Israel Part 5: Ascending to the Temple Mount

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the Jewish and Christian path to the temple mount
Going Up...

 I was shocked that our group of believers was actually allowed to go up to the temple mount where The Dome of the Rock now stands.  Notice the wooden "temporary" walkway in the featured picture. That is the walkway that both Jews and Christians are allowed to use in order to access it.  While it definitely screams "second class citizen" compared to nicer paths that Muslims use, it is a path. There are Jews who "go up" regularly to visit the real estate that they believe once boasted their temple.  Security is TIGHT...especially for Jews and Christians.  Several in our group were made to cover their arms and legs during our visit. 

The Beauty...

I had never really paid much attention to pictures of The Dome of the Rock, so I was quite surprised by its beauty.  The gold dome is well-known, but the ancient tiles are quite magnificent, too.  Here is a better picture of the detail:
Isn't that something!  The Muslim people seem to appreciate art and color. 




Here is an ornate ritual bath just outside the final steps that lead up to the dome.  We were not there during a time of worship, but it is my understanding that worshipers sit on these small seats and turn on the water to wash their feet before taking their final steps toward and into the Dome of the Rock.
The Western Wall...

This is a view of the women's side of the wall.  I did not take too many pictures there because it felt inappropriate to photograph people in prayer.  I could feel the sincerity and earnestness of the prayers being lifted up.  It was a very serious atmosphere in some ways...but just a few feet away, music could be heard and people could be seen dancing.  We were there on a Thursday, and according to our guide, Mondays and Thursdays are bar mitzvah days.  
People pray at the wall...literally, but they also pray in the court area near the wall.  A group of Jewish women "minister" in the court by making these prayer books accessible to all.  This prayer book is called a siddur, and it contains prayers from the Bible and other Jewish writings.
God gave me a gift after I backed away from the wall (you have to walk backwards as you leave).  I sat down in the court and picked up a siddur, and the prayer I turned to was familiar to me.  As a matter of fact, I had been praying it over our CMI team in Hebrew in the weeks leading up to our journey .  I bet you know it, too.  Does this sound familiar... "May The Lord bless you and keep you...." Check out Numbers Chapter 6 for the entire blessing.  

 Why They Pray at the Western Wall...

Why not the eastern, northern, or southern walls?
The Western Wall is closest to the area of the temple mount that contained the Holy of Holies in the former temple.  There is wailing at the wall...for the temple...and for the struggle, pain, and hurts of life in a fallen world.  The Jewish and Muslim people are peoples without true hope.  If they had all the answers, there would not be thousands of little prayer papers stuck in the crevices of the wall, and pilgrims would not flock to the dome to prostrate before an unloving god to beg for mercy from a works-based religion.

 Where Does God Reside Now?

Matthew 27:51 tells us that the "curtain of the Temple was split in two, from top to bottom."  This is good news that the world needs to hear!  God does not reside at the former site of the Holy of Holies on the Temple Mount...or even in the Arc of the Covenant, should it be located.    He resides in those who call upon Shem Yeshua, The Name of Jesus, for salvation.
What's Next?

The Jewish people are preparing for their next temple.  This golden menorah is currently being exhibited in the Jewish quarter of Jerusalem in front of a prominent synagogue.  It is not a prop.  Jewish rabbis plan to use this menorah in the next temple. Some speculate that they may even begin temple services in an alternate location...like the prominent synagogue...

Did you enjoy this?  Check out the other blogs in this series:






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