Our group arrived back at the David Citadel Hotel late Wednesday night after a wonderful day. Thursday morning kicked off with another fabulous breakfast.
Then we headed over to the Temple Mount hoping to be permitted access. The days and hours are strictly limited by the Moslems, who control the activities there. It was a day that a number of Bar-Mitzvahs were being celebrated there among the Jews. When a boy turns thirteen he celebrates that. There were musicians playing various instruments at different celebrations. I saw drums, clarinet, saxophone, and ram's horn.
We finally made it into the Temple Mount, with only minutes to spare before the entrance was closed to visitors. There, on top, was The Dome of the Rock. The Moslems feel like Abraham attempted to offer sacrifice of Ishmael there. Jews and Christians believe that Abraham was told by God to sacrifice Issac there. Solomon's temple as well as the second temple were built upon the mount. Nebuchadnezzar completely destroyed Solomon's temple. After the Babylonian captivity the second temple began to be rebuilt. Many years later Herod the Great trained 1000 priests as masons to help finish it. In A.D. 70 the second temple was completely destroyed fulfilling the prophesy of Jesus. The ultra-orthodox Jews won't visit the top of the mount because they're afraid they might step on the Holy of Holies. Our guide showed us exactly where he feels the Holy of Holies is. The group picture is right in front of the spot that our guide felt was the Holy of Holies. We also went to the Wailing Wall, so named because of the prayers and cries to Yahweh for restoration of the Temple, etc. It was a privilege to be able to pray at the wall, but it is an even greater thrill to know that we can call upon the God of heaven from any place in the world! Here is a pic of the Wailing Wall area. Let's pray for awakening and revival among the Jews! We owe much to the nation of Israel and the Jewish people.
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