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Guest Post: The Tragedy And Majesty Of The Temple Mount: A Tour

On the ramp on the way to the Temple Mount. Rabbi Jacob Richman leads the way.
On the ramp on the way to the Temple Mount with Americans for a Safe Israel (AFSI). Rabbi Chaim Richman leads the way.
At the top of the ramp, always prepared with Riot Gear.
At the top of the ramp, always prepared with riot gear.
The riot gear. Looking down at the Kotel courtyard.
The riot gear.
Looking down at the Kotel courtyard.
First view upon entering the Mount. I think we had more guards than there were people in our group.
First view upon entering the Mount. I think we had more guards than there were people in our group.
We had lots and lots of protection...
We had lots and lots of protection…
Behind us is the entrance.
Behind us is the entrance.
As we walked out, this was to our right. Columns from the 2nd Temple.
As we walked out, this was to our right. Columns from the 2nd Temple.
This area with the columns was to our right.
More Second Temple columns.
If you look very close, you can still see traces of the gold that covered these columns from the Second Temple. All that is left after the scavengers have removed the gold.
If you look very close, you can still see traces of the gold that covered these columns from the Second Temple. All that is left after the scavengers have removed the gold.
The view to the left. This woman, Sarah comes to ascend to Har HaBayit every day for the past 30 years or so, not that she is always allowed entry. She lives in the Old City, Jerusalem, capital city of Israel
The view to the left.
This woman, Sarah comes to ascend to Har HaBayit every day for the past 30 years or so, not that she is always allowed entry. She lives in the Old City, Jerusalem, capital city of Israel
Moving ahead, the Dome is to our left.
Moving ahead, the Dome is to our left.
Secular visitors to ?? ???? - The Temple Mount do not get their own group of guards...
Secular visitors to ?? ???? – The Temple Mount – do not get their own group of guards…
You know how you always see photos of Arab children playing soccer on the Mount? This is the soccer "field."
You know how you always see photos of Arab children playing soccer on the Mount? This is the soccer “field.”
The Official Har HaBayit Soccer Team on the Official Soccer Field. Their ball mysteriously kept flying our way. I was told that these things sticking up are part of the water system, originally set up by David haMelech.

The Official Har HaBayit (Temple Mount) Soccer Team on the Official Soccer Field. Their ball mysteriously kept flying our way.
I was told that these things sticking up are part of the water system, originally set up by David haMelech (King David).
Sitting on the wall under the trees, is the Official Har HaBayit Cheerleader Squad who are paid very well to scream at Jewish visitors to Har HaBayit. They were too lazy to move off their perch, and only screamed at us from afar.
Sitting on the wall under the trees, is the Official Har HaBayit Cheerleader Squad who are paid very well to scream at Jewish visitors to Har HaBayit. They were too lazy to move off their perch, and only screamed at us from afar.
At the Temple Mount.
At the Temple Mount.
Behind Rabbi Richman, through the slit, you can see Har HaZeitim.
Behind Rabbi Richman, through the slit, you can see Har HaZeitim (Mount of Olives).
Facing towards Shaar HaRachamim.
Facing towards Shaar HaRachamim (Gate of Mercy).
This rubble is from the Second Temple.
This rubble is from the Second Temple.
Peering over wild brush, ruins of the Second Temple, to the Dome.
Peering over wild brush, ruins of the Second Temple, to the Dome.
Columns and other ruins from the Second Temple.
Columns and other ruins from the Second Temple.
This is the way the women would enter the Temple.
This is the way the women would enter the Temple.
Yep, another guard, standing above the structure built to block Shaar HaRachamim.
Yep, another guard, standing above the structure built to block Shaar HaRachamim.
And here it is, the real treasure up here. In that corner down there, under rugs and tarps, is wood from the FIRST TEMPLE!! The Cedars of Lebanon. So nice how they take care of it???
And here it is, the real treasure up here. In that corner down there, under rugs and tarps, is wood from the FIRST TEMPLE!! The Cedars of Lebanon. So nice how they take care of it???
Facing the Lion's Gate, where the soldiers entered in 1967 during the liberation of Jerusalem - Har HaBayit BiYadenu!
Facing the Lion’s Gate, where the soldiers entered in 1967 during the liberation of Jerusalem – Har HaBayit BiYadenu (The Temple Mount is in our hands)!
Guards abound. It's a pretty chill gig. We keep them employed....
Guards abound. It’s a pretty chill gig. We keep them employed….
A hard-working guard protecting us and making sure we do not utter words to Hashem. That's fellow AFSI member Rachel Novak. Dangerous-looking, isn't she?
A hard-working guard protecting us and making sure we do not utter words to Hashem. That’s fellow AFSI member Rachel Novak. Dangerous-looking, isn’t she?
This nice lady took my picture. Well, something like that.
This nice lady took my picture. Well, something like that.
Hard working Arabs playing shesh besh or whatever else they do smoking and sitting around all day up there. Oh, they do yell out an occassional 'allahu akbar' for us. Thoughtful?
Hard working Arabs playing sheshbesh (backgammon) or whatever else they do smoking and sitting around all day up there. Oh, they do yell out an occasional ‘allahu akbar’ for us. Thoughtful?
Guard stolling about but keeping us in our place and moving along at their desired pace.
Guard strolling about but keeping us in our place and moving along at their desired pace.
Beneath this dome....
Beneath this dome….
Other miscellaneous structures as we make our way to the western side of the Mount.
Other miscellaneous structures as we make our way to the western side of the Mount.
Looking at the Western side of the Dome of the Rock. The Holy of Holies is thought to be beneath that most western wall of the structure. Those arches are the closest one should get. Out guards keep us honest and make sure we keep our distance.
Looking at the Western side of the Dome of the Rock. The Holy of Holies is thought to be beneath that most western wall of the structure. Those arches are the closest one should get. Out guards keep us honest and make sure we keep our distance.
We are standing on the top of the original Western Wall of the courtyard.
We are standing on the top of the original Western Wall of the courtyard.
Non-Jews can walk freely, as you can see on the steps, with no guards at all.
Non-Jews can walk freely, as you can see on the steps, with no guards at all.
Our lovely green exit doors.
Our lovely green exit doors.
Leaving the holiest spot on earth.
Getting ready to leave.
Walking backwards from the holiest place on the entire planet. It's sad to leave.
Walking backwards from the holiest place on the entire planet. It’s sad to leave.
The other side of the green doors.
The other side of the green doors.
The only way out, through this "friendly" neighborhood.
The only way out, through this “friendly” neighborhood.
The green doors behind us...
The green doors behind us…
These two women are training the little girl to scream 'allahuakbar' at Jews as they depart from the Mount. Proud mama is filming. A man on the opposite wall told her I was taking her pic, and she swung around, but I caught this snapshot first.
These two women are training the little girl to scream ‘allahuakbar’ at Jews as they depart from the Mount. Proud mama is filming. A man on the opposite wall told her I was taking her pic, and she swung around, but I caught this snapshot first.
Entering the courtyard for the Kotel. The Kotel, just some insignificant retaining wall... Pathetic that THIS is where Jews think is the holiest place. Close but no cigar, as they say.
Entering the courtyard for the Kotel. The Kotel, just some insignificant retaining wall… Pathetic that THIS is where Jews think is the holiest place. Close but no cigar, as they say.
The author, Shifra Shifra, with Rabbi Chaim Richman on Har HaBayit
The author, Shifra Shifra, with Rabbi Chaim Richman on Har HaBayit

About the author

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