I Was Glad

The center of the universe

We had an early start this morning. Leaving the college on foot at 7:30 we walked to the Damascus Gate and then through the Old City to the Western Wall.  Part of the group had not been present when we made our earlier visit. We will make a more extended stop there later in the day. This morning we only walked by.

Our objective was to join the queue for entrance to the Temple Mount. We had to go through security to get to the Western Wall.  We left that secure area and then went through another checkpoint to go up on the Mount.

As we went up the ramp it was easy to imagine the Hebrew children singing "I was glad when they said to me, let us go to the house of the Lord." 

What is on top is a very large plaza that encompasses Herod’s expansion of the Temple area. He desired to expand on the Hasmonean Temple, since, during his reign, pilgrimage to the Temple had grown considerably. People would come for the the three great festivals, as well as other events.  The space was needed to accommodate them. This is where Jesus was presented in the temple which we commemorate on February 2, 40 days following his birth. This is where he taught.  This is where he overturned the tables of the money changers.  So many things happened in this place.

When one walks on the stones on the Temple Mount the impression is that this really is a building project nearly equal to the 

The Dome of the Rock

great pyramids of Egypt. Carving away the mountain at one end and building up the area on the opposite end were feats in themselves. Building the walls and the substructure which is seldom seen is another monumental project and then paving the area with stones no less than 2 to 3 feet wide and long involves more work than I can imagine. The paving is not done with flat pavers as is done today but with heavy stones with which one could build walls. 

The Aqsa Mosque is there and the magnificent structure known as the Dome of the Rock. We were not allowed to enter either of these buildings. The Dome of the Rock encloses the rock which, in Hebrew and Islamic thought, is the beginning of all creation.  It was from this single rock that God created the heavens and earth and all living things. It was also on this rock that Abraham prepared to sacrifice his son Isaac. This structure and the Temple which preceded it were built on what was known as Mt. Moriah. 

Mosaic Tile Work

The Dome of the Rock is covered with exquisite tiles bearing geometric designs. Since it is an Islamic structure it is forbidden to portray any human likeness. There are also tiles with quotations from the Koran circling the building. There are park-like places where one can find people reading the Koran and/or praying. Looking across the Kidron Valley one can see the Mount of Olives and the Garden of Gethsemane. Interesting coincidence–this morning’s reading at Morning Prayer from the Gospel of John says that Jesus went to the Mount of Olives and then to the Temple where the Jewish officials brought the woman caught in adultery to test Jesus. His famous quote was spoken here “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” (John 7:53–8:11)

We exited the city by the Lions’ Gate or St. Stephen’s Gate, it being a traditional place for the stoning of Stephen. Our bus met us and transported us up the Mount of Olives to the Princess Basma Centre, a ministry of the Diocese of Jerusalem. This is a fantastic place where occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy is provided for children with autism, learning disorders, and other disabilities. Young children come with their mothers who live there with them. The children receive therapy and the mothers are trained to continue the therapy at home. As soon as possible the children are sent home and then the progress is checked periodically. There is also a K-12 school where children with and without disabilities are integrated. Another aspect of the program is a sheltered workshop for older persons. Their products are sold to help provide funds for the Centre.  Obviously it was not appropriate to take photos there.

At the Western (Wailing) Wall

In the afternoon the bus took us to the Dung Gate from whence we made another visit to the Western Wall to take time to pray and meditate. We exited by the same gate and crossed the street to explore the ancient City of David. This was the 
original Jerusalem, a capitol city of the Jebusites long before David determined to make it his capitol. This is the most ancient part of Jerusalem and is outside the city walls built later. 

Ancient Walls of the City of David

Pool of Siloam Bereft of Water

We were able to walk through the tunnel which was carved–from either end meeting in the middle–in order to provide water for the city. The spring was outside the walls so the water had to be brought in lest there be a siege. It is said that David conquered the city by sending warriors through this tunnel to gain access. The City of David is ideally situated with mountains all around which provide some natural protection. Our tour ended at the Pool of Siloam.

Across the rooftops from the Temple Mount.
Church of the Holy Sepulcher is the 2 gray domes in
the center.