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Muslim authorities do not accept the tradition that Mohammad ascended from the Rock specifically.<ref>"[http://www.islamicencyclopedia.org/islamic-pedia-topic.php?id=641 Masjid al-Aqsa]", ''Islamic Encyclopedia,'' Mon, 13 Oct, 2014.</ref> The Temple Mount is Islam's third holiest site. The dome was built in 691, making it one of the oldest examples of notable Islamic architecture.

Muslim authorities do not accept the tradition that Mohammad ascended from the Rock specifically.<ref>"[http://www.islamicencyclopedia.org/islamic-pedia-topic.php?id=641 Masjid al-Aqsa]", ''Islamic Encyclopedia,'' Mon, 13 Oct, 2014.</ref> The Temple Mount is Islam's third holiest site. The dome was built in 691, making it one of the oldest examples of notable Islamic architecture.

In Jewish tradition, the rock under the dome is identified with the [[foundation stone]] on which the [[Ark of Covenant]] rested at the Temple.<ref>[https://templeinstitute.org/illustrated-tour-the-holy-of-holies/ Temple Inst.]<blockquote>The Foundation Stone.

In Jewish tradition, the rock under the dome is identified with the [[foundation stone]] on which the [[Ark of the Covenant]] rested at the Temple.<ref>[https://templeinstitute.org/illustrated-tour-the-holy-of-holies/ Temple Inst.]<blockquote>The Foundation Stone.

In the center of the Holy of Holies stood the Foundation Stone that was placed there by David and Samuel. The Hebrew name Even Shetiya (Foundation Stone) refers to the tradition that the world was created and emanated from this place.

In the center of the Holy of Holies stood the Foundation Stone that was placed there by David and Samuel. The Hebrew name Even Shetiya (Foundation Stone) refers to the tradition that the world was created and emanated from this place.

The foundation stone is where [[Abraham]] offered up his son [[Isaac]],<ref>{{bibleverse||Genesis|22:1-24|ESV}}</ref> and it is the part of the world that came into being first during creation.<ref>{{bibleverse||Job|38:4|ESV}}</ref>

The foundation stone is where [[Abraham]] offered up his son [[Isaac]],<ref>{{bibleverse||Genesis|22:1-24|ESV}}</ref> and it is the part of the world that came into being first during creation.<ref>{{bibleverse||Job|38:4|ESV}}</ref>

The base of the Dome is an octogon. The Byzantine Church of Mary's Rock in Jerusalem has been suggested as an inspiration for this unusual shape.

The base of the Dome is an octagon. The Byzantine Church of Mary's Rock in Jerusalem has been suggested as an inspiration for this unusual shape.

== 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]]

=== At the Dome ===

=== At the Dome ===

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 most widely 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.

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 a 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 a 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 the 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 western wall of the former Holy of Holies. The divine presence never moves from this location, according to the Midrashim. Jews have prayed at the Wailing Wall since the 16th century. <ref>"[https://www.encyclopedia.com/philosophy-and-religion/judaism/judaism/western-wall Western Wall]," ''Encyclopaedia Judaica Auerbach''.</ref>

=== City of David ===

=== City of David ===