The Temple Mount

On this last full day of my time in Jerusalem, I was privileged to set foot upon the Temple Mount. Known in Hebrew as the Har ha-Bayit and in Arabic as al-Haram al-Qudsi ash-Sharif, this is the holiest site in Judaism, one of the three holiest sites in Islam, and one of the holiest sites in Christianity, for it was here that Jesus's teaching, ministry and last days were centered. In my faith the Temple Mount has additional significance, as my beliefs also center upon Temples and Temple worship.

According to Jewish tradition, the Temple Mount is Mount Moriah, the place where Abraham went up to offer Isaac, his son. Here the Israelites built a Temple under King Solomon, which stood on the site for some 400 years until its destruction by the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar in 586 B.C.Two later Jewish Temples were built or expanded on the site, in 538 B.C. and again by Herod after 19 B.C.

My personal feelings on visiting this last and greatest site in the Holy City are deep and emotional. There is a power in this place unlike any other. A few impressions. First, I was amazed at the sheer size of the Temple Mount. Indeed, the area is so vast that on the outer fringes one has the sense of being in the country, among the trees and flowers on little country paths. Also, there is a profound sense of peace in the holy space, of something more powerful and more vital than anything below in the bustling and strife-filled city.

As a final act of devotion in my visit to this holy city, I took away a small white stone from the Temple Mount, near the inside of the long-sealed Golden Gate, which I will take with me back to United States.

The Western Wall

From the roofs in the Jewish Quarter I got a wonderful view of the Western Wall of the Temple and its throng of worshippers. Due to some current political unrest, we did not venture closer to the Western Wall today, but may do so later in the week.

Where I Lived and What I Lived For

Max and Brooke Stoneman, my nephew and his beautiful wife, are graduate students living in student housing at Hebrew University. Brooke and Max are among the smartest, most personable and most creative people I know—conversation alone with them is a fascinating journey! They have already taken me on an amazing exploratory foray into the Old City of Jerusalem, and it is wonderful to have two such knowledgeable guides (including Max, who is fluent in both Arabic and Hebrew). They have opened their home to me for my week in Jerusalem and have been the perfect guests—I am trying hard not to wear out my welcome. Their apartment is beautiful and they have generously given me their study as a guest room during my sojourn. This study has a window overlooking the Temple Mount! Where else would I be offered accommodations with a view of one of the holiest sites in Christianity, Judaism and Islam?

I am looking forward to soaking up as much of this amazing place as possible in the next few days, to store away a treasure house of memories, sights, sounds and impressions of this very special place!

Detour from Kyiv to Jerusalem

My November teaching trip to Ukraine has taken an unexpected detour--it now appears that I will be returning to the United States by way of Israel! My nephew, who is a graduate student at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, has invited me to visit before or after my visit to Ukraine, and I have decided to spend a few days in the Holy City during the week of the American Thanksgiving holiday.

This detour will be the fulfillment of a lifelong dream! I have for years studied and thought about Jerusalem and its many holy sites--in particular the Temple Mount and its environs. It will be a fascinating comparison to see this special place with the sights, sounds and impressions of Ukraine fresh on my mind.

My tentative plan is to complete my teaching in Kyiv and Kharkiv on The 19th of November, to visit special sites in Kyiv on the 20th and 21st, and then that evening (Saturday) fly to Tel Aviv by way of Riga, Lithuania. I will arrive in Jerusalem early on Sunday morning the 22nd, and stay until early Friday morning, the 27th of November, at which time I will fly back to Salt Lake City by way of San Francsico, California.