“And to the House of God we will go with fervor”

The above is a quote from Tehillim. This morning I was zoche to once again go to Har Habayit, the Temple Mount. It has been a number of months since I was last able to go, so I took advantage of the opportunity today and went, despite the group from Bet Shemesh having a very low turnout.

We were presented with a very unique experience and opportunity when, at the last moment, Tuviah Sagiv joined us. Tuviah Sagiv, in case you are not familiar with the name, is the author of the claim that the Temple actually stood a bit further south than what we normally think of. He says the Dome of the Rock is not the place of the Temple, rather the belief that it is is mostly based on Christian and Moslem traditions and not Jewish traditions.

His view is generally discounted by most authorities on the Temple Mount issues, with only a few being machmir according to his opinion and not walking in the part he considers the area of the Temple. The reason for this is that his is a minority opinion and is against the traditions that have been handed down over the generations and that have been written about by chaza”l.

It was a special opportunity to be able to hear his opinion from him firsthand instead of just automatically discounting it. He walked us through the area. What was especially interesting was that he is more machmir, in the sense that he will not walk in the area he considers the Temple area, nor in the area the other opinions consider the proper place. The reason is so as not to upset people, as well as why take the chance..

I am not enough of a master of the sources and issues to have been able to debate him on the topic, and my memory is not good enough to remember the great amount of information and proofs he discussed with us. However, I must say I was extremely impressed by what I considered his honest search for the truth and his willingness to swim against the tides and develop his theory based on his well considered proofs and indications. He had archaeological proofs, as well as textual support and even support from many traditions.

It is not for me to decide who is right and who is wrong regarding the machloket. I do appreciate the seriousness with which he approaches the topic and the forthrightness with which he deals..

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I took the opportunity to daven for personal needs and requests, as well as for the successful return of Gilad Shalit, and all other captive soldiers and Jonathan Pollard. This was a special time as we are about to enter the period of mourning (3 weeks) over the loss of the Temple. To be able to walk on the ground of Temple Mount, feeling the stone and dirt on my bare feet, and think about the destruction as well as thinking about the problems we are undergoing today was a powerful opportunity for introspection and consideration.