Temple Aqueduct and Ritual Bath Excavated Opposite Temple Mount
16:57 Jan 15, '07 / 25 Tevet 5767
by Ezra HaLevi


Excavations being conducted opposite the Western Wall Plaza have uncovered an aqueduct that brought water to the Holy Temple, as well as a ritual bath from that period.



The never-before-excavated area is situated behind the Western Wall police station, adjacent to the plaza where millions of worshipers and tourists come each year to visit the Western Wall and Temple Mount.

The new archaeological find uncovers a missing link in the ancient water system, known as the "Lower Aqueduct." This system channeled water from Solomon’s Pools near Bethlehem (located several miles south of Jerusalem) directly to the national focal point of Jewish worship - the Temple Mount.

Solomon’s pools, situated just north of the modern Jewish town of Efrat, cover an area of about 7 acres and can hold three million gallons of water. A lengthy aqueduct conveyed the water from the lowest pool through Bethlehem, across the Gihon valley, along the western slope of the Tyropoeon valley, and into the cisterns underneath the Temple Mount. Today, the water from the pools reaches only Bethlehem due to the destruction of the aqueducts.

Current plans for the partition wall will leave Solomon’s Pools outside the area of Jewish sovereignty.

The plastered hewn-stone mikva (ritual bath) unearthed at the excavation is from the Second Temple period. It was originally situated in the foundation level of a private home during the time of the Second Temple. The ritual bath was damaged at a later date when the bedrock cliff opposite it was hewn into a vertical wall that rose up to a maximum height of about thirty feet.




The most extensive remains of the period are those of a Roman-Byzantine colonnaded street – the Eastern Cardo. Included in that area is a covered stoa, a row of shops and several artifacts.

The street appears on a 6th century map known as the Medaba Map and is known as the Eastern Cardo or the Valley Cardo. The lavish colonnaded street began at the Damascus Gate in the north and led south, running the length of the channel in the Tyropoeon Valley. Sections of this street were revealed in the past in the northern part of the Old City, at a depth of about four meters (12 feet) below the pavement. The full eleven-meter (33 foot) width of the original road was exposed in the present excavation for the first time.




“The street was paved with large flagstones that were set in place diagonally, in the customary method of the Roman world, which was probably meant to prevent wagons from slipping,” Shlomit Wexler-Bdolah, the director of the excavations, explained. She added that a drainage system was installed below the flagstones.

To the west of the street was a covered stoa that was six meters wide, and beyond it was a row of shops set inside cells whose walls were hewn out of the bedrock cliff. A large base of a magnificent corner column has just been exposed in the eastern side of the street and may be part of a building that stood there, or an intersection with an entrance to the road that runs to the east.

The Antiquities Authority is carrying out the excavations of the 80 by 200 foot area west of the Western Wall at the request of the Western Wall Heritage Foundation. The area will soon be the site of the Western Wall Heritage Center.



................................................benny

Jerusalem police on heightened alert
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7...362380,00.html

In light of tensions caused by Jerusalem excavations, local police increase regulations and reinforcements. Islamist leader expected to arrive in protest, despite restraining order barring him from area

Efrat Weiss Published: 02.07.07, 23:57 / Israel News





Police will be on high alert in Jerusalem for the remainder of the week and especially Friday, in light of increased tensions due to the excavations near the Temple Mount, which have ignited Muslim sentiments in Israel and the surrounding region.



The Jerusalem District Police Chief Maj. Gen, Ilan Franco said after a Wednesday night situational analysis that a heightened alert would be necessary, due to calls by Islamic leaders to riot outside the Temple Mount.

Disturbances at the dig

Sheik Salah barred from Old City for 10 days / Efrat Weiss

Islamic leader arrested Wednesday morning after trying to forcibly enter dig site at Mugrabi Gate. Foreign Affairs Minister Livni: 'There are irresponsible people, who know perfectly well that there is no damage being done to any holy site, who are abusing the Israeli democracy to incite religious sentiments for political gains'
Full Story





One such leader is Sheikh Raad Salah, who is expected to join the protestors at the Temple Mount Thursday despite a restraining order instructing him to stay at least 150 meters away from the Old City for the next week and a half.




Salah, leader of the northern branch of the Islamic movement, was detained after trying to force his way through the Mugrabi Gate near the Temple Mount, along with six accomplices, to protest the excavations taking place there.



The northern faction of the Islamic Movement expressed anger at the arrest, telling Ynet: "We assumed that the situation created by the police would end in the Sheik being barred from the al-Aqsa Mosque by an unjust court ruling."



Nonetheless, they promised to "continue our just battle against the works. Tomorrow we intend to come to the Temple Mount compound and we have already called on numerous Muslim followers to also come. On Friday we will hold a mass rally in Nazareth," they said.

.......................................benny

Feb. 7, 2007 23:28 | Updated Feb. 7, 2007 23:45
Archeologist: Ancient cistern proves location of Second Temple
By ETGAR LEFKOVITS



Talkbacks for this article: 32

An Israeli archeologist said Wednesday that he has pinpointed the exact location of the Second Jewish Temple on the Temple Mount.

The site identified by Hebrew University archeologist Prof. Joseph Patrich, based on the study of a large underground cistern on the Temple Mount and passages from the Mishna, places the Temple and its corresponding courtyards, chambers and gates in a more southeasterly and diagonal frame of reference compared to previous studies.

Patrich based his research, which is about to be published, on a study of a large underground cistern on the Temple Mount that was mapped by British engineer Sir Charles Wilson in 1866 on behalf of the Palestine Exploration Fund, along with passages from the Mishna.

The giant cistern, 4.5 meters wide and 54 meters long, lay near the southeastern corner of the upper platform of the Temple Mount. Examining the location and configuration of the cistern together with descriptions of the daily rite in the Temple and its surroundings found in the Mishna, Patrich said that this cistern is the only one found on the Temple Mount that can tie in with the ancient rabbinic text describing elements involved in the daily purification and sacrificial duties carried out by the priests on the altar in the Temple courtyard.

On this basis, he says, one can reconstruct the placement of a large basin that was used by the priests for their ritual washing, with the water being drawn by a waterwheel mechanism from the cistern.

After this purification, the priests ascended the nearby ramp to the sacrificial altar.

By thus locating the laver, the water wheel, the ramp and the altar, one can then finally map, again in coordination with the Mishna, the alignment of the Temple itself and its gates and chambers, he said.

These considerations led Patrich to place the Second Temple further to the east and south than earlier thought, and at a southeasterly angle relative to the eastern wall of the Temple Mount, and not perpendicular to it, as earlier assumed.

Patrich said that his research indicates that the rock over which the Dome of the Rock was built in the 7th century CE is actually outside the confines of the Temple.

The rock is believed to be the place at which the binding of Isaac took place, while Muslims consider it to be the spot from which Muhammad ascended to heaven.

The Temple Mount is Judaism's holiest site as the ancient compound where the two Jewish Temples stood, and is Islam's third holiest site after Mecca and Medina.
..............................................benny

Let's all give three cheers...

I've actually read that before... that they built the Dome outside of the temple lines. Wouldn't that be the greatest most hilarious thing EVER?

Oh, yes!!! They (the palestinians) have no right to any of Israel's land in the first place.

Police, rioters clash on Temple Mount


Police break into the Temple Mount compound using stun grenades after Muslim rioters hurl stones at policemen, Jewish worshipers in protest at digs near al-Aqsa Mosque

Efrat Weiss Latest Update: 02.09.07, 14:43 / Israel News




Police forced their way into the Temple Mount firing stun grenades at Muslim rioters who hurled stones at policemen in protest at renovation work near the complex shortly after Friday prayers ended.


Five Arab youths have been arrested outside the Old City, police said, for hurling stones and inciting for violence. A total of 17 arrests have been made.


Over 3,000 policemen were deployed in Jerusalem as police raised the level of alert in the capital for fear of riots over digs near the Temple Mount.



A number of worshipers who barricaded themselves inside the al-Aqsa Mosque to avoid police arrest were convinced by a number of Arab MKs to vacate peacefully after police officer promised not to arrest them for throwing stones.



Police said all forces will leave the Temple Mount complex once the group evacuates the mosque, Islam's third holiest shrine.



The Waqf, the religious Muslim endowment that rules the Temple Mount, warned police against storming the mosque to nab the suspects.



Hadash MK Mohammad Barakeh demanded that Israel withdraw its "occupation forces" from the Temple Mount and "occupied Jerusalem," describing the police's confrontation with rioters as a deliberate act of aggression.



"This government is determined to play with fire that will spill blood ... It is the Palestinians' right to protest at the provocative works near the al-Aqsa Mosque," Barakeh added.





Protesters gather outside the Temple Mount (Photo: Haim Tzach)



Police said 15 policemen have been lightly injured from stones and Jewish worshipers at the Western Wall plaza were evacuated when violence broke out.



An unidentified number of Arabs from east Jerusalem were also injured. Their conditions remain unknown.



Police said they regained control of the area but television footage showed a number of men hurling stones at policemen from within the complex.



Protests reach Jenin, Tul Karem

A group of rioters hurled three Molotov cocktails at a police force stationed at the Old City's Lions' Gate, but no injuries were reported.



Over 6,000 Muslim worshipers congregated on the Temple Mount for Friday prayers, which ended shortly before 1 pm.



Police limited access to Friday prayers to men over 45 years of age in possession of Israeli IDs. In a further attempt to defuse tensions, the excavations under the Mugrabi Gate were ordered halted Friday and Saturday.



Police also raised the level of alert in the Galilee over plans by the Islamic Movement to hold a mass protest against the digs in Nazareth on Friday afternoon.



Police chief Moshe Karadi ordered hundreds of policemen from across the country to head to Nazareth in anticipation of possible riots there.



The protests reached the West Bank towns of Jenin and Tul Karem where thousands of angry Palestinians thronged the streets shouting slogans against Israel and demanding the renovation work be stopped.



Ali Waked contributed to this report



................................................benny

Oooh, my blood's starting to boil...

It's the muslims who are the 'occupying forces', as it's Israel's land.

The sheer arrogance of these thieves...

SCI - Temple's location found:Muslim Dome of the Rock outside confines

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MUCH ABOUT HISTORY
Temple's location found,
says Israeli archaeologist
Study of ancient cisterns pinpoints sacred site,
– Muslim Dome of the Rock outside confines

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted: February 11, 2007
1:00 a.m. Eastern

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/ar...TICLE_ID=54197

© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com

Using maps created in 1866 by a British explorer and passages from the Jewish Mishnah, an Israeli archaeologist and professor at Hebrew University says he has pinpointed the location of the sacred Jewish Temple, twice built and twice destroyed in ancient times.

While popular consensus places the Temple, built by King Solomon in the 10th century B.C. and rebuilt by Jews who returned from Babylon in the 5th century B.C., on the site of the present Muslim Dome of the Rock, Prof. Joseph Patrich says archaeological remains show its exact location – and the consensus is wrong.



Dome of the Rock on Jerusalem's Temple Mount, facing west.


According to Patrich, the Temple, its corresponding courtyards, chambers and gates were oriented in a more southeasterly direction, sitting diagonally on what is the modern Temple Mount. The difference in orientation and the placement further eastward varies from the east-facing orientation of other scholars who believe the Temple was closer to today's Western Wall.

However, that difference is why, Patrich says, the Temple did not sit over the rock believed by Jews to be the site where Abraham was prepared to sacrifice his son Isaac and where Muslims believe Muhammad ascended into heaven.




Patrich's siting of the Temple is derived from information collected by British engineer Sir Charles Wilson in 1866 on behalf of the Palestine Exploration Fund. Wilson mapped a series of ancient cisterns below the present Temple Mount platform. One of those, Patrich says, preserves a vestige of the Temple that stood until it was destroyed by Rome in A.D. 70.

The cistern mapped by Wilson, approximately 15 feet wide, 170 feet long and 45 feet deep, was located near the Temple Mount's southeast corner. It was oriented in a southeasterly direction with branches extending north and south.


"Until now no one has ever thought that the location of the cistern on the Temple Mount and its unique shape were derived from the shape and location of the altar and sanctuary," Patrich told YNetNews.


Patrich's reconstruction of Temple in 1st century A.D., facing northeast. Courtesy Hebrew University. (Drawing by Leen Ritmeyer)

According to the archaeologist, this cistern is the only one found on the Temple Mount that corresponds to descriptions in the Jewish Mishnah – the rabbinic oral tradition compiled in the 3rd century A.D. – of daily purification and sacrificial duties carried out by the priests on the altar in the Temple courtyard.

The Mishnah says water was drawn by a waterwheel mechanism from a cistern and held in a large basin, or laver, for daily purification by the Temple's priests before they ascended the nearby ramp to the altar to offer sacrifices.


Patrich's reconstruction of Temple in 1st century A.D. overlaid on modern Temple Mount. Octagonal feature is Dome of the Rock. Diagram is oriented east up. Courtesy Hebrew University. (Drawing by Leen Ritmeyer)

Patrich believes the placement of the waterwheel and laver can be reconstructed from Wilson's map of the giant southeast-trending cistern and from that, the location of the altar and the Temple itself.

Patrich's siting has the Temple further east and south of locations proposed by other scholars and diagonal, rather than perpendicular to the Temple Mount's eastern and western walls. It also leaves the rock in the Dome of the Rock outside of the confines of the Temple itself.

Patrich said his research on the Temple's location is strictly academic, and political connotations should not be attributed to it.
...............................................benny

AL-OIC-NAM delegation meets Ban, Burian over Aqsa Mosque

POL-UN-AQSA-DELEGATION
AL-OIC-NAM delegation meets Ban, Burian over Aqsa Mosque

UNITED NATIONS, Feb 9 (KUNA) -- An Arab-Islamic-NAM delegation late Friday met with Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and the Security Council President Peter Burian of Slovakia to urge them to take immediate action regarding Israel's continued excavation works beneath the Holy Aqsa Mosque.

The delegation was headed by Kuwait Ambassador Abdullah Al-Murad, in his capacity as Chairman of the Arab Group, Agshin Mehdiyev of Azerbaijan, as Chairman of the Islamic group, Rodrigo Diaz of Cuba, as Chairman of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), and Abdul Wahab of the OIC.

The delegation also included the ambassadors of Palestine, Morocco, as Chairman of the Quds Committee, Senegal, as Chairman of the Palestinian Rights Committee, and Qatar and Indonesia, as members of the council.

Following the meetings, Murad told KUNA that he insisted in his discussions with Ban and Burian that this is a "dangerous matter" and that this is not the first time Israel commits such acts.

He said he also recalled the 2002 Arab peace initiative in Beirut and drew attention to the upcoming Arab Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in late March when this issue will be raised.

He expressed hope that the Secretary General assumes his responsibility in order to deter Israel from its destructive work.

He claimed that while the Palestinians were meeting in Makkah in order to find a solution to their crisis, Israel was busy taking measures 'to provoke' the feelings of the Arab and Muslim world.

Ban told the delegation, according to Murad, that US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and EU Foreign Policy Chief Javier Solana will raise the issue with the Israeli authorities.

Ban told the delegation that he was following the events closely and that it would not be acceptable for any party to take any unilateral action in this regard. Al-Murad said council President Burian told the delegation that the issue is very "sensitive" and that he is looking forward to February 13 when the council will hold its monthly meeting to discuss the Palestine issue in general in an open session and noted that the list of speakers is already 'long'.

Burian told the delegation, according to Al-Murad, that this issue needs to be discussed by all parties concerned to calm down the situation. But the delegation responded that it is imperative for the council to put pressure on Israel, because it is the party acting unilaterally and in violation of council resolutions.

Other members in the delegation said they did not feel that Ban or the council President were willing to issue statements on the subject.

In the meantime, Palestinian envoy Ryadh Mansour protested, in identical letters to Ban and Burian, that Israeli forces did not respect the Muslim Holy sites in East Jerusalem and the Palestinians' right to worship.

He said the Israeli forces stormed the Aqsa compound and fired rubber bullets and tear gas on crowds of Palestinians who were barred from entering Aqsa courtyards, injuring 20 civilians.

He indicated that these actions occurred while a large number of Palestinians continued to peacefully protest against the "condemnable" excavation work Israel is carrying out beneath the Aqsa Compound.

This course of action, Mansour said in his letter, "is obviously another measure aimed at the judaization of the city, creating yet additional facts with regard to the holy city's status, thus adversely affecting the outcome of the final status negotiations." "Given the extremely important religious and spiritual nature of the issue, we call upon the Security Council to take the necessary steps to address this issue and to have the Israeli action halted and reversed immediately," Mansour wrote.(end) sj.

wsa
KUNA 101042 Feb 07NNNN


..........................................benny

Feb. 12, 2007 23:40 | Updated Feb. 12, 2007 23:58
Egyptian MP: Nothing short of nuke will 'work' with Israel
By JPOST.COM STAFF



Talkbacks for this article: 66

A member of the Egyptian Parliament from President Hosni Mubarak's ruling party said Monday that nothing short of a nuclear bomb would 'work' with Israel.

"That cursed Israel is trying to destroy al-Aksa mosque," Mohamed el-Katatny of Mubarak's National Democratic Party (NDP) told the Egyptian Parliament, adding "nothing will work with Israel except for a nuclear bomb that wipes it out of existence."

The harsh statement was uttered during a heated discussion of Israel's renovation of the Mughrabi walkway near the Temple Mount. Egyptian parliamentarians claimed that Israel was destroying the Al Aksa mosque.

During the session some parliament members urged a cancellation of all agreements with Israel saying the war between Egypt and Israel was continuing even though treaties were signed.

Israel and Egypt ended 30 years of war with an historic peace treaty in 1979 brokered by the United States between then Egyptian President Anwar al-Sadat and Prime Minister Menachem Begin.
........................................benny

Feb. 13, 2007 2:20 | Updated Feb. 13, 2007 2:36
Ruins discovered at Mughrabi site
By YANIV SALAMA-SCHEER



Talkbacks for this article: 4

As the controversy swirls around the construction of the new bridge leading to the Temple Mount at the Mughrabi Gate, archeologists have already uncovered finds from the medieval period and early Islamic era that shed new light on Jerusalem's history.

"We have dug three meters down and discovered massive walls which we believe are from the early Islamic Umayyad period," Jerusalem's chief archeologist Yuval Baruch said. "Because of its proximity to the Wohl Archeological Park, I personally hope to find the rest of the Umayyad palaces."

The archeological park currently has the only uncovered ruins of the Umayyad palaces which were destroyed in 749 CE by an earthquake. They were built in the eighth century as the seat for the Caliphate when visiting Jerusalem. The uncovered complex includes a harem for the caliph's wives, bathhouses, a kitchen, a dining area, and quarters for the caliph's family and servants. The palace also featured a bridge that allowed the caliphs direct access to the Aksa Mosque

Among the findings at the site currently being excavated for the rebuilding of the bridge to the Mughrabi Gate, the archeologists have found pipes belonging to a medieval water system, but for Baruch, "the most interesting find is that we have found the evidence which suggests that right under the Umayyad ruins are Byzantine ruins [135-638], and under these, we believe there are Herodian roads and other ruins from the Second Temple period."

"The main excavations of the Umayyad and Byzantine ruins at the Mugrabi area will begin in a couple of days, and if we are patient enough, in five or six months time we could find Second Temple period ruins" to add to what has already been discoved in the adjacent archelogical park, Baruch added.

The excavations in the archeological garden are taking place in three separate sites. There are two on the western side of the park and one site atop the bathhouses and ritual baths situated directly across Robinson's Arch, the bridge that connected the Temple complex to the markets. 4nd earth that line the steps descending down into the park from the road leading to the Dung Gate, but have already found pieces of pottery and other artifacts which have not been dated as of yet.

"We have uncovered pieces of Jerusalem's history," Baruch said, "but we are unsatisfied with the amount of archeological results in Jerusalem. We need to continue with our work so we can find out more of the history of these buildings which gives us more information."

Baruch also expressed concern that if the excavations stopped, the new ruins would be damaged if they are not immediately and properly salvaged.

The findings at the excavation site could pose a problem for the initial project to reinforce the Mugrabi bridge. The original plan would have seen pillars placed under the bridge for support.

Now, due to the findings, Baruch acknowledged that some re\planning might be necessary. "Before we know what exactly is in the area, no matter what we find and no matter which historical period it comes from, we will need to find a new spot for the pillars of the bridge," Baruch said.

According to city hall officials, the Jerusalem Municipality will submit new plans for the Mughrabi Gate bridge leading to the Temple Mount, but work is scheduled to continue at the site.
............................................benny

FROM WND'S JERUSALEM BUREAU
Olmert 'caved to Muslims' on Temple Mount
Israeli PM criticized for approving plan for minaret, but not synagogue

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted: February 12, 2007
10:40 a.m. Eastern


By Aaron Klein
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com


Temple Mount
JERUSALEM – Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's decision to allow Muslims to construct a massive minaret on the Temple Mount will embolden the enemies of the Jewish state and signal that violence and terrorism are working, according to a group of prominent rabbinic leaders in Israel.

The Rabbinical Congress for Peace, a coalition of more than 300 Israeli rabbinic leaders and pulpit rabbis, said in a statement today Olmert "does not have the moral or historic right to hand over even one inch of Israeli territory to foreigners."

"The mere fact of giving up sovereignty of the Temple Mount – the holiest site of the Jewish People – is an indication of how far the Israeli government has deteriorated and is prepared to forfeit Jewish rights and ownership of Israel granted in our holy Torah, the most authoritative book in the world," the rabbis said.

The rabbis were responding to a story first reported by WND that Olmert granted permission to Jordan to construct a large minaret at a site on the Temple Mount where Jewish groups here had petitioned to build a synagogue.

(Story continues below)


A minaret is a tower usually attached to a mosque from which Muslims are called to the five Islamic daily prayers.

There are four minarets on the Temple Mount. The new minaret will be the largest one yet. It will be the first built on the Temple Mount in more than 600 years and is slated to tower over the walls of Jerusalem's old city. It will reside next to the Al-Marwani Mosque, located at the site of Solomon's Stables.

Aryeh Eldad, a Knesset member from Israel's National Union party, last year drew up plans with Jewish groups to build a synagogue near the Marwani Mosque. The synagogue was to be built in accordance with rulings from several prominent rabbis, who said Jews can ascend the Mount at certain areas.

A top leader of the Waqf told WND Olmert's granting of permission to build the minaret in the synagogue's place "confirms 100-percent the Haram al-Sharif (Temple Mount) belongs to Muslims."

"This proves Jewish conspiracies for a synagogue will never succeed and solidifies our presence here. It will make Muslims worldwide more secure that the Jews will never take over the Haram al-Sharif," the Waqf official said.

Sources in the Jordanian monarchy and the Waqf told WND Olmert last month gave Jordan's King Abdullah official permission to build the minaret. The sources said the minaret will rise 130 feet above the ancient walls of Jerusalem.

A senior Olmert adviser confirmed to WND the Israeli prime minister told Abdullah he will allow the minaret's construction.

The adviser said he could not speak on the record because Israel has been waiting for an "opportune time" to officially announce permission for the new minaret.

The Rabbinic Congress for Peace said Olmert's allowing construction of the new minaret poses a "grave threat to the security of Israel. It will embolden the enemies of the Jewish state to believe their tactics of violence and terrorism are paying off and that Israel is in retreat."

"We have already witnessed in the past the use of the Temple Mount as a pretence to launch violence and murder Jews," the Rabbis stated.

The Temple Mount has long been used by Palestinians to start violence.

The Palestinian intifada that began in 2000 started with rock-throwing on the Temple Mount after then-candidate for prime minister Ariel Sharon visited the holy site.

The past few days, Muslim leaders worldwide have been criticizing Israeli renovation work near the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem to replace a ramp that provides access to a gate leading to the Mount. Muslim leaders claim Israel is trying to weaken the foundations of the Mount. The Israeli government contends the work, taking place in the Jewish Quarter outside the Temple Mount, poses no threat whatsoever to the Mount, but the mayor of Jerusalem yesterday postponed construction of the new gate.

In October, King Abdullah announced plans to build the fifth minaret, although at the time the Jordanians reportedly did not have Israel's permission to commence construction. Abdullah said the minaret would bear the symbol of the Jordanian monarchy.

The Temple Mount's first minaret was constructed on the southwest corner in 1278, the second was built in 1297 by order of a Mameluke king, the third by a governor of Jerusalem in 1329 and the last in 1367.

Prominent Israeli archeologist Gabi Barkai of Tel Aviv University slammed the new minaret plans.

"I am against any change in the status quo on the Temple Mount. If the status quo is being changed, then it should not just be the addition of Muslim structures at the site," Barkai said.

Rabbi Chaim Richman, director of the international department at Israel's Temple Institute, told WND Olmert's decision to allow the minaret "is repugnant to anyone who knows what it is to be a Jew."

"The decision and Israel's general attitude toward the Temple Mount is the manifestation of spiritual bankruptcy in the country's leadership. Olmert is turning his back on our Jewish heritage while the rest of the world looks at us with amazement at how we can be so insensitive to our own spiritual legacy."

Al Aqsa mosque built by angels?

The Temple Mount is the holiest site in Judaism. For Muslims, it is Islam's third holiest site.

The First Jewish Temple was built by King Solomon in the 10th century B.C. It was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 B.C. The Second Temple was rebuilt in 515 B.C. after Jerusalem was freed from Babylonian captivity. That temple was destroyed by the Roman Empire in A.D. 70. Each temple stood for a period of about four centuries.

The Jewish Temple was the center of religious Jewish worship. It housed the Holy of Holies, which contained the Ark of the Covenant and was said to be the area upon which God's "presence" dwelt. The Al Aqsa Mosque now sits on the site.

The temple served as the primary location for the offering of sacrifices and was the main gathering place in Israel during Jewish holidays.

The Temple Mount compound has remained a focal point for Jewish services over the millennia. Prayers for a return to Jerusalem have been uttered by Jews since the Second Temple was destroyed, according to Jewish tradition. Jews worldwide pray facing toward the Western Wall, a portion of an outer courtyard of the Temple left intact.

The Al Aqsa Mosque was constructed around A.D. 709 to serve as a shrine near another shrine, the Dome of the Rock, which was built by an Islamic caliph. Al Aqsa was meant to mark the place where Muslims came to believe Muhammad, the founder of Islam, ascended to heaven.

Jerusalem is not mentioned in the Quran. Islamic tradition states Muhammad took a journey in a single night from "a sacred mosque" – believed to be in Mecca in southern Saudi Arabia – to "the farthest mosque," and from a rock there ascended to heaven. The farthest mosque later became associated with Jerusalem.

Most Waqf officials deny the Jewish temples ever existed in spite of what many call overwhelming archaeological evidence, including the discovery of Temple-era artifacts linked to worship, tunnels that snake under the Temple Mount and over 100 ritual immersion pools believed to have been used by Jewish priests to cleanse themselves before services. The cleansing process is detailed in the Torah.

According to the website of the Palestinian Authority's Office for Religious Affairs, the Temple Mount is Muslim property. The site claims the Western Wall, which it refers to as the Al-Boraq Wall, previously was a docking station for horses. It states Muhammad tied his horse, named Boraq, to the wall before ascending to heaven.

In an interview with WND, Kamal Hatib, vice-chairman of the Islamic Movement, which will take part in the podium installation ceremonies, claimed the Al-Aqsa Mosque was built by angels and that a Jewish Temple may have existed, but not in Jerusalem. The Movement, which works closely with the Waqf, is the Muslim group in Israel most identified with the Temple Mount.

"When the First Temple was built by Solomon – God bless him – Al Aqsa was already built. We don't believe that a prophet like Solomon would have built the Temple at a place where a mosque existed," said Hatib.

"And all the historical and archaeological facts deny any relation between the temples and the location of Al Aqsa," he continued. "We must know that Jerusalem was occupied and that people left many things, coins and other things everywhere. This does not mean in any way that there is a link between the people who left these things and the place where these things were left."

Al Aqsa official: Jewish temples existed

Last June, in a widely circulated WND interview, a former senior leader of the Waqf contradicted his colleagues, saying he has come to believe the first and second Jewish Temples existed and stood at the current location of the Al Aqsa Mosque.

The leader, who was dismissed from his Waqf position after he quietly made his beliefs known, said Al Aqsa custodians passed down stories for centuries from generation to generation indicating the mosque was built at the site of the former Jewish temples.

He said the Muslim world's widespread denial of the existence of the Jewish temples is political in nature and not rooted in facts.

"Prophet Solomon built his famous Temple at the same place that later the Al Aqsa Mosque was built. It cannot be a coincidence that these different holy sites were built at the same place. The Jewish Temple Mount existed," said the former senior Waqf leader, speaking to WND from an apartment in an obscure alley in Jerusalem's Old City.

The former leader, who is well known to Al Aqsa scholars and Waqf officials, spoke on condition his name be withheld, claiming an on-the-record interview would endanger his life.

He told WND "true" Islamic tradition relates the Jewish temples once stood at the site of the Al Aqsa Mosque.

"[The existence of the Jewish Temple at the site is obvious] according to studies, researches and archaeological signs that we were also exposed to. But especially according to the history that passed from one generation to another – we believe Al Aqsa was built on the same place were the Temple of the Jews – the first monotheistic religion – existed."

He cited samples of some stories he said were related orally by Islamic leaders:

"We learned that the Christians, especially those who believed that Jesus was crucified by the Jews, used to throw their garbage at the Temple Mount site. They used to throw the pieces of cotton and other material Christian women used in cleaning the blood of their monthly cycle. Doing so, they believed that they were humiliating, insulting and harming the Jews at their holiest site. This way they are hurting them like Jews hurt Christians when crucifying Jesus.

"It is known also that most of the first guards of Al Aqsa when it was built were Jews. The Muslims knew at that time that they could not find any more loyal and faithful than the Jews to guard the mosque and its compound. They knew that the Jews have a special relation with this place."

Temple Mount: No-prayer zone

Currently, even though the Jewish state controls Jerusalem, the Waqf serve as the custodians of the Temple Mount under a deal made with the Israeli government that restricts non-Muslim prayer at the site.

The Temple Mount was opened to the general public until September 2000, when the Palestinians started their intifada by throwing stones at Jewish worshipers after then-candidate for prime minister Ariel Sharon visited the area.

Following the onset of violence, the new Sharon government closed the Mount to non-Muslims, using checkpoints to control all pedestrian traffic for fear of further clashes with the Palestinians.

The Temple Mount was reopened to non-Muslims in August 2003. It still is open but only Sundays through Thursdays, 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., and not on any Christian, Jewish or Muslim holidays or other days considered "sensitive" by the Waqf.

During "open" days, Jews and Christian are allowed to ascend the Mount, usually through organized tours and only if they conform first to a strict set of guidelines, which includes demands that they not pray or bring any "holy objects" to the site. Visitors are banned from entering any of the mosques without direct Waqf permission. Rules are enforced by Waqf agents, who watch tours closely and alert nearby Israeli police to any breaking of their guidelines.

.............................................benny

Yeah, doesn't it amaze you how people want you to think wrong is right, and want you to think their upside-down world is really upright?!?! It just astounds me, but we know what's still coming, how the whole world will line up against Israel. I'm so glad God is in charge!

Me, too, Shy 1! One of my church members used to be in the Air Force and stationed at missile silos. He tells me of being questioned about his ability to fire nukes while being a minister. He would flatly tell them that he had no problem doing as ordered UNLESS ordered to strike Israel. That he would not do. Without exception, his CO's agreed with him. That is one comforting thought. That even if the politicians go mad, perhaps some in the military would restrain them in some way.

Apparently the muslims don't realize that there won't be any mosques left after the tribulation! Get off Israeli land! Argh! I know the Lord is in charge, I sometimes have a hard time remembering that when we see these things that we are to rejoice, for He is coming soon.

In Christ, Angela

Feb. 18, 2007 13:07 | Updated Feb. 19, 2007 19:15
Room at Mughrabi under examination
By JPOST STAFF AND AP



Talkbacks for this article: 56

The Israel Antiquities Authority on Sunday denied an earlier report that the site of the Israeli archaeological dig at the Mughrabi Gate near Jerusalem's Temple Mount contained a Muslim prayer room.

An Israel Antiquities Authority spokesman told The Jerusalem Post that "we did in fact find room three years ago but we didn't have permission to dig at the site. Now that we have permission, we are going to try and identify what this room is."

Muslim leaders and critics of the work had said the announcement of the find confirmed their fears that the authority was intent on hiding Muslim attachment to the site.

Israel began work nearly two weeks ago on the Mughrabi ramp leading to the Temple Mount.

Israel says the project is needed to repair damage to the ramp caused by a 2004 snowstorm, and the dig won't affect Muslim holy sites on the nearby hilltop compound. However, Muslim leaders accuse Israel of plotting to destroy Islamic holy places.

The spokesman denied that Jerusalem district archaeologist Yuval Baruch had released a statement in which he described the ruins that were discovered after the snowstorm three years ago as containing an alcove covered with a dome, a kind of Muslim prayer niche.

The spokesman denied that Baruch had told the The Associated Press that the authority decided not to reveal the existence of the room sooner since it still is not clear what it was. He said finds in and around the room need further research before authorities can say exactly what the room was used for.

Adnan Hussein, chairman of the Muslim council that oversees affairs at the holy site had expressed anger that Israel withheld news of the discovery for three years. "We didn't hear anything about this," he said. "They are always hiding things."

The archaeological dig is taking place about 60 meters away from the Temple Mount.

The renovation has sparked nearly daily protests by Palestinians, and generated fierce criticism from throughout the Muslim world. There has been no serious violence so far, but the site has been the focus of deadly fighting in the past and its status constitutes one of the main obstacles in Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.
...................................................benny

Feb. 19, 2007 17:59 | Updated Feb. 19, 2007 18:00
UN panel to probe Israel on holy sites
By ASSOCIATED PRESS



Talkbacks for this article: 5

A United Nations anti-racism panel has questioned Israel's policy on preserving holy sites, asking the country to explain whether it protects places considered sacred to religions other than Judaism.

Israel is expected to go later this week before the panel of 18 independent experts overseeing compliance with the United Nations' 38-year-old anti-racism treaty - a hearing that could fuel the debate over the recent excavations outside the Temple Mount compound.

"To date, approximately 120 places have been declared as holy sites, all of which are Jewish," the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination said in its list of questions, written before the recent furor over the construction project.

Israel - whose quadrennial review was postponed in August because of the Lebanon war - is to appear before the panel on Thursday and Friday to answer the questions, which include whether it "has set forth regulations in relationto holy sites of both the Jewish and non-Jewish population."

Two weeks ago, archaeologists from the Israel Antiquities Authority began the salvage dig ahead of the construction of a new pedestrian walkway up to the disputed compound.

"Most holy places are also considered as antiquities sites," Israel said in 2005 submission to the panel, arguing that Muslim sites are still protected under its law.

The Jewish state referred in the 124-page report to a pending High Court decision over whether the government was required to offer Muslim holy places the same status as Jewish religious sites. Nevertheless, it said several existing statues protect holy places by requiring excavation, drainage, sewage and demolition projects to first seek government permission if they are near religious sites - Jewish or non-Jewish.

The archaeological dig is taking place about 60 yards away from the al-Aksa Mosque and Dome of the Rock - an area considered the third-holiest in Islam.

It is also Judaism's holiest site, having housed the biblical Jewish temples. Jews have gathered for centuries to pray outside the compound at the Western Wall. Post comment | Terms


.......................................benny

Temple Mount Re-Opened to Jews

by Hillel Fendel


(IsraelNN.com) Israeli excavation works at the Rambam (Mughrabi) Gate ramp - leading from the Western Wall plaza to the Temple Mount - evoked Arab rioting and criticism of Israel by Arab leaders. Despite Israeli explanations and photos showing that the work had nothing to do with the Temple Mount, Arabs continue to accuse Israel of attempting to destroy the mosques at the site. The instigation came to a climax 12 days ago, when dozens of Arabs and police were injured in rock-throwing clashes and rioting.

Now that calm has been restored in the area, and in the wake of strong pressure by Jewish groups, the police have once again opened the Temple Mount to Jewish visitors. The hours are as restricted as before: between 7:30 and 10:30 in the morning, and between 12:30 and 1:30 in the early afternoon. At other times, Jews continue to be forbidden to frequent the holy site.


Rabbis are split over whether Jews are permitted to ascend to the site of the Holy Temples - the site the Torah considers to be the holiest in the world. All agree that there are areas on the Mount that are forbidden for entry to those who are impure - namely, everyone, until the Parah Adumah (Red Heifer) purification ceremony can be performed. However, some rabbis say that because the precise location of those areas is not entirely clear, and because of the fear that some Jews might not even care to find out, the entire Mount area must be forbidden for public entry.


Other rabbis say that following careful research and based on archaeological evidence, the forbidden areas can be mapped out, and that proper Jewish-legal precautions, including immersing in a ritual bath before visiting, can and must be taken to prevent errant wandering. These rabbis feel that there is an important national/religious value in visiting the site and perpetuating Jewish national bonds with the site, as opposed to abandoning it to the Moslems.


The monthly "March Around the Temple Mount Gates," which is held every Rosh Chodesh (the first day of each Hebrew month), was canceled by police earlier this week, at the beginning of the month of Adar. This, despite - or because of - the fact that thousands of Jews were expected to show up.


As a result, however, a large amount of public pressure was brought to bear by MK Uri Ariel and the Temple Mount organizations. The police then permitted an alternate event this past Sunday evening. Hundreds of Jews who managed to find out of the change in plans showed up outside the Southern Wall of the Temple Mount.



Foreign media often confuse the Western Wall with the Mount it supports, thus giving more credence to Moslem claims than Jewish ones.
Kiryat Arba's Chief Rabbi Dov Lior, Chairman of the Yesha Rabbis Council and a leading Halakhic source on Temple Mount matters, told the assembled, "The increase of terrorism and anti-Semitism in Israel and around the world stems from our neglect of and weakness regarding the Temple Mount. The fact that the Mount is closed whenever our enemies begin threatening, and that the hours in which we may ascend are so limited, and that we may not pray there or build a synagogue - all this reflects weakness and lack of Jewish control over the most sacred site to the entire Jewish nation."

Regarding Moslem claims that the Jews are planning to rebuild the Temple, Rabbi Lior said, "I wish this was the case... Plans should be made and the public should be prepared for the building of the Third Temple."

The Mount, not the Wall

He emphasized that the sanctity of the Western Wall, which surrounds and supports the Temple Mount area in which the Holy Temple was built and will be rebuilt, is "tens of times less than that of the Mount itself. This must be understood within the Jewish public, and first and foremost, within the religious public."

Rabbi David Dudkevich of Yitzhar also addressed the crowd, musician Ariel Zilber provided musical entertainment, and a giant video screen showed an exhibit regarding historic Jewish rights to the Temple Mount, and pictures showing how the Mount looked, looks and will look in the future.

Foreign media often confuse the Western Wall with the Mount it supports, thus giving more credence to Moslem claims than Jewish ones. BBC, for instance, in a photo-report on the area posted today, writes, "The Temple Mount or Haram al-Sharif is the most important religious site in Jerusalem. Its Western Wall is the holiest site in Judaism."

In another report, Reuters refers to "the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest site."

Two days ago, however, an AP report corrected this impression by writing that the Mount is "Judaism's holiest site, having housed the biblical Jewish temples." The report adds, "Jews have gathered for centuries to pray outside the compound at the Western Wall, a remnant of the ancient compound."

............................................benny

February 28, 2007
Sanhedrin seeking to revive ancient Temple rituals
by Michael G. Mickey
(2-28-07)

As I said at the end of our nightly broadcast on TalkProphecy.com Radio last night, "If nothing else, tomorrow will bring us one day closer to the day when we will see Jesus face-to-face." As it turns out, however, today has brought more than that as the headline above suggests!

As seen in a Haaretz article, the present-day Sanhedrin is seeking to revive ancient Temple rituals! The story opens as follows:

The present-day Sanhedrin Court decided Tuesday to purchase a herd of sheep for ritual sacrifice at the site of the Temple on the eve of Passover, conditions on the Temple Mount permitting.

The modern Sanhedrin was established several years ago and is headed by Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz. It claims to be renewing the ancient Jewish high court, which existed until roughly 1600 years ago, and meets once a week.
The prophetic tie-in? If the Sanhedrin resumes ancient Jewish sacrifice rituals near the Temple Mount, it demonstrates there are a number of Jewish people who are longing more and more to make a religious return to the Temple Mount and this plays right into what Bible prophecy tells us is going to come, as foretold by Jesus Christ Himself in Matthew 24!
Matthew 24:15-22:

When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)

Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:

Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:

Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.

And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!

But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:

For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
Daniel's prophecy is one which will, in the prophetic future, see the Antichrist, approximately 3 and one-half years after the Church was Raptured and he confirmed peace in the Middle East "with many" (Daniel 9:27), enter a Holy Temple of the Jews that will be standing. Upon entering the Temple and desecrating it, he will end the daily sacrifice the Sanhedrin is trying to revive TODAY (Daniel 12:11). This act on the part of the Antichrist will officially mark the start of the second half of the Tribulation Period which we commonly refer to as the Great Tribulation.

Is Jesus Christ coming soon? As I continue to document to the glory of the great God and our Savior, Jesus Christ, it certainly appears so! The prophetic stage leading up to the Rapture of the Church and the visible, physical, bodily return of Jesus Christ at Armageddon is being set all about us!

If you're a Christian today, a wellspring of hope should be flowing in your soul, giving you the strength to press on a little longer and to witness your faith a little stronger!

Luke 21:28: And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.............................benny

'Renew animal sacrifices on Mount' says radical rabbi


Member of Sanhedrin says sacrifices 'were not possible when the people of Israel were in the Diaspora, but now they are.' Adds: Jerusalem Temple should be rebuilt, Israeli government standing in our way

Yaakov Lappin Published: 03.01.07, 19:49 / Israel News




Animal sacrifices should be renewed on the Temple Mount, a member of the radical Sanhedrin organization told Ynetnews.


In ancient Israel and Judea, the Sanhedrin served as the highest court in the land, and was made up of 71 top judges. Now, a group of מודעה



fringe rabbis say they have reformed the group, although the organization has received no recognition from Israel's official religious authorities.


"In the Torah there are around 200 commandments dealing with animal sacrifices," said Rabbi Dov Stein, of the Sanhedrin organization. "The Torah of Israel demands animal sacrifices. When the people of Israel were in the Diaspora, it couldn’t be done. But now, there is the supreme institution, the Sanhedrin, made up of experts, and it can be done. The new Sanhedrin, like the old, will educate the people of Israel on how to keep and safeguard the Torah."


'Democracy was not invented today'

Stein vowed that "we will try to carry out animal sacrifices on the Temple Mount this Passover, as commanded by the Torah."



Asked if his organization sought to rebuild the third Temple, Stein's answer was unequivocal. "We want to establish the Temple again. Unfortunately, standing in our way is a hostile regime, the Israeli government, and rabbis who for political interest don't want this to happen."


Stein even suggested that Muslims would agree to the project, saying: "The Omar Mosque (the Dome of the Rock), built by Khalif Omar, was actually intended to safeguard the site for the Jews. Islam hasn't always been so hostile. Despite its hatred and massacres against us, Islam sees in Judaism a source and a guide. I think the moment will come that Muslims understand the need to build the Temple and go along with us."


Stein outlined his plan for Israel, calling for a king to be appointed democratically. "Democracy was not invented today, the king is elected from a list of candidates. A senior judge, as was done during the days of the judges, can also be appointed," he added.


However, such practices ended 2000 years ago, Rabbi Doniel Hartman was quoted by the Associated Press as saying.


"Around that time, animal sacrifice, as a mode of religious worship, stopped for Jews, Christians and Muslims," said the rabbi from the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem, according to AP. "Moving back in that direction is not progress," he added.


According to mainstream Jewish thought, animal sacrifices must not be carried out outside of Temple, which itself cannot be rebuilt by human endeavor, but will be rebuilt upon the arrival of the messiah.



.......................................benny

These scritures on the abomination of Desolation suggest it will happen some time in the future, as an end time prophecy.

Daniel 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
Daniel 11:31 And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate.
Daniel 12:11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.
Matthew 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
Mark 13:14 But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:

The times for the abomination of desolation are very interesting and of lots of speculation.

JPost.com » Israel » Article


Apr. 5, 2007 12:56 | Updated Apr. 5, 2007 13:02
Protestors head for Temple Mount
By JPOST.COM STAFF



Members of the Temple Mount and Land of Israel Faithful Movement arrived at the Kotel Thursday in order to prepare for their Pessah demonstration, in hope of entering the Temple Mount to conduct holiday prayers.

Demonstrators dressed in orange and gripping national flags arrived at the Mughrabi Gate late in the morning.

Police have been deployed throughout the area and are preparing for sudden outbreaks of aggressive action.

Meanwhile, hundreds of observant Jews have gathered at the Kotel to listen to Birkat HaCohamin (the priest's blessing).

Police are allowing entrance to the Old City only for those holding authorized entrance permits.


.............................................benny

A Godly Historical Circle was Closed at this Moment

The Temple Mount and Land of Israel Faithful Movement made on April 5th, 2007 for the first time since the Temple was destroyed by the Romans in the year 70 CE the Pesach pilgrimage to the southern Hulda Gates of the holy Temple Mount, carrying the "omer" through their gates to the Temple Mount as an offering to the G-d of Israel exactly as He called us to do in His Word. The harvest "omer", which is the first harvest cut from the fields of Israel was cut by the Faithful Movement in the fields of Israel exactly as the G-d of Israel commanded us.

Left to right: The harvest looks very nice as it was grown on the holy blessed ground of Israel.
Gershon and Ze'ev are carrying one group of the 'omer' from the fields of Israel.

The southern gates of the Temple Mount were called since the time of the First Temple the Hulda Gates. They were built by King Solomon around the year 1000 BCE and were rebuilt and remodeled by King Herod during the years 91 BCE to 2 CE. These gates were in the First and the Second Temple the main entrance of the Israeli pilgrims to the Temple Mount on their way to worship in the Temple. These major gates to the Temple Mount were called by the name of the prophet Hulda, that was one of the most important prophets of Israel. She prophesied at the time before the building of the First Temple and was very much appreciated and beloved by the people of Israel.

Left to right: The Faithful on their way to the Temple Mount.
The Levites are playing the Psalms of Pesach Festival.

Jerusalem of the First Temple age, since the time of King David, was located on the southern downward slope of the Temple Mount. The Temple was built and placed on the top of Mount Moriah while the City of David was below the peak of the mountain which is very steep. The pilgrims had to walk on their feet all the way on the steep mountain from the very deep valley of the City of David to the peak of the mountain where the Temple was located. This is the reason that the walking up of the pilgrims to the Temple was called "pilgrimage", when they did it on the three major festivals of Pesach, Shavout and Succoth, exactly as the G-d of Israel commanded them to do three times a year at these festivals: "Thrice in the year shall all your males appear before the Lord God, the God of Israel. For I will cast out the nations before you, and enlarge your borders; nor shall any man desire your land, when you shall go up to appear before the Lord your God thrice in the year" (Exodus 34).

The City of David, and on top of the mountain we can see the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock.

As we see the G-d of Israel promised His people that nobody will have even a desire to take from them the land of Israel that He gave them in an eternal covenant if they will make this pilgrimage to His holy mountain three times a year in the three major festivals. Unfortunately, now when the leadership of Israel is too weak politically and spiritually and do not have the vision and could not trust this Word of G-d to rebuild His holy Temple and to renew the worship in the house of G-d and the pilgrimage three times a year, so many nations, powers, and especially the Islamic nations have a deep desire for the land of Israel given by G-d to His people Israel only. As we see they did not stop to fight against Israel with an intention to take from the people of G-d the Promised Land. The Temple Mount and Land of Israel Faithful Movement is preaching and making for many years a campaign for the immediate rebuilding of the Temple which will fulfill on one hand the call of G-d to our generation to rebuild His house on Mount Moriah and on the other hand will avoid the desire of so many powers and nations to rob from Israel the land and will establish a real godly peace in the holy land of Israel and all over the world. The pilgrimage of the Faithful Movement on Pesach 2007 was an important part and stage of this historical campaign.

Left to right: Buildings discovered inside the original wall of the City of David from the First Temple age.
The Faithful at the original Siloam Pool of the City of David where the pilgrims used to baptize before their assent (pilgrimage) to the Temple Mount.

It was one of the most exciting views in the biblical times when many, many thousands or even millions of Israeli pilgrims walked, families, families with their children, from the City of David especially, up to the Temple Mount through the Hulda Gates. They were dressed with special beautiful biblical garments, mainly with white colored garments which reflected purity, to honor the G-d of Israel that His Shekinah dwelled in the Holy of Holies of the Temple. They carried in their hands the first portion of the harvest that they cut from their fields and carried it to the Temple as an offering to their beloved G-d and Creator. The harvest was taken to the priest that lifted it on the alter before G-d as an offering of the family. Giving the first cut harvest on Pesach and Shavout (on Shavout also the first fruits from the trees), had a special exciting significance. The meaning was: Give the first fruits of your ground to the G-d of Israel before you take fruits that you worked on them for yourself. By this way you gave thanks and love to G-d Who gave you food, bread, fruits and blessed you by giving you your living. It was the request from the G-d of Israel Himself to His people Israel to show their love to Him in this exciting way: "And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, Speak to the people of Israel, and say to them, When you come to the land which I give to you, and shall reap its harvest, then you shall bring a sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest to the priest; and he shall wave the sheaf before the Lord, to be accepted for you; on the next day after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it" (Leviticus 23: 9-11).

Left to right: The Faithful are cutting the first harvest "omer" from the fields of Israel.
The harvest looks very fruitful, blessed by the G-d of Israel.

Just recently was discovered during the archeological excavations in the City of David an exciting discovery. It was in the biblical times the main street from below the City of David up to the southern gates of the Temple Mount. On this way walked the pilgrims and the Israeli worshippers up to the Temple Mount carrying on their hands the offerings and the sacrifices to the G-d of Israel. This was an incredible discovery (I shall write another special article that will share this incredible discovery from the biblical era). The pilgrims of the Temple Mount Faithful Movement were so excited just to think that on the steps of this street walked their forefathers and millions of Israelis up to the Temple Mount in the biblical times on their way to worship in the Temple of the G-d of Israel.

The central street in the City of David from where the pilgrims used to walk up to their worship in the Temple Mount after they baptized in the Siloam Pool.

The Temple Mount and Land of Israel Faithful Movement renewed this exciting event of the biblical times when we walked on Pesach 2007 with the "omer" offering on our hands on the same steps to the southern Hulda Gates of the Temple Mount to bring it to the G-d of Israel. The Shekinah of G-d never moved from the Temple Mount even after the destruction of the Temple until today. Never before since the destruction of the Second Temple Israelis walked on these steps with the "omer" offering in their hands and it had a special significance in the history of Israel at this time. It was another major step towards the building of the Third Temple and an important stage in the campaign and work of the Temple Mount and Land of Israel Faithful Movement on her way to rebuild the end-time Temple of G-d.

Left to right: Robert from the United States is blowing the two silver trumpets, that were reconstructed by the Faithful Movement for worship in the Third Temple, during the ceremony of the "omer" offering in front of the southern wall and gates of the Temple Mount.
The original steps to the southern gates of the Temple Mount. The Faithful in front of the gate ready to start the "omer" ceremony. On the left side on the top of the picture we can still see the original arch of the southern gate that has survived until today.

Left to right: Gershon is leading the ceremony of the "omer" in front of the southern gates of the Temple Mount. On his side we can see the priest and behind him the model of the Temple.
The Faithful with the "omer" in front of the southern wall and the model of the Temple with some of the "omer".

The southern Hulda Gates of the Temple Mount are still blocked. The Muslims blocked them after their occupation of the land of Israel, Jerusalem and the Temple Mount in the 7th century CE. When we came with the "omer" offering to the five Hulda Gates we could still see a part of the beautiful arch on one of the gates and the frames of the other gates. We still could find and see the heavy huge Herodian stones on the southern wall of the Temple Mount. We could touch with our own hands and hearts these holy stones of the Temple Mount that our forefathers built and touched. We could close our eyes and see in the eyes of our spirit the Israeli pilgrims walking up from the City of David to the holy mountain of G-d on their way to show their love to the G-d of Israel in His holy house and to feel His love to them and His touch on their hearts. Despite that we could not enter through the blocked Hulda Gates to the Temple Mount we felt that the G-d of Israel, His Shekinah, came out of the Temple Mount to welcome us in front of His holy mountain and to encourage us on our godly historical campaign to rebuild His house and open the gates for His people Israel. We felt His presence so strongly among us and so deeply in our hearts. We swore before G-d, when we made the ceremony of the "omer" offering, that we shall not rest day and night until His house is rebuilt and until He will again dwell among His people Israel and this time among all His creation all over the world exactly as He asked us to do in His holy Word: "And let them make me a Temple; that I may dwell among them" (Exodus 25:8). We felt that a major historical circle was closed when we heard and felt the great prophetic Word of G-d to His people Israel by the prophets Isaiah and Micah to be heard by all mankind and to be fulfilled in the life of our end-time generation:
"The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it. And many people shall go and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths; for from Zion shall go forth Torah, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among the nations, and shall decide for many people; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, nor shall they learn war any more. But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid; for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken it" (Isaiah 2: 1-4 and Micah 4:1-4).

Left to right: The Faithful put the "omer" offering on the blocked gates of the southern wall praying for giving the "omer" next year to the G-d of Israel in the rebuilt Temple.
One of the groups of the Faithful Movement are waving like the other groups on the other side of the wall the "omer" before the G-d of Israel (the priest used to do it on the alter in the Temple).

The Temple Mount and Land of Israel Faithful Movement is deeply committed and anointed to bring to pass this prophetic Word and vision of the G-d of Israel in our lifetime. Only the removing of the enemy of the G-d and the people of Israel (and as we see now it is also the enemy of all mankind), the purification of the Temple Mount and the rebuilding of the Temple of G-d to be a house of prayer, worship and love, will bring a real peace to Israel and all the world (see the above godly vision of the prophets Isaiah and Micah).

The Israeli excavations under the bridge that Israel is going to build to the western gate of the Temple Mount which has recently raised Arab opposition. However, the Israeli Government did not surrender to the Islamic violence and continues the excavations to discover our biblical history as a beginning for the next step: To build a bridge to the western gate of the Temple Mount.

The Temple Mount Faithful Movement called at this special event on the government of Israel to immediately open all the Hulda Gates for pilgrims and worshippers to be again the main entrance to the holy Temple Mount of G-d. This should be the first stage and after it will come the other stages as mentioned above.

Everyone in Israel and all over the world is called at this special godly time when the kingdom of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is rebuilt by Israel and the Faithful Movement, in the land of Israel, to stand with Israel and the Faithful Movement and to help them on their great godly campaign to bring it to pass in our lifetime and to fulfill the expectations of G-d from our generation.

.............................................benny

May 19, 2007
A Rebuilt Holy Temple In 2008?
by Michael G. Mickey
(5-19-07)

A reader of my site, Robert Jackson, picked up on this little gem of information contained in a Haaretz article:

Rabbi Zalman Melamed, the head of the Beit El Yeshiva and a leader among West Bank rabbis, said, "Next year we will all go up freely to the Temple, which will be built, with the ashes of the red heifer, without disagreement and without questions."
Talk about BIG NEWS where Bible prophecy is concerned! If Melamed's words are true, the news is about as big as it gets!

In Bible prophecy, we're told that the Antichrist to come is going to enter a rebuilt Holy Temple of the Jewish people at the midpoint of the seven-year Tribulation Period to come in what is commonly referred to as the abomination of desolation, one description of which is found in Daniel 9:27:
And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make [it] desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.


There is so much information contained in this one prophetic verse of scripture!

The 'he' spoken of is the Antichrist. It is the Antichrist who will confirm (or make strong) a covenant of peace in the Middle East seven precise years in length. It is important that we note that he is the one who will confirm a covenant of peace in the troubled Middle East, not necessarily the one who will author said covenant. His confirmation of peace will be supported by a group of many. The "many" could be the Arab League, the international Quartet or a yet-to-be-formed group. We just don't know.

At the midpoint of the seven-year covenant's duration, which will run concurrently with the prophesied seven-year Tribulation Period and be preceded by the Rapture of the Church, the Antichrist is going to declare himself to be god, enter a rebuilt Holy Temple and end the Jewish people's sacrificing of animals in accordance with their Old Testament-defined practices, and, thus, desecrate it. For this to occur, in fulfillment of Bible prophecy, the 3rd Holy Temple must be built --- and now we're hearing that it will be in 2008.

If the comments by Rabbi Zalman Melamed are true, Christians, the following is advisable:
Fasten your faith, lock your eyes in the upright position, and get ready to fly, potentially very soon!

Posted by Michael G. Mickey at 9:47 AM
........................................benny

...they have the red heifer...and they are so ready to begin the sacrifices again....

Yep! We are getting ever close to the ac being revealed.

I'm looking upward. LORD come Quickly!