The Temple Mount
A site of ancient history, palpable spirituality, and political controversy, the Temple Mount (known as Haram al-Sharif in Arabic), is sacred to both Jews and Muslims around the world.
The holiest place on earth according to Jewish tradition, the Temple Mount was home to the ancient Jewish Temples and has been the focal point of Jewish prayer and pilgrimage from biblical times until today. The third holiest site according to Islam, Haram al-Sharif is believed to be the place from which the prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven, home to the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
E-Learning
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An Introduction to the Dome of the Rock
Written by Dr. Elizabeth Macaulay-Lewis, an archaeologist and architectural historian, this article explains the history, design and political and religious significance of the Dome of the Rock. A thorough introduction
The Construction, Spiritual Significance & A 3D Virtual Tour of Solomon’s Temple
This lengthy video (16:30) is a dramatic, animated short film in which King Solomon describes to King Rehoboam, his son and successor, the construction, worship and significance of the First
The Babylonian Conquest and the Destruction of the First Temple
Produced by Megalim, the City of David Institute for Jerusalem Studies, this informative video (07:32) recalls the history of the Babylonian conquest of the Kingdom of Judah and the eventual
Virtual Tour of the Second Temple
This fascinating video (12:29)Â takes viewers on a virtual tour of an animated 3D reconstruction of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem following King Herod’s expansion project. Despite the poorly written onscreen
The Second Temple & its Destruction: A Look into the Psyche of Ancient Judaism
An except from Rabbi Irving Greenberg’s “The Jewish Way: Living the Holidays,” this article describes the unimaginable shattering of the Jewish people and way of life that resulted from the destruction
The Talmudic Tale of Kamtza & Bar Kamtza and the Destruction of the Second Temple
Created by Rabbi Jeremy Lawrence, this animated video (04:03) retells the famous Talmudic tale of Kamtza and Bar Kamtza as an example of the “baseless hatred” among the Jewish nation
The Roman Siege of Jerusalem and the Destruction of the Second Temple
Created by HistoryPod a daily “on this day” YouTube history channel, this brief video (02:44) recalls the Roman attack on Jerusalem, as part of the First Jewish-Roman War. With a historical and
The Ancient Significance of Mount Moriah
This article briefly lists some of the ancient biblical stories that allegedly took place on Mount Moriah (later known as the Temple Mount), according to Jewish tradition. Although the Torah
An Introduction to the Al-Aqsa Mosque
This informative article introduces the history and significance of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, located on the Haram al-Sharif, the third holiest site in Islam. (Photo credit:Â Richard Sevcik, Shutterstock)
The History & Significance of the Dome of the Rock in Islam & Judaism
Produced by Andrew Henry, a Ph.D student in Religious Studies and creator of the Religion for Breakfast YouTube channel, this informative video (09:40)Â explains the history of the Dome of the
What Was the Holy Temple?
Written by Rabbi Mendy Hecht for AskMoses.com, this thorough article describes the physical structure of the First and Second Temples, as well as their spiritual significance and centrality to Jewish
An Introduction to the Sacred Jewish Temples
Produced by Christian historian and author, Kelly Warman-Stallings, this video (08:11) provides an introduction to the history of the First and Second Temples based on the Hebrew and Christian Bibles
Jewish History from the Building of the First Temple through the Destruction of the Second Temple
This post presents four short, informative videos in which Jewish historian Rabbi Berel Wein explains the period of Jewish history from the building of the First Temple through the destruction of the Second
Interactive Virtual Tour of Haram al-Sharif
Produced by Al Jazeera, a state-funded Qatari news network, this interactive video (06:37) provides a detailed virtual tour of the Haram al-Sharif / Temple Mount Complex, including the Dome of the Rock,
Thorough Virtual Tour of Haram-Al Sharif
Created for AramcoWorld Magazine, which aims to broaden knowledge of the Arab and Muslim worlds, this link opens up a detailed, interactive virtual tour of the Haram al-Sharif / Temple
Solomon’s Stables
From the GoJerusalem City Guide website, this article describes the history and significance of Solomon’s Stables, a large underground space located beneath the southeastern corner of the Temple Mount. Widely
The Layout of the Temple Mount During the Crusader period
In this informal yet informative video (03:36), archaeologist Frankie Snyder draws a diagram and describes the the layout of the Temple Mount during the Crusader period and what happened afterward.
Photographs & Explanations of the Closed Sites of the Temple Mount
Compiled by Ron Peled of the All About Jerusalem city tour guide website, this 18-page document contains photographs and descriptions of some of the sites on the Temple Mount /
The History of Yom Kippur
This article from ReformJudaism.org presents the historical development of the focus and rituals of Yom Kippur, from its biblical origins as a day centered on the Temple services to a
Reenactment of the Biblical Shavuot First-Fruits & Twin Loaves Offerings
This 4-minute long video presents a reenactment of the first-fruit and twin loaves offerings, as they were performed in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem on the festival of Shavuot. Due to the
The Significance of the Temple Mount in Judaism, Islam & Christianity
In this simple video (05:10), archaeology student and Jerusalem tour guide, Nir Ortal, outlines the significance of the Temple Mount in each of the three Abrahamic religious, explaining when and
Six Reasons Why The Western Wall Is Holy
This article from Aish.com provides historical and spiritual reasons for why the Western Wall is a holy site in Jewish tradition. Among the explanations provided, Rabbi Shraga Simmons says that the Western Wall is the site
An Archaeological Approach to the Significance of the Western Wall & The Temple Mount
In this informative video (4:50), Ze’ev Orenstein, the Director of International Affairs at the City of David, presents the historical and biblical significance of the Western Wall and the Temple Mount. Filmed
Mourning Rituals at the Western Wall
In this post from JewishAnswers.org, Rabbi David Stadley (Orthodox) answers the question of what prayers should be said at the Western Wall. While mentioning that it is a special place
The Battle for Jerusalem in the Six Day War: Survival of a Nation
Produced by the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute, this moving video (08:29)Â tells the story of Israel’s 1967 battles for Jerusalem and the ensuing liberation of the Old City and the Western
Music
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Naomi Shemer: Father’s Song
Written by Naomi Shemer in 1966, this song expresses the eternal Jewish hope and faith in the rebuilding of the Temple since its destruction in 70 AD by the Roman
Safam: Nachamu Ami (Comfort My People)
This video presents Safam singing “Nachamu Ami” in both Hebrew and English with Hebrew, English and transliterated subtitles. The lyrics, taken from Isaiah 40:1-3, are words of comfort from God
Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach: Yibaneh Hamikdash (The Temple Will Be Rebuilt)
This short audio recording features Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach singing his original upbeat melody for “Yibaneh Hamikdash,” a popular Jewish song about the rebuilding of the Temple. The lyrics, provided below,
The Melodians: Rivers of Babylon
This post presents “Rivers of Babylon,” a Rastafari song written by the Jamaican reggae group The Melodians in 1970. The lyrics, provided below and based on Psalms 19 and 137,
Mareh Kohen: A Song About the High Priest’s Yom Kippur Service
This post provides an audio recording of “Mareh Kohen,” a song from the Yom Kippur Mussaf prayer service that attempts to capture the immense joy, relief and gratitude of the
Naomi Shemer: The Binding of Isaac (Hebrew)
This Hebrew song by iconic Israeli singer, Naomi Shemer, tells the biblical story of the Binding of Isaac, as told in Genesis Chapter 22. According to Jewish tradition, God commanded Abraham
Tisha B’Av at the Tayelet
This low quality video (01:18) shows the Armon Hanatziv Promenade on Tisha B’av, where people gather together, overlooking the Old City and the Temple Mount, to read Kinot (Elegies), hear the reading of
The Shira Chadasha Boys Choir: Psalm 125:1-2
This music video features the Shira Chadasha Boys Choir’s song about Jerusalem, an emotive melody for Psalm 125:1-2. These verses, presented below in Hebrew and English, compare God’s devotion to His people
If I Forget Thee, O Jerusalem: A Chuppah Song
This emotive video features Elior Itzkovitz Cohen singing “If I Forget Thee, O Jerusalem,” a Hebrew song often sung under the chuppah prior to the breaking of the glass, reminding us of the destruction of
If I Forget Thee, O Jerusalem: A Carlebach Chuppah Song
This audio recording features Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach singing his original melody for “If I Forget Thee, O Jerusalem,” a Hebrew song often sung under the chuppah prior to the breaking of the glass, reminding
What Else?
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Second Temple Archaeology
This link opens up Bible History Online’s page about significant archaeological discoveries related to the Second Temple, including photographs and descriptions of inscriptions and coins from the area where the
Diagram of the Temple Mount Expansions
This post presents two diagrams depicting the size and layout of the Temple Mount during the First and Second Temple Periods. Both images compare the size of Solomon’s 500 cubit square platform
PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s Statement Regarding the Temple Mount
Filmed in 2015, amid rising tensions and violence between Israelis and Palestinians regarding an alleged change to the security arrangements by the Israeli authorities in regards to the Temple Mount,
The Legend of Napoleon on Tisha B’Av
This post retells the legend of Napoleon Bonaparte’s impressions upon stumbling upon a group of Jews mourning the destruction of the Temple on Tisha B’Av in Paris. Although several different
Reenactment of the Biblical Shavuot First-Fruits & Twin Loaves Offerings
This 4-minute long video presents a reenactment of the first-fruit and twin loaves offerings, as they were performed in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem on the festival of Shavuot. Due to the
Genesis 22:1-18 – The Binding of Isaac
This post presents an English translation of the biblical text of the Binding of Isaac, as told in Genesis Chapter 22. According to Jewish tradition, God commanded Abraham to sacrifice
Tisha B’Av at the Tayelet
This low quality video (01:18) shows the Armon Hanatziv Promenade on Tisha B’av, where people gather together, overlooking the Old City and the Temple Mount, to read Kinot (Elegies), hear the reading of
An Animated 3D Reconstruction of the City of David and the Temple
A short clip from the 3D movie from the City of David tour, this video (01:22) shows an animated recreation of what the City of David and the Temple might have
Ethiopian Jews Celebrate Sigd in Jerusalem
Produced by the Christian Broadcasting Network, this short news segment (02:26)Â introduces the ancient Ethiopian Jewish holiday of Sigd, which symbolizes the acceptance of the Torah and yearning for Jerusalem. Filmed
Rituals & Ceremonies
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Mareh Kohen: A Song About the High Priest’s Yom Kippur Service
This post provides an audio recording of “Mareh Kohen,” a song from the Yom Kippur Mussaf prayer service that attempts to capture the immense joy, relief and gratitude of the
Mourning Rituals at the Western Wall
In this post from JewishAnswers.org, Rabbi David Stadley (Orthodox) answers the question of what prayers should be said at the Western Wall. While mentioning that it is a special place
Prayer for the Rebuilding of the Temple After Candle Lighting
There is a custom to recite this prayer for the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem after making the blessing over the Shabbat candles. This is the same prayer that