Contested Holiness: Jewish, Muslim, and Christian Perspectives on the Temple Mount in JerusalemSovereignty over the Temple Mount in Jerusalem is one of the most difficult problems in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Although it is a present-day bone of contention, its roots go back into the distant past. Israelites, Christians, and Muslims had fought over this holy site, and built on it a succession of shrines. The book leads the reader into the intricate history, geography, and politics of this unique site. It relates the roots of its holiness, describes the succession of temples built on it, and explains how in the twentieth century its sanctity became intertwined with the national aspirations of both Jews and Arabs. It explains why the Temple Mount is considered the holiest site for the Jews, and how it became holy also to the Muslims. The book also explores the role of evangelical Christians, who, alongside a segment of the Jewish population, see the Temple Mount as the center of messianic aspirations, fed by the myriad of Jewish, Christian, and Muslim legends and myths which evolved around it. The book is richly illustrated with photographs, sketches, maps, and plans. |
Contents
Location History and Contemporary Features | 9 |
The Lower Platform | 26 |
Locating Holiness | 36 |
Contesting Shrines | 47 |
The Second Temple | 60 |
The Temple Mount Under Pagans and Christians | 77 |
The Revival of the Temple Mount Under the Muslims | 84 |
The Return of the Muslims | 104 |
41 | 111 |
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Common terms and phrases
al-Aqsa Mosque altar Arab archaeological arches became began Binding of Isaac British Mandate building built Byzantine century Christian Church City of David compound conflict courtyard Crusaders declared despite destroyed destruction Dome earth enter the Temple entrance esplanade excavations Gate of Mercy Government Press Office Haram a-Sharif Hasmonean heaven Herod's Temple Holy of Holies holy places holy rock Holy Sepulcher holy sites Ibid Islam Israel Israeli Israelite Jerusalem Jesus Jewish Temples Jews Judah Judaism Kidron Valley King Herod kingdom legends Mamluk Mazar Mecca meters Mishnah mosaics Mount of Olives Muhammad Muslim authorities Muslim shrines Old City Ottoman Palestine Palestinian Photographer pilgrimage pilgrims pray prayer priests prophet Rabbi religion religious repaired ritual Roman rule sanctity Second Temple Shetiyya Shragai Solomon's Stables Solomon's Temple southern stone structure Succot Temple Mount Temple Mount/Haram Third Temple threshing floor tion tradition tunnel waqf west wall Western Wall worship