Changes

== History ==

== History ==

According to the Book of Samuel, the altar of the Temple was built on a threshing floor purchased by David. So the true site of the Temple must be a flat portion of the Temple Mount rather than the Rock. The Dome is likely to be the site of [[Fort Antonia]], a Roman fort just north of the Temple.<ref name="notbuilt">"[https://www.bible.ca/archeology/bible-archeology-jerusalem-temple-mount-.dome-of-rock.htm The Temple in Jerusalem was not located over the Dome of the Rock]"</ref><ref>{{bibleverse|2|Samuel|24:24|ESV}}</ref> The "tower of Antonia...was erected upon a rock of

Among archaeologists, there are three theories concerning the status of the Rock in ancient times. Dr. Leen Ritmeyer has proposed that the Temple was where the Dome of the Rock now stands. Dr. Asher Kaufman argues that the Temple was north of this site, with the Holy of Holies located at what is now the Shrine of the Spirits. Tuvia Sagiv has proposed that the Holy of Holies was at Al Kas fountain south of the Dome.<ref>''[http://templemount.org/ The Temple Mount in Jerusalem]''</ref>

fifty cubits in height," according to [[Josephus]].<ref>Josephus, ''The Jewish War.'' Chapter 5.</ref> A cubic is 0.4445 meters. The area was landscaped by [[Hadrian]], so the Rock would have been more prominent in ancient times.

After the Romans destroyed the Second Temple in AD 70, Jerusalem was rebuilt as a Roman city called Aelia Capitolina. Emperor [[Hadrian]] built a temple to Jupiter on the Temple Mount in 135. In 325, Emperor Constantine tore down this temple.<ref name="notbuilt"/>

After the Romans destroyed the Second Temple in AD 70, Jerusalem was rebuilt as a Roman city called Aelia Capitolina. Emperor [[Hadrian]] built a temple to Jupiter on the Temple Mount in 135. In 325, Emperor Constantine tore down this temple.<ref name="notbuilt"/>

[[Maimonides]] prayed on the Temple Mount in 1165. "Even though, the Temple is now in ruin because of our sins, a person must hold its [site] in awe, as one would regard it when it was standing," he said.<ref>"[https://templeinstitute.org/maimonides-on-the-temple-mount/ Maimonides on the Temple Mount]"</ref> Maimonides issued a law code which states, "Therefore, every Jew should avoid entering the central area of the Temple Mount both because of the prohibition of entering the sanctified area of the Temple and because of the positive commandment of venerating the Temple."<ref>''Bet Habehirah'' 7:7.</ref>

[[Maimonides]] prayed on the Temple Mount in 1165. "Even though, the Temple is now in ruin because of our sins, a person must hold its [site] in awe, as one would regard it when it was standing," he said.<ref>"[https://templeinstitute.org/maimonides-on-the-temple-mount/ Maimonides on the Temple Mount]"</ref> Maimonides issued a law code which states, "Therefore, every Jew should avoid entering the central area of the Temple Mount both because of the prohibition of entering the sanctified area of the Temple and because of the positive commandment of venerating the Temple."<ref>''Bet Habehirah'' 7:7.</ref>

The Temple proper was 400 by 400 cubics, according to Josephus. Thus the sanctifed area is just a small portion of the Temple Mount.  

The Temple proper was 400 by 400 cubics, according to Josephus. A cubic was about .44 meters. Thus the sanctifed area is just a small portion of the Temple Mount.  

Since about 1600, Jewish religious leaders have held that Jews are not allowed enter any part of the Temple Mount. Instead, modern Jews pray at the [[Western Wall]]. Since the location of forbidden areas, such as the Rampart or the Court of Women, is no longer known, there is a risk that someone who enters the Temple Mount will trespass into them.<ref>Levy, Rafael, "[https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/259512 'Refrain from entering entire Temple Mount area']," ''Israel National News'', 24.02.19.</ref>

Since about 1600, Jewish religious leaders have held that Jews are not allowed enter any part of the Temple Mount. Instead, modern Jews pray at the [[Western Wall]]. Since the location of forbidden areas, such as the Rampart or the Court of Women, is no longer known, there is a risk that someone who enters the Temple Mount will trespass into them.<ref>Levy, Rafael, "[https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/259512 'Refrain from entering entire Temple Mount area']," ''Israel National News'', 24.02.19.</ref>