Temple Mount — Attraction in Jerusalem

The present site is a flat plaza surrounded by retaining walls (including the Western Wall) which was built during the reign of Herod the Great for an expansion of the temple. The plaza is dominated by three monumental structures from the early Umayyad period: the al-Aqsa Mosque, the Dome of the Rock and the Dome of the Chain, as well as four minarets. Herodian walls and gates, with additions from the late Byzantine and early Islamic periods, cut through the flanks of the Mount. Currently it can be reached through eleven gates, ten reserved for Muslims and one for non-Muslims, with guard posts of Israeli police in the vicinity of each.[3] According to the Bible, the Jewish Templesstood on the Temple Mount.[4] According to Jewish tradition and scripture,[5] the First Temple was built by King Solomon the son of King David in 957 BCE and destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BCE. The second was constructed under the auspices of Zerubbabelin 516 BCE and destroyed by the Roman Empire in 70 CE. Jewish tradition maintains it is here that a third and final Temple will also be built. The location is the holiest site in Judaism and is the place Jews turn towards during prayer. Due to its extreme sanctity, many Jews will not walk on the Mount itself, to avoid unintentionally entering the area where the Holy of Holies stood, since according to Rabbinical law, some aspect of the divine presence is still present at the site.[6] Among Sunni Muslims, the Mount is widely considered the third holiest site in Islam. Revered as the Noble Sanctuary, the location of Muhammad's journey to Jerusalem and ascent to heaven, the site is also associated with Jewish biblical prophets who are also venerated in Islam.[7] Umayyad Caliphs commissioned the construction of the al-Aqsa Mosque and Dome of the Rock on the site.[8]The Dome was completed in 692 CE, making it one of the oldest extant Islamic structures in the world. The Al Aqsa Mosque rests on the far southern side of the Mount, facing Mecca. The Dome of the Rock currently sits in the middle, occupying or close to the area where the Holy Temple previously stood.[9] In light of the dual claims of both Judaism and Islam, it is one of the most contested religious sites in the world. Since the Crusades, the Muslim community of Jerusalem has managed the site as a Waqf. The Temple Mount is within the Old City, which has been controlled by Israel since 1967. After the Six-Day War, Israel handed administration of the site back to the Waqf under Jordanian authority, while mantiaining Israeli security control.[10] It remains a major focal point of the Arab–Israeli conflict.[11] In an attempt to keep the status quo, the Israeli government enforces a controversial ban on prayer by...

You don't need to pray here to pray to God. God cannot be contained in a small building, the Temple, the Ark of the covenant were mere symbols of what was to come.

Just like God poured out his spirit to Moses and the 70 elders, God gave us his Holy Spirit. Now our bodies are the living temples of God. Only those who accept Yehoshua the Messiah will receive the gift of God's spirit.

No matter how much you pray here, it is an abandoned building to God. God is what made this place Holy, not the temple. His presence is not dwelling there, nor is it dwelling in Mecca.

As God promised Abraham, all the Nations will be blessed by your offspring. ( 1 offspring, not many) This offspring is the YHVH himself in the flesh. Also known as his title Jesus the Messiah, Yehoshua the Messiah.

Jesus Christ was fully man by the flesh of Mary and Fully God by the Spirit of God. The Spirit of God dwelt in the flesh.

God promised to King David, your son will be my Son... You will have a king forever. Jesus Christ is that eternal king.

Jesus Christ first came to free Israel from their sinful spiritual bondage. Jesus Christ lived a sinless life. He was a living Nazarite vow as described in the book of numbers.

Jesus Christ became our High Priest for us, never needing to sacrifice for himself, He offered himself as an atonement once in for all, to all who believe in Him. All who trust in Jesus Christ, are putting their hands on the head of the ultimate sacrificial lamb.

Jesus Christ destroyed the symbolic spiritual barrier from the Tabernacle, the curtain veil that separates the Holy place from the most Holy place. That veil was the symbolic separation of the sin that separated man from God.

Jesus Christ made a way for us through that barrier, a barrier only God himself can break. He paid it with His life.

Aaron as a High Priest could only enter once a year to intercede for the people in the most Holy place. In the symbolic Ark of the Covenant or Mercy Seat, that represented God's throne in Heaven.

Jesus Christ entered the real Holy of Holies, He is next to the Father interceding for us day and night.

This is why Jerusalem's temple was done away with good. Why the Leviticus atonements are done with.

Jesus Christ is the real bread of life, greater than the mana that Moses and the people ate that came from heaven.

Jesus Christ is God with us, Emmanuel.

The Messiah already came and defeated death and broke the chains that Sin has on all who believe in Him.

When Jesus Christ comes back again, it will to judge...

Temple Mount which is also known as Haram esh-Sharif is one of the holiest sites in the world. It is where you find some Jerusalem's most important and easily recognisable places such as the Western Wall and Dome of the Rock. Do check online to confirm opening days and hours when planing your visit here.

Historically, this was the location of the famed First and Second Temple, which loomed over ancient Jerusalem. Destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD, Jewish people have been waiting nearly two thousand years now for the rebuilding of the Temple.

After the Roman and Byzantine periods, the Temple Mount became a critically important location for the Muslim world as well. The Dome of the Rock shrine and the El-Aqsa Mosque were constructed during the late 7th and early 8th centuries during Omayyad period. You can see these attractions up close during visits to the Temple Mount. Muslims can enter the buildings for interior visits as well.

While there are several entrances to Haram esh-Sharif, non-Muslims must use the dedicated Moor Entrance (Gate of the Moors) which is south of the Western Wall. Viewing the Dome of the Rock, El-Aqsa Mosque as well as other points of interest, including the sealed Golden Gate, the Dome of the Chain and arched pillars and fountain seen amongst the grounds can be comfortably done in 30-45 minutes.

Note: You are just as likely to spend as much time in the queue to pass through security than actually sightseeing at the Temple Mount. The queue was quite long each time we passed by, including the day we visited. We arrived 15 minutes before opening time and found ourselves around in a queue that lasted just under 45 minutes after opening time.

In the end, this is essential sightseeing in Jerusalem for religious and non-religious visitors. Its worth allocating a couple of hours and visiting in the morning to make sure you've time to see the Temple Mount before making your way to other intended sightseeing in Jerusalem.

After visiting, you will exit the Gate of the Tribes at the northeast corner of the Temple Mount. From here you can conveniently exit the Old City at Lion's Gate and make way to the Mount of Olive attractions. Alternatively, you can start your visit of Via Dolorosa, tracing the last steps of Jesus. The first of the fourteen stations is just west of...