#yerushalyim

[progressivejudaism]

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[progressivejudaism]

I recently found out that Jewish prayer has been illegal at the Temple Mount, but is the Western Wall considered a part of that? I started looking into it today so I'm really confused. How can Jewish prayer be illegal at the holiest Jewish site?

Hi there,

This is pretty strange, no?

There are many factors that play into this decision and I will try to be as concise as possible in answering.

Factor #1: Jewish LawAccording to some interpretations of Halacha (Jewish law), it is illegal for a Jew to even be on the Temple Mount / Noble Sanctuary until the Messiah comes. But many Jews disagree. Dati Leumi (Religious Zionists) who use Zionism to enhance their Jewish identity argue that we should rebuild the Third Temple and should have a presence on the Temple Mount/ Noble Sanctuary. More liberal Jews (namely the Reform and Conservative Movements) have chosen to take a more nuanced approach to the situation. Although it shouldn’t be against our understanding of Jewish Law to be or even pray on the Temple Mount, this doesn’t really matter to us. Islam has made a home atop the mount, and we care more about maintaining a positive political situation (and learning about it from atop the site) than wishing to spark any international wars.

Factor 2: The Political SituationThe Temple Mount / Noble Sanctuary is not maintained by the Palestinian Authority, but by the Jordanian Waqf and kind of by Israel in a situation that everyone involved refers to as the “status quo” (ie. nothing is to be changed atop the mountain). As of right now, only Muslims are allowed to pray and bring their symbols, holy books, holy items etc atop the site. Although Jews and Christians are allowed to visit through a different entrance during specific hours, they should be visiting as tourists and not worshipers.

One can argue that this is a major injustice to Jews and Christians- and I would have to agree with you. I believe that anyone and everyone should be able to pray and be themselves at this historic and beautiful site. But that being said, we need to look at the political situation for guidance in making what can be arguably an incorrect move on this crazy chess board. Both Intifadas (and the recent knife-intifada) began following rumors that Israel was changing the status quo on the Temple Mount. Israel always tends to be very careful in regard to maintaining the status quo- even if often many Muslim worshipers rightfully so are scared of losing their spiritual home.

Will we ever see shared prayer atop the Temple Mount / Noble Sanctuary? Gosh, I hope so. One day when we have real peace, I’m sure that we will see some of the most magical things in the world.

Until then, here are some links to inspire you :)

https://www.facebook.com/tagmeirisrael/

https://www.facebook.com/nasdaily/?fref=ts

Enjoy ! And let’s pray for peace!

PJ

[progressivejudaism]

The Rose Garden at Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion Jerusalem, Israel September, 2016

[girlactionfigure]

#OTD June 7th 1967 The #Liberation of #Jerusalem by the Israel Defense Forces  

[progressivejudaism]

Wanna talk about yum? 😍😍😍❤️❤️❤️😍😍😍

[thedustyscholar]

#ronironi #batzion #heriu #yisrael #simchivaltsi #bchol #lev #bat #yerushalyim 💕🎶 love this song 🎶💕 #rejoice rejoice #daughterofzion #shoutaloud #israel #sing rejoice #withallyourheart oh #Jerusalem 💕🎶💕🎶💕🎶💕🎶 💕#paulwilbur #messianic #messianicworship #worship #praise

[digsindirt-blog-blog]

45 years of undivided Yerushalyim

Took this picture in January of 2009 in Jerusalem. Was the first day I saw the city.

I saw a wonderful panorama of high res photography today celebrating the 45th anniversary of the reunification of Yerushalyim from the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs. It is well worth a look and well worth watching the video too, which makes for a strong case for the truth that dividing the city again will only lead to conflict, not peace.

Happy Yom Yerushalyim!

[digsindirt-blog-blog]

Camels are very meaningful for one friend of mine, and brutes for the rest of us. (Picture taken on Har Hazeitim in Yerushalyim, by me, August 2011)