Temple Mount
Overview
The Temple Mount, known in Hebrew (and in Judaism
) as , and in Arabic (and in Islam
) as the Haram Ash-Sharif , is one of the most important religious sites in the Old City of Jerusalem. It has been used as a religious site for thousands of years. At least four religions are known to have used the Temple Mount: Judaism
, Islam
, Christianity
, and Roman paganism.
Biblical scholars have often identified it with two biblical mountains of uncertain location: Mount Moriah where the binding of Isaac
took place, and Mount Zion
where the original Jebusite
fortress stood, however both interpretations are disputed.
Judaism
regards the Temple Mount as the place where God chose the Divine Presence
to rest (Isa 8:18); according to the rabbinic sages whose debates produced the Talmud
, it was from here the world expanded into its present form and where God gathered the dust used to create the first man, Adam.
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
) as , and in Arabic (and in Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
) as the Haram Ash-Sharif , is one of the most important religious sites in the Old City of Jerusalem. It has been used as a religious site for thousands of years. At least four religions are known to have used the Temple Mount: Judaism
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
, Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
, Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
, and Roman paganism.
Biblical scholars have often identified it with two biblical mountains of uncertain location: Mount Moriah where the binding of Isaac
Binding of Isaac
The Binding of Isaac Akedah or Akeidat Yitzchak in Hebrew and Dhabih in Arabic, is a story from the Hebrew Bible in which God asks Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac, on Mount Moriah...
took place, and Mount Zion
Mount Zion
Mount Zion is a place name for a site in Jerusalem, the location of which has shifted several times in history. According to the Hebrew Bible's Book of Samuel, it was the site of the Jebusite fortress called the "stronghold of Zion" that was conquered by King David, becoming his palace in the City...
where the original Jebusite
Jebusite
According to the Hebrew Bible, the Jebusites were a Canaanite tribe who inhabited and built Jerusalem prior to its conquest by King David; the Books of Kings state that Jerusalem was known as Jebus prior to this event...
fortress stood, however both interpretations are disputed.
Judaism
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
regards the Temple Mount as the place where God chose the Divine Presence
Shekhinah
Shekinah is the English spelling of a grammatically feminine Hebrew word that means the dwelling or settling, and is used to denote the dwelling or settling divine presence of God, especially in the Temple in Jerusalem.-Etymology:Shekinah is derived...
to rest (Isa 8:18); according to the rabbinic sages whose debates produced the Talmud
Talmud
The Talmud is a central text of mainstream Judaism. It takes the form of a record of rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, philosophy, customs and history....
, it was from here the world expanded into its present form and where God gathered the dust used to create the first man, Adam.
