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== Relationship to the Temple ==

== Relationship to the Temple ==

[[File:Dome of the Rock and Chain Dome.jpg|thumb|left|Dome of the Rock and Dome of the Chain]]

[[File:Dome of the Rock and Chain Dome.jpg|thumb|left|Dome of the Rock and Dome of the Chain]]

The generally accepted view is that the Temple was where the Dome now stands. This '''central location''' theory was outlined by Rabbi David ben Zimra (“Radbaz” [1461–1571]). In modern times, the theory is identified with architect Leen Ritmeyer. It follows that the Rock was the Foundation Stone of the Herodian temple. The Foundation Stone was in an area of the Temple called the [[Holy of Holies]].

The generally accepted view is that the Temple was where the Dome now stands. This '''central location''' theory was outlined by Rabbi David ben Zimra (“Radbaz” [1461–1571]). In modern times, the theory is identified with architect Leen Ritmeyer. It follows that the Rock was the Foundation Stone of the Herodian temple. The Foundation Stone was in an area of the Temple called the [[Holy of Holies]].

One difficulty with this view is that the rock housed under the Dome is 58 by 51 feet. Yet the Holy of Holies was only 20 by 20 cubits, or 30 by 30 feet. The Foundation Stone was a platform that rose "three fingers" above the Temple floor, according to the Mishna.<ref name="blidstein">Blidstein, Gerald Y., "[https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/even-shetiyyah Even Shetiyyah]," ''Encyclopedia Judaica'', 1996.</ref> The Rock is 5 foot, 9 inches above the floor of the shrine. Furthermore, the top of the Rock appears to have been quarried at some point, suggesting that it was once even higher.

One difficulty with this view is that the rock housed under the Dome is 58 by 51 feet. Yet the Holy of Holies was only 20 by 20 cubits, or 30 by 30 feet. The Foundation Stone was a platform that rose "three fingers" above the Temple floor, according to the Mishna.<ref name="blidstein">Blidstein, Gerald Y., "[https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/even-shetiyyah Even Shetiyyah]," ''Encyclopedia Judaica'', 1996.</ref> The Rock is 5 foot, 9 inches above the floor of the shrine. Furthermore, the top of the Rock appears to have been quarried at some point, suggesting that it was once even higher.

The '''northern location''' theory of physicist Asher Kaufman places the Temple north of the Dome, with the Holy of Holies located at what is now the Shrine of the Spirits. This is due west of the blocked Golden Gate, a subject of messianic prophesy.<ref>{{bibleverse||Ezekiel|44}}</ref> A review in ''Biblical Archaeological Review'' complained that Kaufman's "reconstruction of the Inner and Outer Courts of the Temple [are] geographically and physically untenable."<ref>Schwartz, Joshua, "[https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/reviews/the-temple-mount/ The Temple Mount: Where Is the Holy of Holies?]," ''Bible History Daily,'' January 11, 2012.</ref>

The '''northern location''' theory of physicist Asher Kaufman places the Temple north of the Dome, with the Holy of Holies located at what is now the Shrine of the Spirits. This is due west of the blocked Golden Gate, a subject of messianic prophesy.<ref>{{bibleverse||Ezekiel|44}}</ref> A review in ''Biblical Archaeological Review'' complained that Kaufman's "reconstruction of the Inner and Outer Courts of the Temple [are] geographically and physically untenable."<ref>Schwartz, Joshua, "[https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/reviews/the-temple-mount/ The Temple Mount: Where Is the Holy of Holies?]," ''Bible History Daily,'' January 11, 2012.</ref>

Architect Tuvia Sagiv has proposed a '''southern location''' theory that places the Holy of Holies at the site of Al Kas fountain, south of the Dome. Sagiv suggests that Hadrian's Jerusalem temple followed the plan of another temple built by Hadrian in Baalbek, Lebanon. In this view, the Dome was built on the ruins of the hexagonal forecourt of the classical temple.<ref>"[http://templemount.org/ The Temple Mount in Jerusalem]"</ref>

Architect Tuvia Sagiv has proposed a '''southern location''' theory that places the Holy of Holies at the site of Al Kas fountain, south of the Dome. Sagiv suggests that Hadrian's Jerusalem temple followed the plan of another temple built by Hadrian in Baalbek, Lebanon. In this view, the Dome was built on the ruins of the hexagonal forecourt of the classical temple.<ref>"[http://templemount.org/ The Temple Mount in Jerusalem]"</ref>

If the Holy of Holies was at El Kas, the Wailing Wall is the portion of the Temple retaining wall that is closest to the former Holy of Holies. Jews have prayed at this wall for many centuries. The usual explanation is that they confused the western retaining wall with the western wall of the actual Temple. If Sagiv's theory is correct, the connection between Wall and the Holy of Holies is more direct.

If the Holy of Holies was at El Kas, the Wailing Wall is the portion of the Temple retaining wall that is closest to the former Holy of Holies. Jews have prayed at this wall for many centuries. The usual explanation is that they confused the western retaining wall with the western wall of the actual Temple. If Sagiv's theory is correct, the connection between Wall and the Holy of Holies is more direct.

Meteorologist [[Ernest Martin]] argues that the Temple was not on the Temple Mount at all, but rather in the [[City of David]], which is located in a valley just south of the Temple Mount.<ref>"[https://yrm.org/lost-temple-mount-found-pt1/ The Lost Temple Mount Found]"</ref> This theory ignores numerous Bible verses that specify that the Temple was on a mountaintop. For example, 2 Chronicles refers to, "the altars that he had built on the mountain of the house of the LORD and in Jerusalem,"<ref>{{bibleverse|2|Chronicles|33:15|ESV}}</ref> while Micah says, "It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and it shall be lifted up above the hills; and peoples shall flow to it."<ref>{{bibleverse||Micah|4:1|ESV}}</ref>  

Meteorologist [[Ernest Martin]] argues that the Temple was not on the Temple Mount at all, but rather in the [[City of David]], which is located in a valley just south of the Temple Mount.<ref>"[https://yrm.org/lost-temple-mount-found-pt1/ The Lost Temple Mount Found]"</ref> This theory ignores numerous Bible verses that specify that the Temple was on a mountaintop. For example, 2 Chronicles refers to, "the altars that he had built on the mountain of the house of the LORD and in Jerusalem,"<ref>{{bibleverse|2|Chronicles|33:15|ESV}}</ref> while Micah says, "It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and it shall be lifted up above the hills; and peoples shall flow to it."<ref>{{bibleverse||Micah|4:1|ESV}}</ref>