The Temple Mount

One of the most iconic skylines in the world is the view of the Dome of the Rock from the Mount of Olives.  It is an amazing view that takes your breath away.  It was really hazy this day so it wasn't as beautiful as usual.

The Dome of the Rock covers the rock that is to believed to be the one Abraham was going to sacrifice his son Issac on.   Some Muslims believe he was going to sacrifice Ishmael.  It is also supposed to be the rock that Mohammed ascended from.  It is on the Temple Mount the place where the 1^st and 2^nd temple was and building the 3^rd temple is really important to the Jewish religion and they believe the coming of the Messiah is tied to the building of the 3^rd temple.  Right now the closest many Jews get to the temple mount is the Western Wall or Wailing Wall.  

Some Jews believe they can go up to the mount but just avoid the actual temple courtyard part, others don’t believe they can go up at all.  There is actually a sign on the entrance saying that it is against Torah law to go up there since they don’t know where the Holy of Holies was in the first temples and they are forbidden to step on it.

It is difficult to get on the Temple Mount.  It is under Muslim control and they are free to enter whenever they want from all gates.  Non Muslims can only go through one gate and it is only open for about an hour a day.  You have to get in line an hour before it opens and they just stop letting people in when they feel like it so people stand in line for hours and might not get in.  Our tour guide talked about how it is one way the Muslims try to keep people from coming on the Mount. There is no cover for the line so if it is really hot or raining or snowing it is really uncomfortable.  You have to go through security to get into the Wailing Wall area then even more security going to the Temple Mount.  You are not allowed to have any non Muslim religious symbols on you.  You have to be covered from neck to toes.  I had sleeves on to my elbows and they still made me put on a coat.  And it was HOT.  They allow Jews up but hassle them sometimes.  The bridge going up to it collapsed and they built a "temporary" wooden bridge.  It has been there for years.  The Israeli government wants to build a new bridge but the Muslims won't allow it because they feel it is a way for the Jews to start building the 3rd Temple. 

Our guide said we might encounter some shouting etc, but no real violence.   We were there ten minutes when many groups of Muslims started shouting, chanting, and were generally upset.  We looked around to see what caused it and then we saw Israeli soldiers on the Mounts.  Again, they are allowed to be there but are hassled like the Jews.  The soldiers were just visiting like any other tourist, but they stand out.  All soldiers have to carry their firearms everywhere even if they are going to and from work so they are all over the busses, streets etc with their weapons. 

Although the Dome of the Rock is the highlight for non -Muslims, the Al Aqsa Mosque is the third holiest site for Muslims and it is right next to the Dome.  The whole Mount area is like a park and is beautiful when sunny :)