December 05, 2024

This Western Wall of the Temple Mount is a Holy Site for Jewish Worshipers

Jerusalem Temple Mount View Jerusalem Temple Mount View © Eldadcarin | Dreamstime.com

The Temple Mount, situated in the Jerusalem’s Old City, is not only the center of Jewish sanctity but also the third most Holy place in Islam. Therefore, it has played a major role in the Arab-Israeli clash. There are eleven access points to the Temple Mount, only one of which is retained for non-Muslims

History

King Solomon constructed the First Temple at Temple Mount in 957 B.C., which was later demolished by the Babylonians. Thereafter, the Second Temple was built and then ultimately wrecked by the Romans in 70 C.E. The Western Wall is a relic of the Second Temple.

Jewish Significance

  • The Temple Mount is the most sacred site in Judaism. It is believed to contain the sanctuary in which God lived on the Earth, called Holy of the Holies. Jews even refrain from setting foot on the Mount Temple so as to avoid accidentally stepping on that place, since its exact location on the Mount is still unknown. Jews believe that the place still has some Holy presence. The spiritual gravity of the place is evident from the fact that the Jews face the Temple Mount whenever they pray, no matter what corner of the world they are in.
  • The Western Wall of Temple Mount is the only relic of the Second Temple that was demolished by the Romans in 70 C.E. and is considered to be the Wall located nearest to the Holy of Holies. Hence, praying before the Wall brings about greater blessings than praying elsewhere. When the Jews were exiled from Jerusalem, they would attempt to come to the Wall and pray at the possible expense of their lives.
  • Jews from around the world are encouraged to pay pilgrimage to the Wall and lament over the destruction of the Holy Temple that once stood there.
  • Not only do Jews physically pray before the Western Wall, but they also note their prayers on chits of paper which are folded and placed within the cracks of the Wall.

  

References:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Wall

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Temple

http://www.aish.com/h/9av/j/48961906.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_Mount#Islam

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Aqsa_Mosque

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Last modified on Saturday, 26 May 2018 19:16
Nathan Gopen

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Nathan Gopen is a professional software engineer and MIT graduate. He is committed to using his skills in software, multimedia and graphic design to create inspiring and powerful new ways of comprehending and studying the vast riches of God's Word.

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