accurately identify the boundaries of the zones. However, it is known that the area surrounding the Temple Mount was not the area surrounding the Temple. A walk around the perimeter of the Temple Mount, in accordance with halakhah, is organized by a number of public organizations, in particular, the Meeting Place organization.
Temple Location
Others believe that the Altar of Burnt Offering was located on this stone in the Temple courtyard. In this case, the Temple was located to the west of this stone. This view is more likely because it matches the spatial relationships of Temple Square and allows for a fairly level area large sizes. .
There are other options for localizing the Temple. Almost two decades ago, Israeli physicist Asher Kaufman suggested that both the First and Second Temples were located 110 meters north of the Rock Mosque. According to his calculations, the Holy of Holies and the Foundation Stone are located under the current "Dome of the Spirits" - a small Muslim medieval building.
The opposite, “southern” (in relation to the Dome of the Rock) localization of the Temple has been developed over the past five years by the famous Israeli architect Tuvia Sagiv. He places it on the site of the modern Al-Qas fountain.
The meaning of the Temple Mount in Christianity
The Temple Mount is mentioned many times in the Pentateuch, which is the basis of the Old Testament, so this place is sacred to both Jews and Christians.
In addition, according to Christian tradition, the Mother of God was led into the Holy of Holies along the steps from the southern part of the Temple (which have survived to this day). The event of the Entry into the Temple is not mentioned in the canonical Gospels and is known from later texts (Protoevangelium of James (chap. 7.2-3), second half of the 2nd century), which reflect oral tradition, but are supplemented with details from biblical books that have educational significance (1 Par. 15 and Ps. 44), as well as from the gospel story of the Presentation (Luke 2. 22-38).
The parents of the Virgin Mary, righteous Joachim and Anna, when their Daughter reached the age of 3, decided to fulfill the vow they had previously made and dedicate Her to God. Near the entrance to the Jerusalem Temple stood young virgins called by Joachim with lighted lamps. Holy Virgin climbed the steps of the Temple, where she was met by the high priest Zechariah. Having received the revelation, Zechariah led the Mother of God into the Holy of Holies, where the high priest himself could only enter once a year (see: Ex. 30. 10; Heb. 9. 7). Maria lived and was raised at the Temple until she was 12 years old.
The meaning of the Temple Mount in Islam
Muslims view the Temple Mount as one of the earliest and most remarkable places of worship of God. In the early stages of Islam, Muhammad taught his followers to face a mountain while praying [ ] .
In the 13th century, Ibn Taymiyyah stated: "Al-Masjid al-Aqsa is the name for the entire place of worship built by Solomon..." which, according to Western tradition, represents "... a place of worship" and is known as the Temple of Solomon (in Muslim traditions called the Temple of Suleiman, considered a prophet in Islam). Ibn Taymiyyah also opposed giving any unjustified religious honors to any mosques (even the one in Jerusalem), without giving them the opportunity to approach or compete in any way with the Islamic shrines - the two holiest mosques - Masjid al-Haram (in Mecca) and Al-Masjid al-Nabawi (in Medina).
Muslim interpreters of the Koran agree that the mountain is the site of the Temple, which was subsequently destroyed.
Qubbat al-Sakhra is built in the very center of the Temple Mount, and inside it there is a stone protruding from the ground - this is the top of the mountain, the only part of it that rises above the flat plateau. According to the Koran, this stone is the rock from which the Prophet Muhammad ascended into the sky on a winged horse.
Political significance of the Temple Mount
During the periods of Mamluk, Ottoman and British rule of Palestine, Jews were not allowed on the Temple Mount. The British Mandate administration introduced a special body for guardianship of the holy places of Islam on the Temple Mount - WAQF, the so-called Islamic Council, which received de facto authority over the entire territory of the Temple Mount.
Israeli police prohibit Jews from bringing religious objects, such as prayer books, tefillin, tallit and religious literature, onto the Temple Mount. In addition, on the Temple Mount, Jews are prohibited from praying and bowing towards the Holy of Holies. The police justify this ban by fear of disturbances from Muslims.
The unresolved situation around the Temple Mount between Jews and Palestinians leads to constant conflicts.
In September, after many years of excavations and reconstruction, the so-called “Hasmonean tunnel” was opened to the public - a section of an ancient water conduit and street of the Hasmonean-Herodian period, running from the Western Wall square to Via Dolorosa, 300 m west of the Temple Mount and parallel to its western retaining wall. The head of the PLO and the Palestinian Authority (PA), Yasser Arafat, then said that the Israelis were allegedly planning to undermine the foundation of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and thus destroy it, making way for their Temple. Serious unrest and armed clashes occurred in Jerusalem and in some areas of the territories under the control of the Palestinian Authority, during which the PA police used weapons against Israeli security forces for the first time. Arabs repeatedly threw stones at Jews praying at the Western Wall. During the riots, 15 Israelis and 52 Arabs died.
In the city, WAKF opened a new, third mosque on the Temple Mount, in the so-called Solomon's stables. Large-scale construction work in the Temple Mount underground has caused disruption ancient system drainage and other deformations, as a result of which the southern wall of the Temple Mount was in danger of collapse. In 1999-2002 Jordanian engineering services carried out restoration work here, since the Waqf does not want to cooperate with the relevant Israeli services and prohibits any supervision of their work on their part.
From the beginning of the so-called “Second Intifada” (“Al-Aqsa Intifada”) in September, at the direction of the Israeli government, entry to the Temple Mount for non-Muslims was stopped until the middle of the year, when the situation somewhat returned to normal. During these years, the Israeli police periodically restricted Muslim access to the Temple Mount, both for residents of the autonomy and for other citizens based on age requirements.
In the winter of 2004, heavy snowfalls and a small earthquake caused the destruction of part of the old Mugrabi Bridge, which simultaneously served as a fencing wall for the southern part of the women's half of the Western Wall. A Hamas spokesman made a statement that the bridge collapsed because of the Israeli desire to destroy the Al-Aqsa Mosque and promised revenge. In turn, the Israeli side suggested that the cause of the accident was underground work carried out by Waqf on the Temple Mount. The 2004 collapse raised concerns that this was just the beginning of collapses on the Temple Mount. One of the latest conflicts was caused by the decision of the Israeli authorities to build a new pedestrian bridge in the Maghreb Gate area leading to the Temple Mount complex. Construction of the bridge, which began in February 2007, was suspended due to widespread protests by Muslims who feared that the construction of the bridge could cause damage to the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Thus, at present, only the religious shrines of Islam are located on the Temple Mount, which is a constant point of contention between Muslims and Jews, and one of the reasons
What is the name of the Muslim shrine on the Temple Mount? Why does this place attract so many tourists today? What secrets does it hide? You will learn about all this by reading this article.
The Temple Mount, located in the southeastern part of the Old City in Jerusalem, is otherwise called Haram al-Sharif. This place is unique. It is sacred to Muslims, Christians and Jews. The shape of the Temple Mount resembles a rectangular hill. It is traditionally identified with Mount Moriah - the very place where Abraham wanted to sacrifice his son to God.
Temple of Solomon
Jerusalem is the very heart of Israel. This city was conquered 3000 years ago by King David, who intended to build the first station temple here, intended to offer prayers to the one god. However, this structure was destined to be built not by David, but by Solomon, his son, who built an impressive building on Mount Moriah. Today this mountain is known as the Temple Mount. The most sacred place inside the erected building was reserved for the Ark of the Covenant. In the courtyard there was an altar intended for the burning of victims. During the prosperity of this temple, the blood of sacrificial animals flowed like a river to the glory of God.
Destruction of the temple and its restoration
Until 586 BC Solomon's temple stood. It was at this time that the Babylonian invaders arrived here and destroyed it to the ground. And after Babylon was conquered by the Persians, in 538 BC, King Cyrus issued a decree according to which it was planned to restore the Jerusalem Temple. It was rebuilt by David's descendant, Zerubbabel.
At the turn of our era, during the reign of Herod the Great, the temple was enlarged after reconstruction. However, it stood for no more than a century, after which it was destroyed in 70 during the suppression of the Jewish uprising by the Romans.
Al Aqsa and Dome of the Rock
At the top of the Temple Mount today you can see 2 of the most significant structures. The first is the Al Aqsa Mosque (pictured below), famous for being the headquarters of the Knights Templar during the Crusades.
However, the main structure is located north of Al-Aqsa. It is a mosque crowned with a golden dome, having strange name- Dome of the Rock. The Temple of Solomon was previously located here (sometimes it is mistakenly believed that it was located on the site of Al-Aqsa).
Why did David decide that the most suitable place to build a temple was the Temple Mount? At the same time, he even specially bought the threshing floor from one Jebusite, whose name was Aravna (Orna). Why was it necessary to build the altar here? The answers to these questions are related to one interesting feature The Dome of the Rock is a mosque, largely thanks to which the Temple Mount is known throughout the world today. A photo of the Dome of the Rock is shown below.
This mosque was built around a small protrusion in the rock, rising approximately 1.2-2 m. Its length is about 18 meters and its width is 13.5. According to legend, the rocky ledge is associated with a biblical text. It is believed that Abraham prepared his sacrificial fire here in order to sacrifice his son to God. However, an angel who appeared took Abraham's hand away and told him that God agreed to accept a lamb as a sacrifice instead of the boy.
Already one such legend, at first glance, would be enough to choose this particular place for the construction of a temple in which sacrifices were to be carried out to God. The place where God's messenger appeared could well be considered sacred by the Jews. However, you can ask yourself another question: why did Abraham choose this particular ledge in the rock to perform the sacrifice?
Foundation Stone
The rock crowning the Temple Mount is called the Foundation Stone in Tahana (the supposed part of this stone is shown in the photo below). It is considered the place from which the Lord began to create the world. A natural question arises: how should we treat this phrase? Which Lord are we talking about? After all, before the religion of Yahweh arose, completely different deities were worshiped here...
According to one version that exists today, the name “Jerusalem” contains the meaning “founded by God.” David, meanwhile, did not build this city, but conquered it. That is, it existed even before the arrival of the Jews. What god founded it then? It was clearly not Yahweh.
Was there a structure on the mountain before Solomon's temple was built?
All of the above suggests that there was some kind of structure on Mount Moriah even before David conquered Jerusalem. This is the building of the gods of Canaan - the ancient gods.
Excavations of the Temple Mount are a sealed secret. Today this place has not yet been studied enough, or the results simply do not want to be advertised. Therefore we cannot say what is under the Temple Mount.
Historians say that Jerusalem was lower in David's time, and there were no structures on Mount Moriah. However, it seems that this statement is based only on the texts of the Old Testament, which only mention the threshing floor. We must not forget that, firstly, this text itself is a highly ideological source, and secondly, the Jews received the task of completely destroying all the sanctuaries of the gods of Canaan. And they could well have destroyed the ancient structure, later on the site of which a temple for Yahweh was built.
The tradition of building temples on the site of ancient sanctuaries
The tradition of erecting temples on the sites of ancient sanctuaries is very widespread throughout the world. Perhaps they are built much less often in a new place than in a previously revered one. Therefore it is likely that Muslim mosque, which we see today, was erected exactly where the Jewish temple was located on the Temple Mount.
There is one more consideration in favor of this assumption. In the Old World ancient world Today, no analogues have been discovered for the construction of temples around a ledge in the rock - structures that seem to be enclosing this ledge. Such a place for construction completely falls outside of all the traditions of ancient cultures.
However, we find the idea of building a structure around a rock (made, by the way, from megalithic blocks) on the opposite part of our planet - on the territory of Peru, a state in South America. In a similar way, for example, the Temple of the Sun located in the famous Machu Picchu was built.
Historians believe that Machu Picchu was built by the Incas. But in this complex There are many examples of outstanding skill in stone processing, so there is little doubt that the construction was carried out by a civilization that was much more highly developed - the civilization of the ancient gods. At the base of the Sun Temple one can see one of the most striking examples of the use of the highest technologies stone processing and construction. With the advanced technologies of our time, it is extremely difficult to do something similar today.
There is another similar Peruvian structure in Pisac. The famous masonry here surrounds the rock outcrop. It is already processed and is called “intihuatana”. This word is usually translated as "hitting post of the Sun." The fact is that, according to local legends, the Sun God tied his horse to it. It is clear that this translation was suitable for the conquistadors from Spain - the conquerors of the Inca Empire. However, for a highly developed civilization of gods, a translation similar in meaning would sound different, much more familiar - “parking place for a vehicle belonging to the Sun God.”
Evidence that there was a temple to the gods of Canaan on the Temple Mount
What happens? Two cultures in the New and Old Worlds, separated by a huge space, are building architectural structures built on the same principle. It is quite possible to assume that there was once a structure on the Temple Mount that was related to the gods of Canaan. And it is also logical to assume that here, in such an important place, there was a temple of the main god - Baal.
The mystery of the Temple Mount has not yet been solved. It is curious that even the texts of the Old Testament indirectly confirm the presence of ancient building, built long before the Jews came here. Thus, in the Third Book of Kings, in a passage describing the construction of Solomon’s temple, it is said that during its construction, hewn stones were used for the structure. It is also noted that neither an adze, nor a hammer, nor any other iron tool was heard during its construction. Then where could the hewn stones come from? They were probably already here on the Temple Mount. The Jews only used the old building or the surviving blocks from its ruins to build a new temple.
Dome of the Rock Mosque today
You already know the name of the Muslim shrine on the Temple Mount. Let's describe it in more detail. This mosque today is rightfully considered business card city of Jerusalem. The golden dome with a diameter of 20 meters is visible from almost any part of the Old City. The mosque is not operational. Today it is architectural monument, who protects the sacred rock.
The building was built in 687-691 BC. Subsequently, it suffered from earthquakes and destruction, and was often rebuilt. After each restoration, the mosque became even more beautiful and majestic. The building was under the rule of both Muslims and Christians (when the Crusaders captured Jerusalem), but since 1250 it has belonged undividedly to Muslims. Infidels are prohibited from entering here.
Ascension of the Prophet Muhammad
The history of the Temple Mount is rich in events and legends. It is believed, for example, that it was from here that the Prophet Muhammad ascended into the sky. One night the Archangel Gabriel (Jabrail) appeared to him. He invited Muhammad to mount a winged horse in order to be transported from Mecca to holy Jerusalem. Here the prophet was allowed to ascend to heaven and meet other prophets. He appeared before Allah himself, who entrusted Muhammad with the precepts of the Muslim faith. Today in the Dome there is a footprint of this great prophet, as well as 3 hairs from his beard.
Features of the architecture of the mosque
The mosque is located on the terrace. Gentle steps lead up to it on each side. Its 4 doors are oriented to the 4 cardinal directions. The walls are decorated with tiles and mosaics in the green, blue, white and gold colors characteristic of Islam. Many internal columns can be seen from anywhere in the building.
At the heart of the Dome of the Rock is a sacred rock formation. It rises 2 meters above the marble floor. This area is surrounded by a wooden balustrade, constructed in such a way that it gives the impression of a rock floating in the air.
During the ascension of the Prophet Muhammad, according to legend, this rock was supposed to follow him. It “took off” from the ground and is now “hanging” in the air. A small cave formed near it, almost square in shape. It was here that King David built the altar. It is unknown what other treasures are hidden in the dungeons of the Temple Mount...
What else is on the Temple Mount today?
Each wall of this mountain has a gate (there are only 10 of them). Some are walled up, some were breached when the Arabs conquered the city. The Muslim shrine on the Temple Mount is not the only interesting structure of this place. Today there are about a hundred buildings here that date back to different periods. The Mamluk and Ottoman periods account for most of them. Among these buildings you can see the greatest monuments of Muslim architecture, many picturesque fountains, arches and gazebos. Details such as capitals and columns were widely used in their buildings.
For a long time, Jews were prohibited from accessing the Temple Mount. But during the 6-day Israeli war they were able to regain control over it, and access to historical places. In 1998, the third mosque was built on the Temple Mount.
It is clear that King David, who knew about this, would prefer to talk with the Lord here. But the Temple Mount then belonged to a foreigner, the Jebusite Orna. The king had to collect ransom money from all the tribes of Israel in order to be able to build an altar on this land.
His son Shlomo, the wise and extremely loving ruler of the Jewish people, decided to please the Lord even more. This is how the First Temple appeared, which stood for 403 years and served not only as a place of prayer, although services were held there every day. It was the spiritual center, the heart of the people: laws were proclaimed here, the supreme court was held, all Jewish men came here for holidays three times a year.
The First Temple was destroyed by the Babylonian Nebuchadnezzar, and an extremely dark period in Jewish history began, known as the Babylonian Captivity. Upon returning from captivity, the Jews, under the leadership of Zerubabel ben Shaltiel, with the support of the high priest, first built a new Temple for themselves.
At that time, the area of the Temple Mount was approximately 250 by 250 m. Herod the Great started rebuilding the Temple, changing the face of the mountain itself - he leveled it, expanding the area, demolishing the hills and strengthening the lowlands with arches and walls. The remains of these walls and the Eastern Gate, located below the Golden Gate, have “survived” to this day.
This beautiful structure will stand until Rome captures Judea. Even before its destruction by Titus Flavius Vespasian, the Temple would be unwittingly desecrated by the Roman commander Pompey the Great, who entered the Tabernacle. Either he simply didn’t know what he was doing, or he openly despised other people’s beliefs. And then the Temple will be robbed by another Roman commander - the pathologically greedy Marcus Crassus.
Roman metamorphoses of the Temple Mount
Emperor Hadrian gave another name to the Holy City destroyed by Rome - Aelia Capitolina, after his own family name. And on the site of the Second Temple, the temple of the main Roman deity, Jupiter Capitolinus, grew. And in place of the Tabernacle, the “modest” Publius Aelius Hadrian erected his own statue on horseback. Obviously, so that the Jews do not forget who is now the master of their fate. The Jews could not tolerate such outrage. The Bar Kochba rebellion broke out, leading to an uncertain victory and even the creation of a “temporary” temple - people needed somewhere to pray. After the collapse of the uprising in the summer of 135, the Jews lost more than the fruits of their short-lived victory. Hadrian simply forbade them from entering the city.
This continued until 361, when an extremely peculiar man, Flavius Claudius Julian, became the Roman emperor, who promised the Jews the restoration of the Temple. No, he did not want the good of the Jewish people at all: in this way he was implementing his own religious program. Julian was a staunch enemy of Christianity. He dreamed of restoring the ancient, pagan faith in Rome, and was a fan of the old deities - Jupiter, Mars, Venus. By building the Temple, he hoped to undermine the authority of Christ with his prophecy that all that would be left was a pile of stones. And he really started construction, found funds, brought materials. But in May 363, all work had to be temporarily interrupted: a large fire occurred. And Julian did not live to see their resumption - already in July he died in the battle with the Persians. Many believed that he was killed by one of his own Christian soldiers who were dissatisfied with his policies. The Persians did not reward any of their own for the murder of the Roman emperor!
Jovian, who replaced Julian at the imperial post, was a Christian - and he did not care in the slightest about the ideas of the former ruler.
Desolation and the arrival of Muslims
In Byzantine times, the Temple Mount had no significance even for Christians: a vast city dump arose under its walls.
In 638, Palestine was captured by the Arabs. Their leader Umar ibn al-Khattab considered the Temple Mount a sacred place: he even went there to pray, ordering the garbage heaps to be cleared away. The Arabs associated this place with the name of their own prophet - Muhammad. The so-called Foundation Stone, which remained on the site of the Holy of Holies of the Tabernacle of the Second Temple, was for Muslims the “takeoff pad” of Muhammad to heaven. They even managed to find his footprint there!
Umar founded a small house of prayer on the Temple Mount: thus the future one was born. Caliph Abdul-Malik significantly expanded it; his son Al-Walid completed the construction in 705.
The same Abdul-Malik, a religious and very educated man, decided that it was not appropriate to leave the Foundation Stone “on the street.” And in 687 he began building the Qubbat al-Sakhra mosque over it, which in direct translation will be “A dome erected over a rock.” This construction was completed before the reconstruction of the Umar Mosque - in 691.
The short reign of the Crusaders in Jerusalem (1099-1187) “converted” both mosques into Christian churches.
From July 4, 1187, after Salah ad-Din's victory over the Crusaders, until the collapse of the Ottoman Empire in 1908-1922, only Muslims fell to their knees on the Temple Mount. Jews were not allowed here. However, the introduction of the British Mandate did not change anything. Britain feared that the appearance of Jews near mosques would provoke religious and national conflicts. She approved the creation of a special Muslim council to take care of the mountain.
Temple Mount Today
Even the War of Independence did not save the situation: power over part of the state of Israel - the Temple Mount in Jerusalem - belonged to Jordan. Moreover, Jews were prohibited from even visiting the Western Wall.
Only the events of the Six-Day War, or more precisely, the paratroopers from the Gura brigade, briefly returned the mountain to Israel. But the Ministry of Defense could not withstand the pressure of the Islamic world - and again handed over the keys to the gates of the Temple Mount to the Muslim Waqf. Transferred, so to speak, real estate for religious purposes. Now the waqf is managed by the Palestinian Authority.
True, everyone is now allowed on the mountain, but religious intolerance every now and then gives rise to conflicts. The Arabs even managed to accuse Israeli archaeologists conducting excavations on the Temple Mount (after all, the most valuable archaeological layers - the remains of ancient buildings) are hidden under it - that they were undermining with the aim of bringing down Al-Aqsa! Of course, it was not the secrets of the Temple Mount, but terror that interested scientists! This is what Yasser Arafat said in 1996 when the Hasmonean tunnel was excavated, sparking armed clashes and deaths on both sides.
The Arabs themselves, two years later, during the reconstruction of the so-called “Solomon’s Stables” near Al-Aqsa, almost brought down a piece of the Western Wall! And in general, Israelis suspect religious Islamic leaders of systematically trying to remove traces of the Jewish people from the Temple Mount.
In 2000-2003 non-Muslims were again prohibited from accessing the mountain: the Israeli government believed that this would only worsen the conflict. But it was aggravated by weather conditions and, again, Muslim underground work. In 2004, the Mughrabi Bridge at the Moorish Gate half collapsed, and the situation on the Temple Mount became critical.
Terrorist attack on a sacred site
The Israeli initiative to build a new bridge in 2007 was literally drowned out by the cries of Muslim fanatics: the Jews are attacking Al-Aqsa again!
The Mosque of Umar is truly the third most important shrine in the Muslim world. But for some reason it generates in the souls of its believers not at all kind and merciful feelings. It got to the point that the Israeli government was forced to restrict the passage of Muslims to the Temple Mount on Fridays. But the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem called on believers to ignore this decision!
On July 13, 2017, two Arab guys post a selfie on Facebook with smiles and the comment: “Tomorrow will be better.” On July 14, no one felt better. These same guys and another friend of theirs opened on the Temple Mount, near Lion Gate, fire from machine guns and pistols. Two Israeli patrol policemen and a border guard were injured, all three were hospitalized. The terrorists who “wanted what was best” were destroyed on the spot. The policemen, 22-year-old Kamil Shanan and 30-year-old Hail Sataoui (both Druze), survived only until noon.
The Islamic world stubbornly resists even the idea that the Temple Mount is not its own personal shrine. But also the greatest Jewish, and even Christian. Christians revere it as repeatedly mentioned in the Pentateuch - and as the place of the introduction of the Virgin Mary into the Temple.
Waiting for the Third Temple
It was not without reason that David Ben-Gurion said that both Britain and the Arab world would live without the land of Israel - for the Jews this is a matter of life and death. Almost the same can be said about the Temple Mount. There is no need to destroy Muslim shrines on it. But why shouldn’t the Jewish Temple appear there, which - in two versions - existed there long before Islam as such? Why not actually recognize Israel's sovereignty over the Temple Mount?
According to the prophets, the Third Temple will rise on the mountain after the appearance of Moshiach, in the same place where the previous ones stood. Perhaps this is why Muslims do not want this - after all, presumably, both Temples stood where Haram Al-Sharif is now. But this is just one of the assumptions! Jewish researchers also put forward other versions of the location of the Temples.
The prophet Yehezkel spoke about the construction of the Third Temple in his vision.
Well, until the Messiah has yet appeared and the Third Temple has not been built, Jewish believers will not offer prayers here. This is a place of the highest holiness, and rites of ritual purity that allow one to stay on the territory of the Temple (even a non-existent one) are currently impossible to carry out.
Attractions near Temple Mount
We can safely say that the mountain is surrounded by one big attraction - Old city Jerusalem. Each of its diverse neighborhoods has many interesting historical sites to explore and places for tourists to relax.
How to get there on your own
Non-Muslims enter the Temple Mount via the Moroccan (aka Maghreb) Bridge through the Garbage Gate.
Muslims - along Tsepi Street, through the gate of the same name. If you profess Islam or look like a Muslim, you may be asked to show your passport, give your name, read a surah of the Koran (to make sure that you are not a disguised Israeli who has come to blow up Al-Aqsa).
Story
Between the 10th century BC e. and 1st century AD e. On the Temple Mount stood the Jerusalem Temple, which served as the only permitted place of sacrifice to the One God, and was also the center of the religious life of the Jewish people and an object of pilgrimage for all Jews three times a year (on Passover, Shavuot and Sukkot).
The Temple Mount is the holiest place for Jews: religious Jews around the world face Israel during prayer, Jews in Israel face Jerusalem, and Jews in Jerusalem face the Temple Mount.
According to the promises of the Jewish prophets, after the coming of the Messiah, the last, Third Temple will be rebuilt on the Temple Mount, which will become the spiritual center for the Jewish people and all humanity. Also associated with the Temple Mount is the expectation of the so-called Last Judgment.
During the Temple period, there were differences in holiness between different parts of the Temple Mount. Entry into the Holy of Holies of the Temple was allowed only to the High Priest, and only on Yom Kippur to conduct services. Only kohanim could enter the Temple. Those who were ritually impure were prohibited from entering Temple Square, or, according to a stricter view, from entering the Temple Mount at all. It was also forbidden to climb the Temple Mount for purposes other than religious or in an indecent manner.
According to most halachic authorities, notably Maimonides, the sanctity of Jerusalem and the Temple Mount remains in effect after the destruction of the Temple. Today, all Jews are considered ritually unclean, and therefore no one can ascend the Temple Mount. However, there is a point of view according to which this prohibition only applies to climbing the territory where the Temple stood, while entry to the rest of the Temple Mount is permitted. The problem is that biblical sources do not allow us to accurately identify the permitted zone.
Temple Location
Others believe that the Altar of Burnt Offering was located on this stone in the Temple courtyard. In this case, the Temple was located to the west of this stone. This opinion is more likely since it corresponds to the spatial relationships of Temple Square and allows for a fairly large, level area. .
There are other options for localizing the Temple. Almost two decades ago, Israeli physicist Asher Kaufman suggested that both the First and Second Temples were located 110 meters north of the Rock Mosque. According to his calculations, the Holy of Holies and the Foundation Stone are located under the current "Dome of the Spirits", a small Muslim medieval building.
The opposite, “southern” (in relation to the Dome of the Rock) localization of the Temple has been developed over the past five years by the famous Israeli architect Tuvia Sagiv. He places it on the site of the modern Al-Qas fountain.
The meaning of the Temple Mount in Christianity
The Temple Mount is mentioned numerous times in the Pentateuch, which is the basis of the Old Testament, making the site sacred to both Jews and Christians. Additionally, the New Testament states that Jesus is a direct descendant of King David (Matt. 1:17), whose son, Solomon, founded the First Temple on this mountain.
However, among the many holy sites of Christianity in Jerusalem, the Temple Mount was not given much importance.
The meaning of the Temple Mount in Islam
Mosque of the Rocks
Jerusalem and the holy sites located on the Temple Mount are recognized by Muslims as third in importance after Mecca and Medina. Qubbat al-Sakhra is built in the very center of the Temple Mount, and inside it there is a stone protruding from the ground - this is the top of the mountain, the only part of it that rises above the flat plateau. According to the Koran, this stone is the rock from which the Prophet Muhammad ascended into the sky on a winged horse.
Political significance of the Temple Mount
During the periods of Mameluke, Ottoman and British rule of Palestine, Jews were not allowed on the Temple Mount. The British Mandate administration introduced a special body for guardianship of the holy places of Islam on the Temple Mount - WAQF, the so-called Islamic Council, which received actual authority over the entire territory of the Temple Mount.
At the end of the Israeli War of Independence in 1948, the Temple Mount, along with all of East Jerusalem, came under Jordanian control. Until 1967, Jews were not allowed not only to the Temple Mount, but also to the Western Wall, which was a gross violation of the ceasefire agreement.
During the Six Day War, during the battle for Jerusalem, Israeli paratroopers established control over the Temple Mount, planting the Israeli flag over it, and the commander of the operation, Mota Gur, announced over army radio communications: “The Temple Mount is in our hands!” However, soon, by order of Defense Minister Moshe Dayan, the flag was lowered, and the powers of the Waqf were again officially confirmed.
Since 1967, access to the Temple Mount has been open to everyone on designated days and hours.
In , after the signing of the Oslo Accords, control of the Waqf passed from Jordan to the Palestinian Authority. The workers of this organization are accused of systematically destroying archaeological values - traces of the Jewish presence on the Temple Mount - under the guise of repair and construction work. At the same time, Muslim preachers freely engage in anti-Israeli propaganda, incite violence and generally refuse to acknowledge the very fact of the existence of
Russian and Israeli tour operators offer a variety of excursion programs thematically related to the history of Jerusalem, the culture and holy places of the city. These excursions are very popular and are invariably in demand by Russian and foreign tourists visiting the Eternal City. Jerusalem has always been interesting to people, regardless of their religious affiliation, cultural traditions and professional status.
The main Muslim shrines in Jerusalem are:
- Al Aqsa Mosque
The mysteries and secrets of Jerusalem are spiritual food for scientists and those who love adventure. Jerusalem and its numerous temples and monasteries are a place of annual pilgrimage to holy places not only for Christians, but also for representatives of the Jewish and Muslim religions.
Concentrated several of the most famous mosques in Jerusalem. Towering over all city blocks and surrounded by a high wall, it is a Jewish shrine where both Temples were built, and, according to the Torah, the Third will be built.
The Temple Mount is the central place from which the prayers of the Jews ascend from the Western Wall, bringing the coming of the Messiah closer. The Temple Mount is also known for its most important Muslim shrines - the domes of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock (Kubbat al-Sakhra) rise here.
Architectural features
Her architectural features, thanks to which it received the status of one of the most beautiful in the Old City, indicate the early period of Islamic architecture (7th century AD). The Temple Mount's rectangular platform with its central golden dome is visible from the farthest heights of Jerusalem.
One of the features of the mosque is that this building is the only one that has not been affected by time or reconstruction and appears today almost in its original form. The only change that affected the mosque during the Kingdom of the Crusaders was associated with its conversion, however, not for a long period, into a Christian temple.
Saladin, who reigned in Jerusalem at the end of the 12th century, converted all church buildings in the Old City (with the exception of) into mosques. As a result of a strong earthquake that occurred in the 30s of the last century, the mosque suffered some damage.
The 2008 Jerusalem earthquake was so strong that it caused a meter-long depression in the ground next to the walls of the mosque.
One concept is that the Dome of the Rock mosque building in Jerusalem was built where the First and then the Second Temple were built. The same concept places the Cornerstone, which is associated with the creation of the world in Jewish tradition, under the Dome of the Rock.
Muslim legend says that this stone witnessed the ascension to heaven of the Prophet Muhammad. Nowadays, no services are held in the Dome of the Rock Mosque, and, being an architectural monument, it protects the Islamic shrine - the Foundation Stone. Only Muslims are allowed to enter the building.
The founder of the beautiful Dome of the Rock mosque is historically considered to be Caliph Omar I, during whose reign Jerusalem was conquered by the Arabs. By his decree, a temporary wooden structure was built, which was then, during the time of Caliph Abd al-Malik, replaced by a new, solid one.
In this form it has survived to this day. The name "Mosque of Omar", which is sometimes used to refer to the Dome of the Rock, is apparently associated with the name of the Caliph Omar I.
Architectural features
Above the mosque building, which has the shape of an octahedron, rises a majestic dome of a cylindrical structure, covered in gold leaf in the 1990s, donated by the King of Jordan. White marble is used to cover half of the external walls, and the upper part is decorated with bluish tiled mosaics.
Its patterns are laid out in marble, gold and mother-of-pearl and are represented by geometric and floral patterns with fragments of Arabic inscriptions. The majestic decoration of this mosque is a shining example of Islamic art and cultural heritage.
The area of the Dome of the Rock Mosque, located in the center of the Temple Mount, is surrounded by eight staircases, above which rise arches. Tradition says that on the day marked by the Great Judgment, good and evil deeds will be weighed on scales installed in these arches. The area can accommodate up to 300 thousand worshipers at a time.
Al Aqsa Mosque
One of the oldest, the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, crowned by an inconspicuous gray dome, is the third most important Islamic shrine and is located south of the central Dome of the Rock mosque. Its construction, which was completed by Caliph Al-Walid, dates back to the eighth century.
Upon completion of the next restoration work after the devastating earthquake of the 40s of the 1st century AD. e. she appeared in the form in which we can see her today. Destructive earthquakes have repeatedly caused restoration work carried out in the mosque.
During the Crusader Kingdom it was used as Christian temple. A series of recent reconstructions and repairs were carried out with the financial support of the Egyptian and Jordanian kings. The mosque building has a quadrangular shape, with the Western Wall of the Temple serving as a support for one of its parts.
The Dome of the Rock mosque is often attributed paramount importance, although this is incorrect, since one of the most significant shrines of the Muslim religion is the Al-Aqsa Mosque, located slightly south of the center of the Temple Mount. But we must pay tribute, both mosques are united by a single architectural complex.
Inexperienced tourists make the mistake of attributing to these two shrines the name of the Jerusalem Mosque of Omar. In Jerusalem it is not located on the Temple Mount, but in the Christian Quarter.
From the courtyard of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, this Mosque with a 15-meter minaret is clearly visible. The location of the mosque is famous for the fact that Caliph Omar prayed here after Jerusalem was taken by his army.
The Mosque of Omar was built by Sultan Saladin in the 12th century, with the minaret completed in a later period and its restoration carried out by order of Sultan Abdul Hamid in the 19th century.
Tourist Jerusalem
In subsequent years, the trend in the popularity of travel to shrines Eternal City will increase. The main Jewish, Christian and Muslim Temples of Jerusalem are not only religious places of worship, but also cultural heritage of global significance.
The program of excursions to the sights of Jerusalem includes not only a visit to the Old City. In modern Jerusalem - the capital of Israel and largest city The country's many tourist sites are represented by modern public and government institutions and cultural centers.
The capital of Israel contains buildings of many government and other public institutions, such as the complex of buildings of the Knesset or the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In addition, wonderful opportunities are provided, for example, by those tours to Egypt, the program of which includes a visit to Jerusalem.
Hotel room rates in Tel Aviv range from 41 to 166 $ per person for one day of stay.
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They provide tourists with a wide selection of hotel rooms costing an average of $60-80 per person/day.
