DOCSLIB.ORG

The Palestine Exploration Fund in the Holy City

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Palestine Exploration Fund in the Holy City DISCOVERING JERUSALEM: THE PALESTINE EXPLORATION FUND IN THE HOLY CITY Felicity Cobbing, P.E.F. 100 Years of PEF Exploration in Jerusalem: 1860’s - 1970’s The Ophel or “City of David” The Old City & Temple Mount Dean Arthur Penhryn Stanley Sir George Grove View of Jerusalem from the South East. (James Clark R.I., 1896) Catherwood’s plan of the Haram al-Sharif, Drawn in 1833 and published by James Fergusson in 1847 Edward Robinson Edward Robinson Robinson’s Arch on the South Western Wall of the Enclosure Wall (Sgt. James MacDonald R.E., 1864) Fergusson’s Reconstruction of the Monuments of the Temple Mount Prior to the Islamic Period An Original plan of the Haram Al-Sharif by Ermete Pierotti Charles Melchior de Vogue’s reconstruction of the Herodian Temple Captain Charles Wilson R.E. in 1868 Plan of The Haram Al- Sharif published in the Ordnance Survey of Jerusalem in 1865 Wilson’s Arch as shown on the Ordnance Survey Plan Watercolour of the Interior of Wilson’s Arch (William Simpson, 1869) Original drawing showing the level of the dead sea in relation to the Mediterranean sea as observed by the Royal engineers of the ordnance survey of Jerusalem, 1864-5 Three photographs from the ordnance survey of Jerusalem (Sgt. James MacDonald R.E.) right: The Haram Al-Sharif & the Temple Platform Left: View of The church of the Holy Sepulchre over The Pool of Hezekiah Bottom: The Ecce Homo Arch General Sir Charles Wilson The Church of St. John the Baptist at Samaria (Sgt. Henry Phillips, R.e., 1865-6) View of the Mount of Olives from the Prussian Hospice (James Clark R.I., 1896) Lieut. Charles Warren R.E. (left)& other explorers, including his Photographer Sgt. James Phillips R.E., (Right)in Jerusalem in 1867. Watercolour from the Warren Expedition by William Simpson, 1869. n Detail of Fergusson’s reconstruction of the Temple Mount with the Dome of the rock interpreted as the surviving rotunda of the church of the holy Sepulchre, and the Jewish Temple situated to the south-western end of the Temple Platform,where the Mugrabi Mosque and Al-Aksa Mosque now stand. Drawing by William Simpson showing Warren’s method of exploration in Jerusalem Jerusalem Street scene (James Clark R.I., 1896) Original plans showing the Locations of the shafts in ‘Area G’ to the south of the Temple Mount and in the north eastern corner of the temple platform and beyond Original and published drawings of cisterns and structures below the surface of the Haram al-Sharif as Observed by Charles Warren Warren’s published plans showing the contours of the underlying rock beneath the Temple platform ‘Bahr El Khebir', or ‘The Great Sea’: The great cistern beneath the temple Mount William Simpson, 1869 View of the Temple Mount taken from the Western Hill, showing the Dome of the Rock, the Western Wall, the Mugrabi Quarter, Robinson’s arch, and the Mugrabi and Al-Aksa Mosques. (Robertson & Beato, 1857 - 1862) “Fallen Voussiors beneath Robinson’s Arch” (William Simpson, 1871) Henry Birtles descends into the unknown… tunnels constructed by warren and his team during their explorations around the temple Mount (William Simpson, 1867-71) Tunnel beneath the via dolorosa. (William Simpson, 1869) Warren’s drawing of his adventures in the sewers with Henry Birtles View looking north along the Tyropoeon Valley before its excavation to its current levels. (John Garstang, 1920) a rough Sketch by warren showing the south wall of the temple platform and the underlying bedrock Warren’s finished contour plan of the Temple Mount Warren’s sketch of the south wall of the temple platform Fergusson's Reconstruction plan of the temple mount Photograph of Robinson’s Arch Warren’s reconstruction of a (James Graham, 1853 - 1860) Staircase extending from Robinson’s arch Warren’s reconstruction of the staircase extending from Robinson’s arch A reconstruction of the Herodian temple mount, including the staircase extending from Robinson’s arch, as confirmed by archaeological excavations (Bahat 1996) Descent down into the water system (William Simpson, 1869) Original plan showing the location of ‘warren’s shaft’ Modern reconstructions of the Gihon spring water system based on recent excavations (BAR 1999) Original plan showing the location of ‘warren’s shaft’ Original drawings of finds from the late iron age (7th century BC) to the Islamic Periods from Jerusalem Original and published drawings of ‘lmlk’ jar handles from warren’s excavations “Rock-cut cistern under Robinson's arch, Jerusalem” (William Simpson, 1871) “Rock cut conduit under Robinson's arch, Jerusalem” (William Simpson, 1871) General Sir Charles Warren.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Israel and Judah: 18. Temple Interior and Dedication
    Associates for Scriptural Knowledge • P.O. Box 25000, Portland, OR 97298-0990 USA © ASK, March 2019 • All rights reserved • Number 3/19 Telephone: 503 292 4352 • Internet: www.askelm.com • E-Mail: [email protected] How the Siege of Titus Locates the Temple Mount in the City of David by Marilyn Sams, July 2016 Formatted and annotated by David Sielaff, March 2019 This detailed research paper by independent author Marilyn Sams is one of several to follow her 2015 book, The Jerusalem Temple Mount Myth. Her book was inspired by a desire to prove (or disprove) Dr. Ernest Martin’s research in The Temples That Jerusalem Forgot. Ms. Sams wrote a second book in 2017, The Jerusalem Temple Mount: A Compendium of Ancient Descriptions expanding the argument in her first book, itemizing and analyzing 375 ancient descriptions of the Temple, Fort Antonia, and environs, all confirming a Gihon location for God’s Temples.1 Her books and articles greatly advance Dr. Martin’s arguments. David Sielaff, ASK Editor Marilyn Sams: The siege of Titus has been the subject of many books and papers, but always from the false perspective of the Jerusalem Temple Mount’s misidentification.2 The purpose of this paper is to illuminate additional aspects of the siege, in order to show how they cannot reasonably be applied to the current models of the temple and Fort Antonia, but can when the “Temple Mount” is identified as Fort Antonia. Conflicts Between the Rebellious Leaders Prior to the Siege of Titus A clarification of the definition of “Acra” is crucial to understanding the conflicts between John of Gischala and Simon of Giora, two of the rebellious [Jewish] faction leaders, who divided parts of Jerusalem 1 Her second book shows the impossibility of the so-called “Temple Mount” and demonstrate the necessity of a Gihon site of the Temples.
    [Show full text]
  • Sacred Architecture of the Rock : an Inno- Vative Design Concept and Iconography in Al-Aqsa Mosque
    Milel ve Nihal, 14 (2), 2017 doi:10.17131/milel.377618 Sacred Architecture of the Rock : An Inno- vative Design Concept and Iconography in Al-Aqsa Mosque Haithem F. AL-RATROUT ∗ Citation/©: Al- Ratrout, Haithem (2017). Sacred Architecture of the Rock: An Innovative Design Concept and Iconography in Al-Aqsa Mosque, Milel ve Nihal, 14 (2), 49-73. Abstract: The religious sanctity and symbolisms of the Sacred Rock in Islam has been a frame of reference for inspiration of the architect who established a building over it in the early Islamic period. His challenging task was to generate an architectural archetype based on idea and concept in architec- ture vivid with sacredness and reflecting the religious symbolism of the place. Nowhere can this be true as Qubbet al-Sakhrah (the Dome of the Rock); an Islamic masterpiece which is considered to be the utmost achievement of the Umayyad Islamic religious art and architecture in the late seventh century C.E. It is evident that the architect of the Sacred Rock was very successful in dealing with the site when establishing an attracta- ble mature building that is dominating the skyline of the al-Aqsa mosque and the city of Islamicjerusalem alike. In addition to the Umayyad reli- gious objective in establishing this sacred building, another important goal was achieved which reinforced their political power and Islamic sover- eignty over the city. Indeed, Qubbet al-Sakhrah is a memorable building that commemorates the Sacred Rock and is full of religious feelings. It has, visually, strong impact on observers as its form and function recalls both of the archetype of Makkah and Islamicjerusalem and their religious experience.
    [Show full text]
  • A Guide to Al-Aqsa Mosque Al-Haram Ash-Sharif Contents
    A Guide to Al-Aqsa Mosque Al-Haram Ash-Sharif Contents In the name of Allah, most compassionate, most merciful Introduction JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ<<<<3 Dear Visitor, Mosques JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ<<<<<4 Welcome to one of the major Islamic sacred sites and landmarks Domes JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ<<<24 of civilization in Jerusalem, which is considered a holy city in Islam because it is the city of the prophets. They preached of the Minarets JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ<<<30 Messenger of God, Prophet Mohammad (PBUH): Arched Gates JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ<<<32 The Messenger has believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and [so have] the believers. All of them have believed in Allah and His angels and Schools JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ<<<36 His books and His messengers, [saying], “We make no distinction between any of His messengers.” And they say, “We hear and we obey. [We seek] Your Corridors JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ<<<<44 forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the [final] destination” (Qur’an 2:285). Gates JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ<<<<46 It is also the place where one of Prophet Mohammad’s miracles, the Night Journey (Al-Isra’ wa Al-Mi’raj), took place: Water Sources JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ<<<54 Exalted is He who took His Servant
    [Show full text]
  • Mamluk Architectural Landmarks in Jerusalem
    Mamluk Architectural Landmarks 2019 Mamluk Architectural in Jerusalem Under Mamluk rule, Jerusalem assumed an exalted Landmarks in Jerusalem religious status and enjoyed a moment of great cultural, theological, economic, and architectural prosperity that restored its privileged status to its former glory in the Umayyad period. The special Jerusalem in Landmarks Architectural Mamluk allure of Al-Quds al-Sharif, with its sublime noble serenity and inalienable Muslim Arab identity, has enticed Muslims in general and Sufis in particular to travel there on pilgrimage, ziyarat, as has been enjoined by the Prophet Mohammad. Dowagers, princes, and sultans, benefactors and benefactresses, endowed lavishly built madares and khanqahs as institutes of teaching Islam and Sufism. Mausoleums, ribats, zawiyas, caravansaries, sabils, public baths, and covered markets congested the neighborhoods adjacent to the Noble Sanctuary. In six walks the author escorts the reader past the splendid endowments that stand witness to Jerusalem’s glorious past. Mamluk Architectural Landmarks in Jerusalem invites readers into places of special spiritual and aesthetic significance, in which the Prophet’s mystic Night Journey plays a key role. The Mamluk massive building campaign was first and foremost an act of religious tribute to one of Islam’s most holy cities. A Mamluk architectural trove, Jerusalem emerges as one of the most beautiful cities. Digita Depa Me di a & rt l, ment Cultur Spor fo Department for e t r Digital, Culture Media & Sport Published by Old City of Jerusalem Revitalization Program (OCJRP) – Taawon Jerusalem, P.O.Box 25204 [email protected] www.taawon.org © Taawon, 2019 Prepared by Dr. Ali Qleibo Research Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • The Temple Mount/Haram Al-Sharif – Archaeology in a Political Context
    The Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif – Archaeology in a Political Context 2017 March 2017 Table of contents >> Introduction 3 Written by: Yonathan Mizrachi >> Part I | The history of the Site: How the Temple Mount became the 0 Researchers: Emek Shaveh Haram al-Sharif 4 Edited by: Talya Ezrahi >> Part II | Changes in the Status of the Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif 0 Proof-editing: Noa Granot from the 19th century to the Present Day 7 Graphic Design: Lior Cohen Photographs: Emek Shaveh, Yael Ilan >> Part III | Changes around the Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif and the 0 Mapping: Lior Cohen, Shai Efrati, Slava Pirsky impact on the Status Quo 11 >> Conclusion and Lessons 19 >> Maps 20 Emek Shaveh (cc) | Email: [email protected] | website www.alt-arch.org Emek Shaveh is an Israeli NGO working to prevent the politicization of archaeology in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and to protect ancient sites as public assets that belong to members of all communities, faiths and peoples. We view archaeology as a resource for building bridges and strengthening bonds between peoples and cultures. This publication was produced by Emek Shaveh (A public benefit corporation) with the support of the IHL Secretariat, the Federal Department for Foreign Affairs Switzerland (FDFA) the New Israeli Fund and CCFD. Responsibility for the information contained in this report belongs exclu- sively to Emek Shaveh. This information does not represent the opinions of the above mentioned donors. 2 Introduction Immediately after the 1967 War, Israel’s then Defense Minister Moshe Dayan declared that the Islamic Waqf would retain their authority over the Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif compound.
    [Show full text]
  • Rise of Islam – 610CE – 700CE Muhammad C. 570 CE
    Rise of Islam – 610CE – 700CE Muhammad c. 570 CE – 8 June 632 CE was an Arab religious, social and political leader and the founder of Islam. According to Islamic doctrine, he was a prophet, sent to present and confirm the monotheistic teachings preached previously by Adam, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and other prophets. He was heavily influenced by the Jewish faith from the large Jewish population in his home town of Mecca. He is viewed as the final prophet of God in all the main branches of Islam. Muhammad united Arabia into a single Muslim polity, with the Quran as well as his teachings and practices forming the basis of Islamic religious belief. He is referred to by many appellations, including Messenger of Allah, The Prophet Muhammad, Allah's Apostle, Last Prophet of Islam. Born about 570 CE in the Arabian city of Mecca, Muhammad was orphaned at the age of six. He was raised under the care of his paternal grandfather and his uncle. When he was 40, Muhammad reported being visited by Gabriel in the cave, and receiving his first revelation from God. Three years later, in 610, Muhammad started preaching these revelations publicly, proclaiming that "God is One", that complete "submission" (islām) to God is the right way of life, and that he was a prophet and messenger of God, similar to the other prophets in Islam. The followers of Muhammad were initially few in number, and experienced hostility from Meccan polytheists. He sent some of his followers to Abyssinia in 615 to shield them from prosecution, before he and his followers migrated from Mecca to Medina in 622.
    [Show full text]
  • The Marwani Musalla in Jerusalem
    Bridgewater State University Virtual Commons - Bridgewater State University Art Faculty Publications Art Department 2013 The aM rwani Musalla in Jerusalem: New Findings Beatrice St. Laurent Bridgewater State University, [email protected] Isam Awwad Virtual Commons Citation St. Laurent, Beatrice and Awwad, Isam (2013). The aM rwani Musalla in Jerusalem: New Findings. In Art Faculty Publications. Paper 8. Available at: http://vc.bridgew.edu/art_fac/8 This item is available as part of Virtual Commons, the open-access institutional repository of Bridgewater State University, Bridgewater, Massachusetts. The Marwani Shortly after Caliph ‘Umar ibn al- Khattab’s (579-644, caliph 634-644) Musalla in arrival in Jerusalem in 638, he is said to Jerusalem: have constructed a rudimentary mosque 1 or prayer space south of the historical New Findings Rock now contained within the Dome of Beatrice St. Laurent the Rock (completed 691) on the former and Isam Awwad Temple Mount or Bayt al-Maqdis known popularly since Mamluk and Ottoman times as the Haram al-Sharif.2 (Fig.1) Though later textual evidence indicates that ‘Umar prayed somewhere south of the “rock” and later scholars suggest that he constructed a rudimentary prayer space on the site, there is no surviving physical evidence of that initial structure. After his appointment as Governor of Syria (bilad al-sham) by ‘Umar in 639/40, Mu‘awiya ibn Abi Sufyan (602-680, caliph Figure 1: Air view of the Haram al-Sharif from 660-680)3 either expanded upon the Mosque the north showing the eastern area of the Haram al-Sharif. Source: Matson Collection, Library of of ‘Umar or constructed an entirely new Congress.
    [Show full text]
  • Jerusalem: a Holy City
    Learning about Jerusalem Credits https://www.123rf.com/photo_47303873_unidentified-jewish-worshipers-pray-at-the-wailing-wall-an-important-jewish-religious-site- jerusalem.html http://clipart-library.com/jew-symBol-pics.html http://religious-symBols.net/islam-symBols.html https:// stickeroid.com/?q=Quran%20Clipart https://pixabay.com/en/photos/dome%20of%20the%20rock/ https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/israel/2018/february/jerusalem-shelves-tax-plan-on-church-owned-commercial-properties http://worldartsme.com/scripture-christian-clipart.html#gal_post_77715_scripture-christian-clipart-1.jpg Jerusalem: A Holy City Jerusalem, the capital city of Israel, is considered a holy city by three major religions: Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. For centuries, Jerusalem has been a spiritual center. The three religions can be seen in the cultural landmarks (human made buildings that represent an idea or specific place) of Jerusalem and in the symbols used around the world to represent these religions. All three religions describe Abraham as an important figure in their early history. Muslims (followers of Islam) call Abraham, Ibrahim. Abraham and his family were nomads. They lived in tents and traveled from place to place in order to provide good grazing for their sheep. Abraham and his people are believed to have traveled in what is now the country of Israel, as well as areas that are now part of Syria, Turkey, Jordan, and Iraq. All three religions describe Abraham as the father of two sons, Isaac and Ishmael. Jews consider Isaac to be their ancestor, and Arabs consider Ishmael to be their ancestor. Jesus, whom Christians believe to be the son of God, lived in this area also.
    [Show full text]
  • The Temple Mount in Jerusalem - a View of the Areas That Are Closed to the Public Photos & Edit: Ron Peled 2008
    The Temple Mount in Jerusalem - A view of the areas that are closed to the public Photos & Edit: Ron Peled 2008 www.feelJerusalem.com The Temple Mount is open to tourist, but only for an excursion around the open plaza Entrance to the al-Aqsa Mosque, the Dome of the Rock, Solomon's Stables and other sitesbelow the Mount itself, are off limits to any non-Muslims. So, let's go in… The structure of the Dome of the Rock is called, in Arabic, Qubat al-Sakhra (which is not the Mosque of Omar, and in fact, not a mosque at all.). It was built in 691 by the Caliph Abd al-Malik (who founded the first Arab town in Israel – Ramla), and is believed to be the oldest and most intact Muslim structure in the Middle East. The interior of the dome is gilded and adorned with beautiful art Gold… The rock in the center of the structure is called the Foundation Stone. According to the Jewish and Muslim faiths, this is where the world was founded. It is where Abraham nearly sacrificed his son Isaac (Mount Moriah), it is where the very center of the Temple, the Holy of Holies, was located (give or take a few feet – but who’s counting?) and according to Islam, from this very place, Mohammad ascended to heaven. According to Islamic tradition, from this very place, Muhammad ascended to Heaven accompanied by the angel Gabriel Below the Foundation Stone is a cave where, according to tradition, Mohammad prayed. The pillars seen in the picture are of secondary use, from the Crusade period when the Templar Knights lodged at the temple mount The Mihrab at the entrance to the cave is in honor of King Solomon and is probably one of the first prayer niches in the Muslim world The al-Aqsa Mosque, above the southern wall of the Temple (Hulda Gates) was first built at the beginning of the 8th century by the Caliph al-Walid.
    [Show full text]
  • Jerusalem and the Temple Mount Status Quo What You Need to Know
    Jerusalem and the Temple Mount Status Quo What You Need to Know Background: The Status Quo Arrangement The Temple Mount / Noble Sanctuary in JerusalemJerusalemJerusalemJerusalem is the holiest site in Judaism and third holiest in Islam. Two Jewish Temples have stood on the site, which is believed to be the place where Abraham almost sacrificed Isaac. It has served as a major symbol of Jewish identity towards where Jews have prayed throughout the millennia. Muslims, who refer to Jerusalem as “al-Quds” (the holy place), believe the holy site to be the spot where Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven from the rock which the Dome of the Rock currently envelops. The Noble Sanctuary comprises the Dome of the Rock and the venerated Al Aqsa mosque. Following Israel’s capture of the Temple Mount during the 1967 SixSixSixSix Da DaDaDayyyy W WWWarararar, the government handed day-to-day control of the area to the Muslim Waqf religious authorities, overseen by the Jordanian government. Israel retains security control of the area. Fifty years later, this policy, known as the “status quo”, continues to be the policy of the Israeli government. While many Jews believe it is forbidden to ascend to the Temple Mount for religious purity reasons, the Waqf forbids Jews from praying while on the Mount, a situation that is controversial among some Israeli Jews who believe it is their right to have full access to their holy site. 1 / 5 In recent years, there have been accusations among Palestinians and across the Muslim world of a conspiracy by Israel to “Judaiz“Judaiz“Judaiz“Judaizeeee”””” Jerusalem JerusalemJerusalemJerusalem, particularly the Temple Mount.
    [Show full text]
  • Jerusalem As Palimpsest the Architectural Footprint of the Crusaders in the Contemporary City
    114 Verhoeven Chapter 5 Jerusalem as Palimpsest The Architectural Footprint of the Crusaders in the Contemporary City Mariëtte Verhoeven Latin Crusaders captured Jerusalem on 15 July 1099, after Pope Urban’s call at the end of 1095 for the First Crusade.1 Latin domination of Jerusalem lasted until 1187 when Sultan Saladin captured the city. Although Latin rule was re- established for short periods between 1229 and 1239, and between 1241 and 1244, it was in the twelfth century that the Crusaders executed an extensive building campaign that aimed at the redefinition of the city’s Christian topog- raphy. Crusader architecture is mostly viewed as an isolated phenomenon with distinguishing stylistic and formal characteristics. In the first studies of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, Crusader architecture was typified by French scholars as French Romanesque but, later, Byzantine and local Eastern influences were also acknowledged.2 As is often the case in architectural his- tory, research into the Crusader period focuses on the reconstruction of the original shape of buildings and not on their afterlife and continuous transfor- mation. In descriptions of the buildings, later additions and transformations are omitted while the captions of photographs of buildings in their current form mention only the original building dates. In his study on Crusader Jerusa- lem, Adrian Boas remarks that ‘in appearance, the Old City of Jerusalem is still essentially a medieval city[…] with the exception of the Jewish Quarter, which has been largely rebuilt since 1967, the city is very much as it appeared nine hundred years ago and a visitor from the twelfth century would probably not 1 The generic term ‘Crusaders’ refers to a heterogeneous group of Christians from all over Latin Western Europe and from every level of society who participated in the Crusades.
    [Show full text]
  • Temple Mount/Haram Al-Sharif
    Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif Old City of Jerusalem Temple Mount: not a mountain The first thing to know about Temple Mount is that it’s not a mountain. It’s an elevated plateau in Jerusalem, covering approximately 35 acres. 2 Dome of the Rock, Al-Aqsa Mosque, Western Wall Temple Mount contains three sacred sites: Dome of the Rock (green arrow), Al-Aqsa Mosque (purple arrow), and the Western Wall (blue arrow). It also contains a sacred rock, which you’ll hear more about in the Dome of the Rock presentation. 3 Sacred to 3 world religions • Jews • Christians • Muslims For Jews, Temple Mount occupies the sites of first and second temples (see next two slides). 4 Temple Mount in the First Century This is a model of the Second Temple. It was completed in 515 BCE, but was renovated and expanded by Herod the Great in approximately 20 BCE. You can see Herod’s retaining walls clearly in this image. 5 Temple Mount in the First Century The holiest spot in the temple compound was the Holy of Holies... 6 The Holy of Holies was so sacred holy that only the high priest of the temple could enter, and even he entered only one day a year (on Yom Kippur, the holiest of Jewish holidays). According to Jewish and Christian tradition, the Holy of Holies was originally built to house the Ark of the Covenant, the chest that held Moses’ stone tablets, on which God had inscribed the Ten Commandments. 7 Sacred to 3 world religions • Jews • Christians • Muslims ● Who can summarize why Temple Mount is sacred to Jews? ● For Christians, Temple Mount is sacred because it’s a place where Jesus would have visited.
    [Show full text]