Using the false and evil Oslo so-called “Peace” agreements, they cut off piece after piece from the body of the land of Israel and give them to the foreign so-called “Palestinian Authority” which was planted by them in the midst of the land of Israel and which grows like a cancer in the midst of the body of the Holy Land of Israel. These agreements were signed by the weak and secular government of Israel under the pressure of the above powers. Now these powers are putting pressure on Israel to give away more parts of the land and the main pressure is now on Jerusalem, the capital of the G–d and people of Israel.

The terrorist and murderer, Yasser Arafat, has stated that there will never be peace and that he will renew the Intifada, the battle against Israel, unless Israel agrees to give him Jerusalem as the capital of a “Palestinian” state and give up her sovereignty over Jerusalem. More than this, he is demanding all the area of Judea, Samaria and Gaza to be immediately given to him and that on 13^th September, or earlier, he will declare a “Palestinian” state in those areas with Jerusalem as its capital which he knows that the UN and all the nations will recognise. President Clinton is now acting to hold a summit in Washington DC together with the Prime Minister Barak and Yasser Arafat and there to put further pressure on Barak and force him to agree to Arafat’s demands.

The agents of Arafat on the Temple Mount are now in the midst of an intensive, violent campaign to destroy and remove all the remains of the First and Second Temples and to change the identity of the Temple Mount into an Islamic site. They realise that, whether they want it or not, the Third Temple is going to be built on the Temple Mount as a major event in G–d’s end-time prophetic plans. By this barbaric violence against the G–d and people of Israel they try to prevent this even through such a terrible revolt and violence against G–d and His holy house. As we have stated, they bitter illusions if they think that they can succeed in doing so but it is a terrible sin and a shame for them and that the weak Israeli Government and everyone in the world allows them to do this.

In a speech which Arafat gave in Ramallah (the Biblical city of the Hill of G–d, Givat Elohim, and was a Jewish city settled by Jews but occupied by the Arabs in 630 CE) he stated that he is ready for a war and that he is not afraid of the Israeli tanks and aircraft. The same threats of war are coming closer and closer to Israel from the north from the Hisb’allah terrorist organisation in Lebanon which has stated that their battle will not stop until they have occupied Jerusalem. The same spirit of war is coming form Syria, Iraq, Iran and Egypt, all these enemies of Israel who are preparing their weapons including nuclear, biological and chemical warheads and who are preparing their forces to destroy Israel. The UN and the European Union have stated on more than one occasion and made resolutions that Jerusalem is not the capital of Israel but occupied territory and that Israel should withdraw from Judea, Samaria, Gaza and the Golan Heights.

All of this brings Israelis to the conclusion that the time is very critical and that the prophecies of the prophet Ezekiel about the War of Gog and Magog against Israel and Zechariah’s and other prophets’ prophecies about the war of all the nations against the land of Israel and Jerusalem are soon to be fulfilled. Never since the foundation of the State of Israel in 1948 has Israel felt that the black clouds of this terrible war were so close to Jerusalem. This war will not be a simple war and Israel will pay a high price because of the sinful weakness over her leadership in signing false agreements with the agents of the devil and not with the G–d of Israel. Zechariah states that half of the population of Jerusalem will go into exile. However, the Israelis, after great disappointment in the behaviour of their leadership, are coming closer to the G–d of Israel and understanding that they can only trust in their One Father, the G–d of Israel, Who saved has repeatedly saved them over the last 4000 years and Who will save them  again now from all those powers and nations who will attack them and that He will severely judge all their enemies as He promised in His Word. “Son of man, set your face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him, And say, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal; ... After many days you shall be called upon; in the latter years you shall come against the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered from many peoples, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste; but it is brought out from the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them. You shall ascend and come like a storm, you shall be like a cloud to cover the land, you, and all your bands, and many people with you. ... And you shall come up against my people of Israel, like a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring you against my land, that the nations may know me, when I shall be sanctified in you, O Gog, before their eyes. ... And it shall come to pass on that day, when Gog shall come against the land of Israel, says the Lord God, that my fury shall be roused. For in my jealousy and in the fire of my wrath have I spoken, Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel; ... And I will contend with him by pestilence and by blood; and I will rain down upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, a torrential rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone. Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will make myself known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the Lord. ... You shall fall upon the mountains of Israel, you, and all your bands, and the peoples that are with you; I will give you to the ravenous birds of every sort, and to the beasts of the field to be devoured. ... And I will send a fire on Magog, and among those who dwell securely in the islands; and they shall know that I am the Lord. And I will make my holy name known in the midst of my people Israel; and I will not let them profane my holy name any more; and the nations shall know that I am the Lord, the Holy One in Israel.” (Ezekiel 38:2,3,8,9,16,18,19,22,23; 39:4,6,7) “For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women raped; and half of the city shall go into exile, and the remnant of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. ...  Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of reeling to all the people around, and it shall also be against Judah in the siege against Jerusalem. And on that day I will make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all the peoples; all who burden themselves with it shall be grievously hurt. And all the peoples of the earth shall be gathered together against it. ... And the Lord shall be king over all the earth; on that day the Lord shall be one, and his name one. All the land shall be changed like the Arabah from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem; and she shall be lifted up, and remain in her place, from the Gate of Benjamin to the place of the first gate, to the Corner Gate, and from the Tower of Hananeel to the king's wine presses. ... And men shall dwell in it, and there shall be no more utter destruction; but Jerusalem shall dwell secure.” (Zechariah 14:2,3;12:2,3,6,9; 14:9,11)

The prophet Zechariah states that the weapons (the nuclear, chemical and biological weapons) used against Israel will backfire and will hurt the enemies of Israel and not Israel: “And this shall be the plague with which the Lord will strike all the people who fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their sockets, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth. And it shall come to pass on that day, that a great panic from the Lord shall be among them; and they shall lay hold everyone on the hand of his neighbour, and his hand shall rise up against the hand of his neighbour.” (Zechariah 14:12,13)

We know that the coming time will not be an easy time in Israel. This will be the climax of all the end-time troubles which Israel through which Israel is now passing. Israel must trust in G–d and be strong and, together with the G–d of Israel, we will overcome these terrible events. The G–d of Israel is determined to accomplish the redemption of Israel and all the universe and nothing can or will prevent Him.

The Temple Mount and Land of Israel Faithful Movement and all the others in Israel who are with the G–d of Israel and who are in His army to serve and fight with all their devotion and dedication for Him and His end-time plans are ready to face these events and their challenges as they have been up to this time. We do not fear the enemies of the G–d and people of Israel but only G–d and we trust and love Him and we shall continue to serve Him and His prophetic plans with all the strength which He gave us.

We warn all the enemies of Israel and their allies all over the world that G–d will severely judge and punish them because of their violence and there battles to destroy Israel.

To all the wonderful friends of Israel all over the world who decided to be with the G–d and people of Israel at this great and critical time we send our sincerest thanks and love and the deep appreciation of the G–d and people of Israel. Exactly as the prophets prophesied, you will be redeemed together with the people of Israel whom you love  and support with such devotion. It is so good to know that, together with the G–d of Israel, we have righteous friends and brothers and sisters like you who have placed themselves together with Israel at a time when it is so needed. You are an important sign, example and a great hope for this prophetic, godly time in which we are now living. Continue to be strong with the G–d and people of Israel and the G–d of Israel and the Universe will continue to bless you richly.
 

Those who live in Jerusalem can feel this cosmic reflection and are not surprised. This is the spirit of the G–d of Israel, the Creator of the Universe, who chose the Temple Mount, Mt. Moriah, to be the site of His house and The house of Israel and  Jerusalem to be His capital and that of Israel. In the Tanach the Temple Mount is called the gate to Heaven. As long as the temple existed, G–d reflected His spirit and love on His people, Israel, and from Jerusalem it was spread all over the land of Israel. Since the temple was destroyed, this gate was closed and the spirit was no longer reflected and a time of darkness came to Israel and all the world. Since the foundation of the State of Israel, the event which opened the prophetic end-time redemption of Israel, and even more since the Six Day War, this gate has been reopened, although not yet completely, and G–d again started to reflect the spirit and  blessings of Israel. The rebuilding of the temple will open this gate completely and then the spirit of G–d and His blessings will be reflected in all their glory and will spread and cover, not only all over the land of Israel, but all over the world. This is one of the deep significance of the rebuilding of the temple and its importance has such a deep meaning for all of us.

All of this explains the fact that G–d chose the land of Israel to be His land where He would dwell and the land which He gave to His people, Israel, to also dwell there. The reflection and presence of G–d and His spirit on this land which comes from the Temple Mount and Jerusalem and covers all the land explains what G–d promised to Israel when he gave them the land with great love to the seed of Abraham. "A land which the Lord your God cares for; the eyes of the Lord your God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year to the end of the year." (Deuteronomy 11:12)

Three things can never be divided - the G–d of Israel, the people of Israel, and the land of Israel. The blessings of G–d which are reflected on the land of Israel, and from Israel all over the world, are deeply dependant on the existence and dwelling of Israel in the land of Israel. The reflection of the blessings of G–d on the land of Israel to be a land of milk and honey can only be fulfilled when Israel lives in the land. This is the reason that the land became a wilderness over the past 1900 years while Israel was in exile. The return of Israel explains the re-awakening of the land which again became a land of milk and honey and a blossoming garden and increasingly so every day, and as we said above, the rebuilding of the temple as G–d promised will bring about a tremendous reflection even more than now and will cover not only Israel but all the world.

This reflection also explains the beauty of the land of Israel which is the most beautiful land in the world. G–d is beauty and He reflects His beauty on the land. The presence of G–d in the land is what makes the land so unique. This is what makes a strong impact on people who come from abroad even from places in the world which are very beautiful and are also the beautiful creation of G–d and they can feel here this unique feeling and beauty of the land.  Every evening in Jerusalem when the son sets, the sky has a beautiful red colour which surrounds the city from all sides. This is unique to this beautiful city of G–d and another appearance of this reflection. Every morning when I open the windows of my home I can feel the strong presence of G–d in the new fresh day which enters my home and every other home in Jerusalem and the land and fills them all over and creates a wonderful godly spirit and atmosphere.

All of this has a special meaning in these special end-times in which we are now living. G–d is reflecting His spirit and blessings. He is even much more intensively busy in the redemption of Israel and to once again make Israel  the most beautiful country in the world. He is busy accomplishing His end-time plans with Israel to rebuild His house and to prepare for the coming of Mashiach ben David. He is busy protecting Israel at this critical time from all her enemies and preparing all the nations to accept Him and His people, Israel. The approaching time will be  a very critical time but the most exciting time in the history of Israel and even in the life of all the nations. Everyone is called on to be with the G–d and people of Israel at this special time and to come and visit and see for themselves  what G–d is doing in and with Israel at this major godly time.

A wonderful Jewish tradition holds that when G–d created the Universe, He first created Mt. Moriah, the Temple Mount, and chose it to be the place of His house and blessed it with a special holiness. When He commanded Israel to build His house, the temple, He appointed this place and the rock of Abraham in the midst of it and commanded Israel to never move it from this place or build it elsewhere.

Throughout history many powers and nations were attracted to this place and built their pagan shrines on the site of the temple or sometimes placed their statues inside the temple including the Arabs and the Moslems who built, and continue to build, their mosques on the Temple Mount. The holiness which the G–d of Israel reflected on this place attracted all of them like a magnet. However, all of them did not understand that the holiness of the G–d of Israel on this place can accept only the Jewish temple which G–d called "My house" and promised that, despite this repeated desecration of His holy hill by these powers, the Jewish temple will be rebuilt by Israel alone and only this temple will be "a house of prayer for all nations" and none other which any of the nations tries to build on this holy hill of G–d.  This is the reason that all the foreign shrines which were built on the Temple Mount throughout history have been destroyed and the nations who built them were severely judged by G–d and passed from world history. No doubt G–d will do the same to the Arabs who occupied the hill of G–d by force, destroyed all the remains of the Second Temple, including the Western Wall of the Holy of Holies, and built their mosques and shrines on the place of the holy temple of G–d. G–d will never forgive them for their persecution of His holy hill, Jerusalem, His land and His people, Israel. As it was with the other powers throughout history, they will be removed from this place by the judgement of G–d and the Third Temple will be built by Israel and once again and forever  the holiness of G–d, His holy mountain and the holiness of Israel will be united. This godly union will then open the Temple Mount and the temple to be "a house of prayer for all nations".

There is a unique historical event which happened on the Temple Mount after the destruction. This event is connected to Rabbi ben Zoma who was a student of Rabbi Akiva and lived in the time immediately after the destruciton of the Second Temple.(Rabbi Akiva saw the temple in his youth.) Rabbi ben Zoma was sitting on the Temple Mount watching the secrets of creation. He was so engrossed in this mystical pursuit that he did not even  notice Rabbi Yehoshua ben Hannania who was standing close by. When Rabbi Yehoshua saw him, he asked what he was doing. Rabbi ben Zoma answered that he was observing the distance between the upper and lower waters and that there was only a distance of three fingers between them as it is written in Genesis: "And the spirit of G–d hovered over the waters." (Genesis 1:2) like a dove which hovers over her chicks without touching them. This event of Creation happened on the first day of Creation and on the second day, G–d separated the waters which were below the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament. The Talmud asks what the distance was between the separation. Rabbi Aha bar Yaakov answered that it was the width of a hair and other rabbis stated that it was like the spaces between planks of wood that are placed on a bridge.

Rabbi ben Zoma chose the Temple Mount to be the place of his mystical observation of the secrets of Creation rather than any other place. This was no accident. The extreme holiness of this hill of G–d, and the continual presence of G–d and the reflection of His spirit on this hill was so intense that only on the Temple Mount could he  enter into the deepest secrets of G–d's creation and make this mystical observation in the best way. He could not see anyone around him because the great holiness of the place took him on its wings to higher worlds and so close to G–d. He chose this holy place because he knew what the great rabbis of the time of the destruction had said that the holiness of the Temple Mount would never depart even after the destruction of the temple. It was not the only time that Rabbi ben Zoma, who was considered to be a great and perfect scholar and rabbi by the other rabbis of the time.

G–d is watching us from His destroyed temple and hill which is now again a prisoner in the hands of the pagan Arab foreigners and calls on us to rebuild His house. He wants to dwell once again in His rebuilt house amongst His people and all His creation and He can no longer wait for this. To all who say that the time for this has not yet arrived, He answers what He said through His prophet, Haggai: "Thus speaks the Lord of hosts, saying, This people say that the time has not yet come, the time that the Lord's house should be built. Then came the word of the Lord by Haggai the prophet, saying, ... Thus says the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways. Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, says the Lord. You looked for much, and, behold, it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why? says the Lord of hosts. Because of my house that lies in ruins, and everyone of you runs to his own house. Therefore the heaven above you have withheld the dew, and the earth has withheld its produce. And I called for a drought upon the land, and upon the mountains, and upon the grain, and upon the new wine, and upon the oil, and upon that which the ground brings forth, and upon men, and upon cattle, and upon all the labour of the hands." (Haggai 1:2,3,7-11)

G–d will never accept the current shameful situation on the Temple Mount. As long as this situation persists and the temple is not rebuilt, there will never be peace in Israel and all over the world. Troubles, wars and suffering will continue to be in Israel and all over the world. G–d wants to dwell among His people and creation and to reflect His love and blessings on them. He is ready but we are not ready. Only the rebuilding of the temple will open a new era of peace among nations and establish the Kingdom of G–d and His wonderful principles all over Israel and the world.

Heres is the first section. A Word from Gershon Salomon Dear friends, brothers and sisters. Shalom and love from your brother in Jerusalem, the city of G-d and the capital of Israel. In the name of the G-d and people of Israel and all the members of The Temple Mount and Land of Israel Faithful Movement, I want to send you our blessing, love and prayers from Jerusalem. We are blessed to be your messengers to fulfill a great godly, vision in Israel and in the world. It is so good to know that we have wonderful friends like you who have joined the Faithful Movement and who are serving the major cause of our time: the rebuilding of the Temple, the house of G-d in Jerusalem, to be a house of prayer for all nations and for the completion of G-d's prophetic end-time plans for Israel and the world. My call and the call of The Temple Mount and Land of Israel Faithful Movement, like the prophets in their times, is to stop this policy of giving the land of Israel to its enemies!! More than at any time in the past your help and encouragement has been so needed. You have responded in such a humble way with great dedication. When you heard the call from Jerusalem you immediately answered and showed your complete solidarity with the Faithful Movement. In the most recent events held by the Movement, many friends from different parts of the world participated with us; showing their love for the G-d and people of Israel. This unique occurrence showed us that we are living in the days of Mashiach ben David. We now have many friends and supporters from all over the world. The G-d of Israel said to all the nations: "Show your love to Me through My people Israel". And now in the end-times in which we are now living in Israel, so many do this with such an open, devoted heart. We thank G-d for this. We do not have sufficient words to express our appreciation to all of you. I know that, G-d willing, we are going to see the fulfilment of all our desires. The G-d of Israel promised that in the end-times He would redeem those righteous people who join themselves with Israel to help them and to be with them and show their love to them at this critical time. We are privileged to have such wonderful friends like you. We know that you are in G-d's heart. Thank you so much. We are living at a critical time in the history of Israel and of the world. Israel is now at the focus of all the redemptional end-time activities of G-d. As more godly activities take place in Israel; the enemies of Israel try to stop them. We know that they will fail because who can stop G-d or change His Word? But I must share with you as brothers and sisters who care very much about what is happening at this critical time in Israel, that the weakness of the leadership in Israel is a very negative and worrisome factor. The people of Israel are led by a secular leadership which does not understand the great significance of the time. They do not march in the same line of redemption which G-d is now leading in the history of Israel. Unfortunately they are behaving more like weak politicians under the pressure of our many Arab enemies and their allies all over the world. This is especially true of the President of the United States, Bill Clinton. Under this pressure this leadership has closed the Temple Mount to the Jewish people. Because of this weakness, the Name of G-d has been desecrated on the Temple Mount. Because of the spiritual weakness of this leadership who do not fear the G-d of Israel, the rebuilding of the Temple has been delayed. They have signed evil agreements with the Arab enemies of Israel, especially Yasser Arafat, and has given him the most holy areas in the land of Israel and in Jerusalem. Even as we are writing this, the leadership of Israel has decided to give three areas bordering Jerusalem into the control of the PLO. These areas are only half a mile from the Temple Mount and are within direct sight of it. A large demonstration was held in Jerusalem against this handover. Over a hundred thousand expressed the broken hearts of the Israeli people. They determined to open a struggle to save the land which G-d gave to Israel. The President of the United States has invited the Prime Minister of Israel together with the evil Yasser Arafat to a summit at Camp David. Barak's agreement to attend the summit caused a crisis in Israel. Most of the parties of his government decided to leave the government. Barak no longer has a majority in the Knesset. The Foreign Minister, David Levy refused to accompany him to the summit. Demonstrations occurred all over Israel against this evil conference. Barak was determined, however, to go to the summit even though he no longer had the political backing of the Israeli nation. President Clinton and the terrorist Arafat are determined to found a "Palestinian" state in the holy land which G-d gave only to Israel. Their plan is to give all the areas of Judea, Samaria and Gaza to this evil state and to make the Biblical Jerusalem the capital of this state instead of the eternal capital of Israel. They also plan to take the Temple Mount from Israeli sovereignty and put it under "Palestinian" sovereignty and fly the "Palestinian" flag on the place of the Temple. These plans shocked every Israeli. Could this be the start of the fulfilment of the prophecies of Ezekiel and Zechariah about the nations who will attack Israel in the end-times? The Israelis believe so. To our American friends, I want to share an urgent call to stop this dangerous role which your President is fulfilling in the name of the American people. He wants to be remembered in history through this, but, instead, he will be remembered like all the other leaders of the great powers which persecuted Israel throughout history and came under the judgement of the G-d of Israel. The good American nation which loves the G-d and people of Israel must reject this behavior of their president. My call and the call of The Temple Mount and Land of Israel Faithful Movement, like the prophets in their times, is to stop this policy of giving the land of Israel to its enemies!! I cannot imagine that the Temple Mount will be given into "Palestinian" bondage resulting in a terrible desecration of the Name of G-d . The people of Israel will never allow it. Israel is now in a terrible crisis and it will become worse if this policy is not stopped. The land of Israel is the only land which was ever given to a specific nation by G-d Himself. Even the boundaries of the land were demarcated by G-d so that no-one can divide the land or take parts of it. Besides our major campaign for the rebuilding of the Temple and the redemption of Israel, The Temple Mount and Land of Israel Faithful Movement is dedicated to saving the land of Israel. We will work to create a new leadership in Israel which will be faithful to the Word of G-d; a leadership of spirit, faith and vision to whom the Word of G-d in the Tanach is their foundation. This is really a critical time in Israel especially when we see that the enemies are coming closer and closer to Jerusalem as prophesied by Zechariah (Zechariah 12:1-9). We must also pay attention to these prophecies of Ezekiel (Ezekiel 38 and 39) where the G-d of Israel speaks very clearly stating that these enemies who gather themselves against Israel and Jerusalem will be defeated and harshly judged by Him in the city against which they come to occupy and destroy and that Israel will be saved and redeemed: " Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of reeling to all the people around, and it shall also be against Judah in the siege against Jerusalem. And on that day I will make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all the peoples; all who burden themselves with it shall be grievously hurt. And all the peoples of the earth shall be gathered together against it. And it shall come to pass on that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem." (Zechariah 12:2,3 and 9) I am deeply concerned that Israel will pay a heavy price in this war which is soon to come because of the mistakes and anti-godly behavior of its leadership. This was prophesied by Zechariah (Zechariah 14). Yet, he prophesied clearly that Israel will be redeemed and saved. G-d also promised (Ezekiel 37:24-25) a completely different type of leadership for Israel which will be established and is suitable for the great time of redemption in which we are now living. Also, the prophet Joel prophesied (Joel 4) about the judgment of G-d on all the nations who attack Israel and attempt to divide the land. All the nations that pressure Israel to divide the land should pay attention to this prophecy. At the same time Joel prophesied that Israel will be redeemed forever and only the G-d of Israel will dwell on His holy mountain, Zion (Zechariah 4:18-21). Zechariah also stated that in that day, foreigners will no longer be in the house of G-d on the Temple Mount. (Zechariah 14:21c). "Also the sons of the stranger, who join themselves to the Lord, to serve him, and to love the name of the Lord, to be his servants, every one who keeps the sabbath and does not profane it, and all who hold fast to my covenant: Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples." (Isaiah 56:6,7) We see clearly through all the end-time prophecies and the history of the First and Second Temples, that the rebuilding of the Temple is the key event in the end-time process of redemption of Israel and the world. The re-liberation and redemption of the Temple Mount and the rebuilding of the Temple should now be the primary goal of the Israeli government. This would completely change the critical situation of Israel, opening a new spiritual time in her history. The leadership of Israel and the world should understand that the rebuilding of the Temple will change the history of all mankind. The desire of a hundred generations of Israel since the destruction of the Second Temple should immediately be fulfilled. The rebuilding of the Temple in the end-time has been the greatest desire of the G-d and people of Israel over the last 1930 years since the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 C.E. Three times each day the Jews have prayed for this from the four corners of the exile with their faces, hearts, and souls directed towards the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. In their blessings to G-d before and after meals, this has been the main prayer to G-d: please rebuild your house for us in our lifetime and we shall see you again in the midst of our lives and land, in Jerusalem. Jewish mothers and fathers shared with the small children the stories and traditions of the Temple and committed them to this major cause of the Jewish people. The synagogues were built toward the Temple Mount and even when the Jews bury their dead, no matter where in the world, their faces are directed toward the Temple Mount. In every Jewish home in the exile, or in the destroyed land of Israel, and a portion of the house at the entrance was left unfinished as a memorial to the destruction of the Temple in order that it never be forgotten. The promises of G-d to His people, Israel, to redeem them and to rebuild the Temple were their great comfort during their terrible life and persecution in the time of the exile. This Word of G-d encouraged the Zionist revolution which happened in the last century. G-d spoke through the prophet Ezekiel concerning the regathering of Israel in the prophecy concerning the "Dry Bones" (Ezekiel 37:1-14). Ezekiel continued in this chapter to describe how this vision will become a reality in the people and land of Israel in the end-times. The rebuilding of the Temple is a central feature of these events: "And I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them; and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore. My tabernacle also shall be with them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And the nations shall know that I, the Lord, sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore." (Ezekiel 37:26-28) This is the motivation of The Temple Mount and Land of Israel Faithful Movement. The rebuilding of the Temple is a key event in the life of Israel which will complete the Zionist revolution on the Temple Mount, Jerusalem and the land of Israel. We want to bring the G-d of Israel into the midst of the life of the people of Israel and the world. G-d is ready for this and He has shown it again and again over the last 52 years since the State of Israel was reestablished in 1948. Now we must be ready to fulfil our part with great dedication to the G-d of Israel, to the holy land, and to the Temple Mount. We must remove the foreigners and their terrible abomination from the hill of G-d to purify the place. The rebuilding of the Temple and the redemption of Israel has a deep significance to all mankind. The redemption of the people and the land of Israel, with its climax in the rebuilding of the Temple and the coming of Mashiach ben David, is a condition for the redemption of all the nations. G-d chose Israel, the seed of Abraham, and gave them the promised land of Israel not only to make a godly revolution in the life of Israel but also to bring the Word of the G-d of Israel to all the nations. Because of this godly purpose, the people of Israel cannot run away from their destiny. G-d is determined to accomplish His end-time plans. He showed you very clearly over the last 52 years. He will do so even more in the near future. G-d has repeatedly shown that He alone controls the destiny of Israel. I call all the nations and their leaders to consider the events which G-d is now performing in the land of Israel which have a deep meaning for all mankind. G-d made this revolution not only for the people of Israel but as a condition for a universal, moral revolution. G-d announced through Isaiah: "And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it. And many people shall go and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths; for from Zion shall go forth Torah, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among the nations, and shall decide for many people; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, nor shall they learn war any more. O house of Jacob, come, and let us walk in the light of the Lord." (Isaiah 2:2-5) My call to the nations as well as to the people of Israel is to go with the light of G-d exactly as we hear it here through the Word of G-d. God has given this great vision to our generation and we cannot run away from our responsibility to Him. The redemption of the people and land of Israel and the rebuilding of the Temple in this generation will open the way for the fulfilment of this vision all over the world. However, it must first be accomplished here in Israel. According to the Word of G-d the Temple must be rebuilt on Mt. Moriah in the midst of Jerusalem. Mashiach ben David will not come to Washington D.C., not to London, Paris or Rome, not to Cairo or Damascus, but to the one place which G-d chose, Jerusalem. So my call to all the nations is to stop putting pressure on Israel to sign anti-godly so-called "peace" agreements which give the land, Jerusalem and the Temple Mount to the most, cruel enemies of the G-d and people of Israel. Do not join the enemies who want to destroy Israel. When you join with the enemies of Israel to destroy her you bring yourselves under the judgment of G-d which He promised to execute on the enemies of Israel. The Temple Mount and Land of Israel Faithful Movement is now at a very critical stage in her godly campaign. We know that all the difficulties in Israel today are temporary. We shall continue with all our devotion to fulfil the mission which G-d gave us. As in the past, we shall sacrifice everything in our lives for this great, godly cause. We daily feel that G-d has blessed our mission and He is with us. We have had great progress in our work. Our vision has become a mainstream idea in the midst of the public of Israel. More and more people in Israel and elsewhere are joining the Faithful Movement and encouraging us and giving us the means to undertake our mission. Most of the Israeli nation support our ideas and activities and deep down in the hearts of all the people of Israel they desire and even pray for the success of our campaign. Many letters, calls and emails are received from all over the world full of love and encouragement for The Temple Mount Faithful Movement. We know that soon we shall see the light at the end of the tunnel and, together with all our members, friends and supporters from Israel and from all over the world, we shall stand hand-in-hand before the G-d of Israel in His rebuilt house in the midst of Jerusalem. Together, we shall thank Him for the great privilege which He gave us of acting for this at a time when it was so needed. I call on all of our wonderful friends to be optimistic and to have faith and trust in G-d as we do. In the name of The Temple Mount and Land of Israel Faithful Movement I want to thank all those many wonderful friends who have joined themselves with this godly movement to encourage and to support us in this historical, godly campaign. Thanks to your spiritual, moral and financial assistance, we can continue to undertake our holy work. Like you, we are all volunteers and it is so good to be a volunteer in the army of G-d. We thank you so much for everything. The G-d and people of Israel will never forget what you have done at a time when it is so needed. We love you. The Progress of the Campaign for the Rebuilding of the Temple A s you can read in this newsletter, many activities, educational acts, studies, and preparations were undertaken over the last year for the rebuilding of the house of G-d in Jerusalem and for the redemption of His hill. This is not a distant vision but a present project. The Temple Mount and Land of Israel Faithful Movement started this holy campaign 33 years ago. The Movement was the only group that carried this message from G-d. We understood that the return of Israel after the 1900 years of destruction was not an accident. Nothing in the history of Israel occurred by accident. We see this major, end-time event as the fulfilment of prophecy. G-d's clear purpose is to rebuild His house where the First and Second Temples stood and to begin the climactic, spiritual age with an end-time Zionist revolution. For 1900 years we prayed for this great moment. When it came, we opened our hearts to listen to the voice of G-d. He spoke to His people Israel through the great, godly victory of the Six Day War of 1967. Then, we stood on the liberated Temple Mount ready to hear this word of G-d. Unfortunately, many people could not understand this great moment. The formation of The Temple Mount and Land of Israel Faithful Movement immediately after the Six Day War was an important sign of a revolution in the life of Israel. The Movement was the instrument that G-d anointed to start the difficult campaign leading to the rebuilding of the Temple in our lifetime. We also consecrated ourselves to educate people everywhere to understand that the rebuilding of the Temple is a key event in the prophetic end-time redemptive plans of G-d. It is a condition for the coming of Mashiach ben David who will establish the kingdom of G-d in Israel and then all over the world. Thirty-three years have passed since this great moment, yet, the leadership of this generation has continually missed the opportunity to rebuild G-d's house. We have come a long way since the start of this campaign in 1967. Now the Temple Mount and Land of Israel Faithful Movement is no longer the sole voice advocating this vision. The Temple Mount Faithful Movement is now a factor in the life of Israel and the world. Many people in Israel and abroad have joined in the activities the Movement. The Movement continues to be an example of determination and perfect obedience to G-d. When many people failed to hear His call, we were ready to hear it and to fulfil it in our activities like marches to the Temple Mount. Even our frequent petitions to the Supreme Court of Israel are an educational campaign. We have demonstrated that we should never be weak when the enemy tries to destroy us. We must always realize that as long as we are with the G-d of Israel, we are the majority and all the many enemies become a small minority. The Arab enemy on the Temple Mount continues the terrible destruction of the Temple Mount. By building new mosques they try to destroy its Israeli identity and to deny the existence of the First and Second Temples. With such activities they seek to block the rebuilding of the Third Temple and the establishment of G-d's kingdom on the Earth. They have learned nothing from seven wars against Israel. They've tried repeatedly to destroy G-d's people, but G-d defeated them terribly. The Third Temple will be built whether they want it or not. The judgment of the G-d of Israel is soon to come. He will save His beloved people and the land which He gave them from their cruel attacks exactly as prophesied: "For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring back the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem, I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will enter into judgment with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and have divided my land." (Joel 3:1-2) I call on everyone in the world to be strong at this critical time and to stand with the G-d and people of Israel. Those who do will be redeemed with His people. To all the friends of the Temple Mount and Land of Israel Faithful Movement, I want to say that we continue to intensively conduct our campaign for the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem. Very great progress was achieved in our campaign and activities over the last year. Together with you, dear brothers and sisters, we shall soon see the rebuilding of the Temple and the coming of Mashiach ben David. All the practical and spiritual preparations for the building of the Temple continue. Individuals in many places in Israel are working to prepare the vessels and the instruments for Temple worship. The red heifers and the incense have been prepared and even the Passover sacrifice have been renewed. Two months ago, the Temple Mount Faithful Movement held a symbolic Passover sacrifice. Priests and Levities continue to prepare themselves for the worship in the Temple. A few days ago, even the preparations for creating the Sanhedrin were begun. The Temple Mount Faithful Movement will conduct a campaign in the near future that will be more intense than any in our history. We feel the presence of G-d and His blessings in all our activities. The Significance and History of the Temple in the Life of Israel T he Temple was the most important aspect in the life of Israel. It was the heart, soul, and focus of their life. The Temple was the house of G-d, exactly as He pronounced it in His Word: And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them (Exodus 25:8). The G-d of Israel is the Creator of the nation of Israel; this is a unique case in the history of all the nations. God called Abraham, the father of Israel, and chose him and his seed for an eternal mission. More than this, G-d chose the land of Israel; He told Abraham that he and his seed would live there forever. G-d also chose Jerusalem to be the eternal capital of the nation of Israel, and He chose Mt. Moriah as the holy hill of his house. And the Lord had said to Abram, Get out from your country, and from your family, and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you; And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing; ... And Abram passed through the land ... And the Lord appeared to Abram, and said, To your seed will I give this land; and there he built an altar to the Lord, who appeared to him (Genesis 12:1,2,6,7). Abraham obeyed G-d, left everything in Ur of the Chaldees, and went to the land of Israel. G-d made an eternal covenant with him and his seed. This is also unique in the history of mankind. In the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, To your seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates (Genesis 15:18); And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your seed after you in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God to you, and to your seed after you. And I will give to you, and to your seed after you, the land where you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God (Genesis 17:7-8). A very old tradition states that the Temple Mount was the first thing in the universe that G-d created. First, He created the Rock of Abraham and Isaac; then He created all of the mountain, Jerusalem, the land of Israel, and finally the rest of the universe. From the first moment of creation, G-d dedicated this mountain to be the mountain of His house. This tradition also tells us that the Temple Mount was the location of the Garden of Eden. It is no wonder that G-d sent Abraham and Isaac to be tested on this hill. And it came to pass after these things, that God tested Abraham, and said to him, ... Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell you. ... And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven the second time, And said, By myself have I sworn, said the Lord, for because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son; That in blessing I will bless you, and in multiplying I will multiply your seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and your seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; And in your seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because you have obeyed my voice (Genesis 22:1-2,15-18). G-d even indicated where to build the Temple on Mt. Moriah: the location of the Rock of Abraham and Isaac, which was in the Holy of Holies. (The former Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Shlomo Goren, stated that, according to his research, the rock was the place where the altar of sacrifice was built.) G-d is the reason for the existence of the nation of Israel. He is the Father of Israel, His firstborn son; He is also the Husband of Israel, His wife. This explains why G-d is the focus of the life of Israel and why the Temple Mount is crucial for their relationship with Him. The Significance Of The Tabernacle The tabernacle (haMishkan) was the first dwelling place of G-d's presence. The Tent of Meeting (ohel mo'ed) was a large tent with wooden walls. The tabernacle was actually a mobile temple, which accompanied the children of Israel on their journey through the wilderness from Mt. Sinai to the land of Israel. The tabernacle was dismantled before they moved out of camp and was reassembled when they made camp. It was designed, built, and furnished exactly according to the Word of G-d (Exodus 35-40). These details were also used for the permanent Temple in Jerusalem. G-d anointed Aaron, the brother of Moses, and his seed to be the priests. He also anointed the tribe of Levi to serve in the tabernacle and in the Temple. When the children of Israel came to Shiloh, in Samaria, they built a permanent tabernacle. They built a building of stones and used the fabric of the tabernacle as the roof. (After the Six-Day War when the historical Shiloh was re-liberated, stone walls built in the shape of a tent without a roof were found. Later when the new Shiloh was built and settled, a synagogue was built on the location of these walls. The synagogue had exactly the same design as the tabernacle.) The High Priest of the tabernacle in Shiloh was Eli, and in this place G-d anointed Samuel to be his prophet. The tabernacle was located in Shiloh because Jerusalem had not yet been liberated by the Israelites under Joshua's command. The Significance Of The First Temple (950 B.C.E. - 586 B.C.E.) Jerusalem was liberated by King David c1000 B.C.E. Jerusalem was the first place that was liberated after King David was anointed as king. G-d instructed him to make Jerusalem the eternal capital of Israel. He also told King David to dedicate Mt. Moriah for the Temple. King David built an altar at the same location of the Rock of Abraham and Isaac. He then brought the Ark of the Covenant to the City of David and placed it in a tent on Mt. Moriah. David committed himself to build the Temple. This great yet humble king, whom G-d anointed to be the king and Mashiach of Israel, asked G-d in such a special way to allow him to build His house: And it came to pass, when the king sat in his house, and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies; That the king said to Nathan the prophet, See now, I live in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells within curtains. And Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that is in your heart; for the Lord is with you (2Samuel 7:1-3). The G-d of Israel said to King David through the prophet Nathan that the Temple should be built but that the builder would be his son, Solomon: Go and tell my servant David, Thus said the Lord, Shall you build me a house for me to dwell in? Because I have not dwelt in any house since the time that I brought up the people of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle. Also the Lord tells you that he will make you a house. And when your days are fulfilled, and you shall sleep with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who shall issue from your bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his father, and he shall be my son. And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you; your throne shall be established forever (2 Samuel 7:5-6,11b-14a,16). King Solomon was the king whom G-d anointed to build His house. The Israelites gave everything that was needed for the building of the Temple. (When Jerusalem and the Temple Mount were re-liberated by Israel in 1967, the big stones of the walls of the as tunnels and other areas of the Temple Mount were discovered as well Temple Mount. It was so exciting to see how much the Israelis appreciated and loved the Temple through the beautiful stones, which showed us again the great importance of the house of G-d.) The furnishings and the vessels of the tabernacle were moved to Jerusalem and placed inside the Temple. The tent itself was stored in one of the underground rooms of the Temple. The Ark of the Covenant was located in the Holy of Holies. Inside the ark were the tablets with the Ten Commandments, a portion of manna, and Aaron's rod. The Temple was built exactly according to the specifications for the tabernacle, but of stones. G-d appeared to King David and gave him all the details of the plan of the First Temple. The worship in the Temple was the same as in the tabernacle, including the priests, Levites, and sacrifices. The Temple became the focus of the life and of the land of Israel. G-d commanded the Israelites to come to His house at least three times a year to see Him and to be seen by Him. For the three big festivals, the Israelites made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem to the house of G-d (Exodus23:24). This was the most joyful time in the life of Israel; the Israelites came to Jerusalem from all the land, and they brought with them many offerings for G-d. All the Israelites appeared before G-d as equals. Even the kings of Israel, when they came to the Temple to worship, entered the Temple through the same gate with all the other people. The main entrance to the Temple was through the southern gates of the Temple Mount. Everyone who entered the Temple had to purify themselves by going through the waters of the Mikveh. People who came in contact with dead bodies purified themselves with the ashes of the red heifer. Many Gentiles came from all over the world to see this unique event; they even brought sacrifices to the G-d of Israel. Gentiles and their kings who were impressed by the presence of the G-d of Israel and by His Word converted. Queen Helene, who was the queen of Syria, converted and built her palace in Jerusalem close to the southern wall of the Temple Mount. Every day she went up to the Temple to worship the G-d of Israel. G-d gave 613 commandments to the people of Israel - most of which are connected to the worship in the Temple. The Temple Mount was the holiest place in Israel and all over the world. Three levels of holiness existed on the Temple Mount. The Holy of Holies was the holiest place in the Temple - the place where the Shekinah of G-d and His presence dwelt, the place where He appeared and spoke to the people of Israel. Nobody was allowed to enter the Holy of Holies except the High Priest on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). The High Priest would pray and ask forgiveness for the people of Israel and all the world. The second level of holiness was the rest of the Temple and the immediate area which surrounded it. This area was surrounded by a low wall which was called the Sorag; no foreigner was allowed to enter there, only the purified Israelites. The third level was the remainder of the area on the Temple Mount. Outside of this came Jerusalem and the rest of the land of Israel. G-d commanded the people of Israel to be holy as He. He chose Israel as a nation and not only as individuals. Their dedication to G-d is as a nation, and in this way they will appear before G-d in His house: Now therefore, if you will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then you shall be my own treasure among all peoples; for all the earth is mine; And you shall be to me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation (Exodus 19:5-6a). The Temple and Temple Mount was central in the eyes of G-d and the people of Israel. G-d promised that if they would come to His holy Temple and mountain, He would keep the land from enemies. For I will cast out the nations before you, and enlarge your borders; nor shall any man desire your land, when you shall go up to appear before the Lord your God thrice in the year (Exodus 34:24). This basic Word of G-d should be a lesson to Israel today. The Significance Of The Second Temple (516 B.C.E. - 70 C.E.) The First Temple was burnt and destroyed by the Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar, on Tisha B'Av, 586 B.C.E. Jerusalem was destroyed and the people were taken into exile in Babylon. They swore: "If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. If I do not remember you, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I do not set Jerusalem above my highest joy" (Psalm 137:5,6). The desire to return to Jerusalem - to rebuild the Temple and to redeem the land - was their main motivation during the Babylonian exile. After 70 years, G-d redeemed Israel and brought them back to the land. The prophets Haggai and Zechariah brought the Word of G-d to them to immediately rebuild the Temple, and in 516 B.C.E. the Second Temple was built by Zerubbabel. The rebuilding of the Temple symbolized the opening of a new era in the life of Israel - the age of the Second Temple. It also symbolized a new redemption in their lives: the G-d of Israel dwelt again in their midst. It brought joy and happiness to them after a long time of destruction and exile. Ezra, together with Nehemiah, led the people of Israel in this great time of redemption. And they sang responsively in praising and giving thanks to the Lord: For he is good, for his grace endures for ever towards Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. But many of the priests and Levites and chiefs of the fathers' houses, old men who had seen the first house, wept with a loud voice when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, though many shouted aloud for joy; And the people could not distinguish the sound of joyful shouting from the sound of people weeping, because the people shouted loudly, and the sound was heard from far away (Ezra 3:11-13). The worship in the Temple was renewed, and it again gave significance to the life of the people of Israel in the promised land. In 333 B.C.E., the land of Israel was occupied by Alexander the Great, who was very friendly toward the Jews. However, the Syrian Seleucids, Alexander's successors, asserted their control of the capital of Israel, Jerusalem. The Temple was made into a place of foreign, pagan worship, and the Jewish people were forced to accept a Hellenistic faith and culture. In 165 B.C.E., The Maccabees revolted, liberated the land of Israel, and purified the Temple. G-d commanded this minority to great victories in order to renew the proper worship in the Temple again. Herod, the king of Israel, finished remodeling the Temple and the Temple Mount in 10 B.C.E. after 10 years of work. (The First Temple was built in 7 years.) The Babylonian Talmud states that a miracle happened while they were building the Temple - the rains only occurred at night. In this way, the builders could undertake their work with no interruptions. They felt the blessing and presence of G-d in their work. The Talmud also states that those who did not see the Second Temple never saw such a marvelous and beautiful house. It was built of beautiful marble stones, which were placed with each layer set off from the previous. King Herod, who understood the significance of Temple worship in the life of Israel, wanted to cover the Temple with pure gold. However, the rabbis asked him not to do so because G-d is humble, and He prefers to dwell in a humble house. Remains from this Temple which were discovered after 1967 give us an idea of the beauty and importance of the Second Temple in the life of Israel. The Second Temple was built to the same design of the First Temple, but the building was higher - more than 60 meters (200 ft) high. It was the biggest and most beautiful building in the ancient world. The area of the Temple became so big that almost half a million worshipers could enter the Temple Mount at the same time during the three big festivals. Tradition tells that they stood crowded, but when they bowed down, there was sufficient space to do so comfortably. This was one of the miracles which occurred in the Temple. The design of some chambers and vessels were changed, but most remained the same, as in the First Temple. The tabernacle and both Temples used the same holy vessels. Five of them, especially, remained the same: Ark of the Covenant: This most important furnishing was located in the Holy of Holies in both the Tabernacle and the First Temple. About 20 years before the destruction of the First Temple, King Josiah commanded the priests to hide the Ark from the enemy. For the same reason, it was not relocated in the Second Temple. The priests preferred to keep it hidden for use in the Third Temple in case there was another destruction. The Talmud states that the Ark was hidden in a secret room under the Temple Mount. We are looking forward to the Israeli Government recovering this most important Ark during our lifetime and returning it to the Holy of Holies in the Third Temple. The Faithful Movement is doing everything possible to see it rebuilt soon. The Ark of the Covenant was made from shittim wood and was covered with gold both outside and inside. The Ark was covered by the Kapporet (Mercy Seat) on which were two Cherubim. On either side were the wooden poles ,which were used for carrying the Ark from place to place. Table of Showbread (Bread of the Presence): The table was made of shittim wood and was covered with gold. Twelve loaves of bread (one for each tribe) were placed on the table every Shabbat as an offering to G-d. Golden Altar of Incense: The incense burned on this altar could be smelled from a distance of 30 kilometers (20 miles). Seven - Branch Menorah: This was built of pure gold. Priestly Garments: The garments of both the high priest and the ordinary priests remained the same as in the tabernacle and First Temple. The Significance Of The Third Temple The prophet Isaiah, as the other prophets, prophesied so wonderfully about the significance of the Third Temple. Let us allow the Word of G-d to share with us the great significance of the eternal Third Temple: And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it. And many people shall go and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths; for from Zion shall go forth Torah, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. (Isaiah 2:2-3) A Description Of The Temple Two Temples have existed on the Temple Mount. The design of the Tabernacle was given to Moses by G-d. The plan of the First Temple was given to King David, and all the details of the Third Temple were given in a prophecy to Ezekiel. The Second Temple was built like the First Temple and partly like the Third Temple, which will soon be built. The Temple consisted of four main parts: 1. Court of the Women (Ezrat Nashim): The women stood and worshiped from balconies that were supported by beautiful marble pillars. The Small Sanhedrin met in a room in this courtyard. The Sanhedrin was the supreme court of Israel. The Big Sanhedrin, which met in the Gazit Chamber in the Azara, had 71 judges, and the Small Sanhedrin had 23 judges. Fifteen steps, built in a half-circle, led from the Court of the Women up to the Temple Courtyard. The Levites stood here and played musical instruments, especially the Psalms of Ascent - one for each step. There were also four chambers in the courtyard. One was the chamber of the Nazerites; the second chamber was where the priests removed any worms from the wood which was used for burning on the altar; the third chamber was where the lepers immersed themselves as part of their purification process; and the fourth chamber was for storing the oil and wine used in the Temple offerings. 2. Court of the Priests and Israel (Azara): The entrance to the Temple Court was through the Nicanor Gate. All the gates to the Azara, except the Nicanor Gate which was covered with bronze, were covered with gold. Nicanor, who donated the gate to the Temple, traveled to Alexandria to fetch the doors for the gate. While sailing back to Israel, he encountered a violent storm, which threatened to capsize the ship. The crew decided to jettison the doors and threw the first door overboard. When they wanted to jettison the second gate, Nicanor asked them to throw him overboard with the gate. The Holy One of Israel saw his self-sacrifice, and He immediately caused the storm to subside. When the ship reached Akko, the first door suddenly emerged from beneath the ship, and Nicanor was able to take both doors to the Temple with great joy. The holiness of the Temple Court was greater than that of the Court of the Women because the Altar of Sacrifice was located there. The floor of the Temple Court was holy and built of marble slabs; the holy priests worshiped in bare feet in order to be in contact with this holy ground. Around the courtyard was a wall with seven gates. The courtyard included the Court of the Priests, the Court of the Israelites, the Altar of Sacrifice, the ramp leading up to the altar, nine chambers, the slaughtering area, 24 rings on which the slaughtered animals were hung, tables on which the sacrifices were laid, the laver for washing, and the Temple building. The altar was the most important area in the courtyard because of the sacrifices which honored G-d according His Word. The Levites sang and played musical instruments in the Courtyard of the Priests. They played and sang while the sacrifices took place. Only Israelites who were ritually pure were allowed to enter the Courtyard of the Israelites. The priests began their worship in this courtyard each day at sunrise. They performed the Tamid (Perpetual Sacrifice). 3. Temple Building (Ulam) - The Temple Building of the Second Temple was built more than 20 stories high of beautiful marble. This was the holiest building in the Temple complex. It was wider at the front and narrower at the back. Because of its shape, it was called Ariel (lion). Jerusalem also carried that name for this reason. Twelve steps led up to the Temple Building. The entrance was over 7 floors high. On both sides of the entrance were bronze pillars, which were capped with a crown. The one on the right was called Jachin, and the one on the left was called Boaz. There were five oak beams embedded in the walls overhanging the entrance. Between them, there were lines of beautiful marble. This entrance in the Second Temple, in contrast to all the other gates in the Temple, did not have doors, but an embroidered curtain (Parochet). Queen Helene donated a beautiful golden chandelier which hung above the entrance. She was a righteous queen from Hadiv (in modern day Kurdistan). She and her son Monbaz came to Jerusalem and converted to Judaism. Her palace was built near the southern walls of the Temple Mount; she walked up to the Temple every day to worship the King of the Universe. As the first rays of the morning came over the Mount of Olives and entered through the Eastern Gate (this is why it is called the Golden Gate), the light was reflected by the chandelier; everyone knew that it was time for the morning recitation of the Shema. The people within the Court of the Women and the Temple Court could not see the sunrise because of the high walls. The chandelier thus indicated when the sun had risen. The walls of the Temple Building were so holy that the people were not allowed to touch them. To prevent the people from touching the walls, 1.5 meter (4.5 ft) projections were built into the walls at .6 meter (18 inches) intervals. These projections continued right up to the top of the wall. The projections were of white marble, and the gaps were of green marble. As the sunlight warmed the wall, the colors ran into each other; it looked like the waves of the sea. All the windows in the Temple Building were wide on the outside and narrow on the inside to show that the Shekinah does not need outside light. On the contrary, the light of holiness flowed to the outside and covered all the world. 4. The Holy of Holies, the Holy Place, and the most holy vessels were located inside the Temple Building. The pure gold Seven-Branch Menorah (which was lit every day), the Table of Showbread, and the Golden Altar of Incense were all in the Holy Place. There was a curtain between the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies. In the First Temple, the Holy of Holies housed the gold-plated Ark of the Covenant; above the Ark were the two golden Cherubim. On either side of the ark were the poles which were used to carry the ark. The High Priest (the most holy person) entered the Holy of Holies (the most holy place in the world) once a year on Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). Only he was allowed to enter the Holy of Holies to pray for Israel and all the world, asking for forgiveness and for a blessed year. He sprinkled the blood of the sacrifice on the Mercy Seat and offered the incense between the carrying poles. If he left the Holy of Holies alive, it was a sign to the children of Israel that G-d had forgiven their sins. Above, we have given the main details relating to the structure of the Temple. We shall share many other details in the next newsletter. All these details are very holy and exciting. This was the house where the G-d of Israel dwelt and where He appeared daily before His people, Israel. The rebuilding of the Temple, the eternal Temple, will renew the daily appearance of G-d before Israel and all mankind. People will come from Israel and all over the world to see G-d and to be seen by Him. They will worship, pray, meet Him, and show Him their love; He will show them His love. This will be the key event in the life of Israel and all the nations. It will open the door to all the other prophetic end-time events and to the coming of Mashiach ben David. Time is short, and the Temple is soon to be rebuilt. Everyone should prepare themselves for this great godly time and should study the laws of the construction and worship of the Temple. The Talmud states that by studying these laws, you actually participate in its construction. Those who participate in the practical campaign and efforts of the Temple Mount Faithful Movement to rebuild the Temple have even a bigger part in the rebuilding of the Temple. From the Jewish Prayer Book, we shall pray the prayer: "May it be Thy will, O Lord our God and God of our fathers, that the Temple be speedily rebuilt in our days, and grant our portion in Thy Law. And there we will serve Thee with awe, as in the days of old, and as in ancient years. Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lord, as in the days of old, and as in ancient years." Amen! The Holiness of the Temple and the Temple Mount Remains Today T he holiness of the Temple and the Temple Mount never departed from the hill of G-d, even after the destruction of the Temple. This is an eternal holiness which started from the first moment of the Creation and will remain forever. He chose the Temple Mount to be the place of His house, and He blessed it with a special holiness. He appointed the Rock of Abraham to be the place of His house; He commanded Israel never to move it or build it elsewhere. Throughout history many powers and nations were attracted to this place and built their pagan shrines on the site of the Temple or sometimes placed their statues inside the Temple including the Arabs and the Moslems who built, and continue to build, their mosques on the Temple Mount. The holiness which the G-d of Israel reflected on this place attracted all of them like a magnet. However, all of them did not understand that the holiness of the G-d of Israel on this place can accept only the Jewish Temple which G-d called "My house" and promised that, despite this repeated desecration of His holy hill by these powers, the Jewish Temple will be rebuilt by Israel alone and only this Temple will be "a house of prayer for all nations" and none other which any of the nations tries to build on this holy hill of G-d. This is the reason that all the foreign shrines which were built on the Temple Mount throughout history have been destroyed and the nations who built them were severely judged by G-d and passed from world history. No doubt G-d will do the same to the Arabs who occupied the hill of G-d by force, destroyed all the remains of the Second Temple, including the Western Wall of the Holy of Holies, and built their mosques and shrines on the place of the holy Temple of G-d. G-d will never forgive them for their persecution of His holy hill, Jerusalem, His land and His people, Israel. As it was with the other powers throughout history, they will be removed from this place by the judgement of G-d and the Third Temple will be built by Israel and once again and forever the holiness of G-d, His holy mountain and the holiness of Israel will be united. This godly union will then open the Temple Mount and the Temple to be "a house of prayer for all nations". There is a unique historical event which happened on the Temple Mount after the destruction. This event is connected to Rabbi ben Zoma who was a student of Rabbi Akiva and lived in the time immediately after the destruction of the Second Temple.(Rabbi Akiva saw the Temple in his youth.) Rabbi ben Zoma was sitting on the Temple Mount watching the secrets of creation. He was so engrossed in this mystical pursuit that he did not even notice Rabbi Yehoshua ben Hannania who was standing close by. When Rabbi Yehoshua saw him, he asked what he was doing. Rabbi ben Zoma answered that he was observing the distance between the upper and lower waters and that there was only a distance of three fingers between them as it is written in Genesis: "And the spirit of G-d hovered over the waters" like a dove which hovers over her chicks without touching them (Genesis 1:2). This event of Creation happened on the first day of Creation and on the second day, G-d separated the waters which were below the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament. The Talmud asks what the distance was between the separation. Rabbi Aha bar Ya'akov answered that it was the width of a hair and other rabbis stated that it was like the spaces between planks of wood that are placed on a bridge. Rabbi ben Zoma chose the Temple Mount to be the place of his mystical observation of the secrets of Creation rather than any other place. This was no accident. The extreme holiness of this hill of G-d, and the continual presence of G-d and the reflection of His spirit on this hill was so intense that only on the Temple Mount could he enter into the deepest secrets of G-d's creation and make this mystical observation in the best way. He could not see anyone around him because the great holiness of the place took him on its wings to higher worlds and so close to G-d. He chose this holy place because he knew what the great rabbis of the time of the destruction had said that the holiness of the Temple Mount would never depart even after the destruction of the Temple. It was not the only time that Rabbi ben Zoma, who was considered to be a great and perfect scholar and rabbi by the other rabbis of the time. G-d is watching us from His destroyed Temple and hill which is now again a prisoner in the hands of the pagan Arab foreigners and calls on us to rebuild His house. He wants to dwell once again in His rebuilt house amongst His people and all His creation and He can no longer wait for this. To all who say that the time for this has not yet arrived, He answers what He said through His prophet, Haggai: "Thus speaks the Lord of hosts, saying, This people say that the time has not yet come, the time that the Lord's house should be built ... Consider your ways. Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, says the Lord. You looked for much, and, behold, it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why? says the Lord of hosts. Because of my house that lies in ruins, and everyone of you runs to his own house. Therefore the heaven above you have withheld the dew, and the earth has withheld its produce. And I called for a drought upon the land, and upon the mountains, and upon the grain, and upon the new wine, and upon the oil, and upon that which the ground brings forth, and upon men, and upon cattle, and upon all the labor of the hands" (Haggai 1:2,7-11). G-d will never accept the current shameful situation on the Temple Mount. As long as this situation persists and the Temple is not rebuilt, there will never be peace in Israel and all over the world. Troubles, wars and suffering will continue to be in Israel and all over the world. G-d wants to dwell among His people and creation and to reflect His love and blessings on them. He is ready but we are not ready. Only the rebuilding of the Temple will open a new era of peace among nations and establish the Kingdom of G-d and His wonderful principles all over Israel and the world. The Temple Mount as the Key Place in the Fulfilment of Prophecy T here is a wonderful event which the Talmud relates concerning the Temple Mount as a key place and example for the fulfilment of prophecy in Israel which should be a lesson to our time. This event took place after the destruction of the Second Temple during the time of the great rabbi and leader, Rabbi Akiva, who was also behind the Bar Kochva revolt against the Romans from 133CE. One day Rabbi Akiva, together with other rabbis and students, walked on the Temple Mount discussing Torah and the Word of G-d. The Temple Mount was a scene of terrible destruction and suddenly they saw a fox running out from the place of Holy of Holies. When all of his colleagues saw this painful reminder of the situation, they started to cry and could not stop weeping. However, Rabbi Akiva, when he saw this, became full of joy. When the other rabbis saw Rabbi Akiva's reaction, they could not believe it or understand why this rabbi could be joyful in the face of such a sad event. They asked him to explain his joy. He responded that the prophets prophesied that the Temple would be destroyed and that foxes would roam among the ruins and that afterwards G-d would redeem His people, Israel, the Temple Mount, Jerusalem and the land of Israel and that He would rebuild the Temple and send Mashiach ben David. Rabbi Akiva said that when he saw that the first part of the prophecy was fulfilled and that foxes were roaming in the midst of the destroyed Temple he became sure that the latter part of comfort and redemption would also be fulfilled. That was the reason that he became full of joy because he knew that the redemption would also soon come. All those who were with him also became full of joy and his understanding brought comfort to their hearts. This exciting and unique event should be an important godly lesson to all of us, especially in the great time in which we are now living - the time of redemption and the fulfilment of all the end-time prophecies of the prophets of Israel when all the prophetic end-time promises of G-d are becoming a daily reality with the people and land of Israel and soon with all the world. Most of these prophecies of redemption have already been fulfilled in Israel and, like Rabbi Akiva, we should say that if G-d has already fulfilled most of the end-time prophecies and promises He will surely continue to fulfill the rest of them: to redeem the Temple Mount, to rebuild His holy Temple, to redeem Jerusalem and the people and land of Israel. The key place of all of these, as in the time of Rabbi Akiva, is the Temple Mount on which the Temple will be rebuilt. The troubles, no matter how difficult they are now as they were in the time of Rabbi Akiva, are also a part of prophecy. They should not weaken our resolve or our complete trust in G-d and His promises. We shall never turn back from the fact that we decided to be in His army at this great and critical time and to act with all our strength for Him and His end-time plans and to sacrifice everything in our lives with all our devotion to this godly cause. Mystery on the Temple Mount during the Six Day War O n the day of the liberation of the Temple Mount during the Six Day War of 1967,a mysterious event occurred. As Gershon Salomon and the soldiers were walking on the Temple Mount, someone dressed in civilian clothing suddenly appeared. He approached the group speaking English and told them that he had come to show them the location of the Temple and its complex on the Temple Mount. He immediately took the group back to the Dome of the Rock, where they stood shortly before with tears in their eyes at the moment of the liberation. He showed the group the site of their Temple, the rock of Abraham and Isaac and the Holy of Holies, the altar, and the Cave of the Spirits. He also explained the function of every place in the Temple complex. He was very excited when he spoke to them and repeatedly blessed the group for the godly liberation of the Temple Mount, as he put it. He told the group that they should immediately rebuild the Temple because that is why G-d had brought Israel back to the Temple Mount with such a great victory. The group asked the man who he was, and he replied that he was an Arab guide for the Temple Mount. However, he did not look like either an Arab or a guide. The group asked him why he had not spoken about the history of Arab occupation on the Temple Mount. He said that he had been sent by G-d to tell the group that the history of the Arab occupation of the Temple Mount, Jerusalem, and all the land had passed away forever; it was time to rebuild the Temple in the same location as the First and Second Temples, which he had indicated that day. All this was told to all the Arabs and Moslems by their elders and was even written in their holy books. They knew that one day, in G-d's timing, it would come to pass and that time had arrived so Israel should do what G-d was expecting her to do and G-d would be with her as He always was and also had been in the victory which He had just given her. When the stranger finished speaking, he suddenly disappeared as if he had been blown away by a wind; he was not seen again. All the group were sure that this mysterious "person" was an angel sent by G-d to tell Israel that He was expecting her to immediately rebuild the Temple, to renew the days of Israel as it was in the Biblical times , and to open the door for the coming of Mashiach ben David. Gershon will never forget this event. The Renewal of the Sanhedrin on the Temple Mount The Sanhedrin was the supreme court of Israel and was located in the Court of Israel in the Second Temple complex. It was made up of 70 of the most important rabbis in Israel plus the high priest. The Sanhedrin dealt with the major cases whilst the Small Sanhedrin dealt with regular cases. The redemption of Israel and the rebuilding of the Temple are strongly connected to the reconstitution of the Sanhedrin. In the Third Temple, it will be the highest institution once again. All those who desire to see the rebuilding of the Temple in our lifetime have recently commenced activities to reconstitute the Sanhedrin on the Temple Mount. These activities are still in the initial stages, but they symbolize the feelings of everyone that time is short and that we are very close to the rebuilding of the Temple and the renewal of the worship there.