Mount for 2 peoples
On Tisha B'Av, Jewish and Muslim actors take part in theatrical display meant to portray universal nature of Temple Mount, present halachic vision of Temple and Mosque side by side
The Temple Mount is the holiest place for the Jewish people, and although 2,000 years have passed since the destruction of the Second Temple – the anticipation and yearning for its reconstruction have not faded away.
The Mount, however, is also considered a very holy place for Muslims, who come to pray at the al-Aqsa Mosque, and believe that Prophet Muhammad ascended to the skies from the Foundation Stone that is on the site.
The presentation is meant to raise awareness to the universal nature of the Temple Mount and to the halachic possibility of operating the Temple and Mosque side by side.
God's Holy Mountain Project Director Yoav Frankel explained that "Especially on Tisha B'Av, a day that symbolizes the destruction of the Jewish temples, it is important to emphasize the universal nature of the Temple and Temple Mount, which was and is meant to be 'a prayer house for all peoples.'
"It was the only place in the world where Jews and non Jews prayed together in the name of one god, and were exposed to the concept of monotheism and longed-for world peace," he said.
The display will take place on the backdrop of a drawing depicting the Temple Mount, painted by Asher Frohlich from the artist village of Ein Hod, and based on a five-year research published in the halachic journal Tchumin.
According to Frankel, "Some of the best Rabbis, sheikhs and Christian clergy who were exposed to the project are encouraging us to continue in our activity, research and publication of this unique initiative in order to change the view that Temple Mount is a place of contention and conflict between religions and peoples – and to understand that the it is the symbol of peace and co-existence."
The display can be viewed on Tuesday between 3-7 pm on Ben Yehuda pedestrian mall in Jerusalem
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