What Is The Temple Mount? Can I Go There?
Entrance to The Temple Mount within the Muslim Quarter, Jewish Law forbids entrance by Jews, and in any case only Muslims are allowed entrance through this gate.
The Temple Mount refers to the elevated plaza above the Kotel (Western Wall) in Jerusalem that was the site of both of The Jewish People’s ancient temples. The first temple, built by King Solomon, was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BCE. The second was built in the sixth century BCE and stood for nearly 600 years before it was destroyed and the Jewish people exiled in 70 CE by the Roman Empire. Jews continue to mourn the destruction on the fast day of Tisha B’Av, and in the three weeks prior to the fast day, starting on the 17th of Tammuz, the day in which the walls were breached. The significance of this site to other religions occurred after the Jews were expelled. Check out my post on The Kotel HaKatan, the Small Wailing Wall, which is located right next to this Temple Mount entrance.
Are Jews permitted to visit the mount?
Yes but please DO NOT. Traditional Jewish law prohibits entry to the the site, as entry to the Holy of Holies, the innermost sanctum of the temple, as strictly forbidden, and as a result Jews who observe Jewish law do not enter the Temple Mount at all for fear of treading on sacred ground. Though some have challenged this ruling, in 2005 a group of prominent Israeli rabbis, reiterated an earlier religious edict that “no man nor woman should set foot in the entire area of the Temple Mount. The Western Wall, the last standing retaining wall of the Temple Mount, is the closest to the mount that Jews are traditionally permitted to pray. But not to worry, we know our temple will be rebuilt, and once again the Jews will have access to the Temple Mount. How exactly will this happen, well we really don’t know, but we believe 100% that it will happen and that it will be good not just for the Jewish People, but for the entire world.
What is Israel’s policy on access to the mount?
The Temple Mount may be accessed by anyone, but entry to the Dome of the Rock is restricted to Muslims. Though there are multiple gates to access the site, non-Muslims must enter through the Mughrabi Gate, located near the Western Wall plaza. Israeli security controls the entry points. At moments of elevated tensions, Israel has occasionally closed the site to visitors, including Muslim worshippers.
Looking into the Temple Mount through the Muslim only gate.
A closer look shows us an interesting juxtaposition of Jewish and Muslim tradition, and lucky timing as far as the moment the photo was taken!
