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Judsäische Wüste Israel
Klagemauer Westmauer

KOTEL/ WESTERN WALL (Wailing Wall)

The Kotel (Hebrew: wall) is today the holiest (freely accessible) site in Judaism. Originally, it was the western retaining wall of the Jewish temple destroyed in 70 CE. Currently it is the closest place to the former temple where Jews are allowed to pray. The name Wailing Wall originated in the Middle Ages (among non-Jews), due to the assumption that Jews were mourning the loss of their Temple in Jerusalem. Since the reunification of Jerusalem in the 1967 Six-Day-War, connoisseurs use only the name Western Wall. Recommendation: take time, go alone (i.e., not in a group) and open your heart. Highlight: a promise for non-Jews God's promise and Solomon's prayer for foreigners: 1 Kings 8:41-43 "And when strangers who are not of your people Israel hear of you and come from distant lands to worship your name-for they will hear of you and your mighty wonders and your power-when they pray turned to this house, hear them in heaven where you dwell, and give them whatever they ask." 1 Kings 9:3 "And the LORD said to him: I have heard your prayer and your supplication, which you prayed before me. I have sanctified this house that you have built, to make my name dwell there forever; and my eyes and my heart shall be there always."

Davidstern grün
Felsendom Jerusalem

TEMPLE MOUNT

The Temple Mount Har ha-Bayit (Hebrew) is a hill in southeastern Jerusalem called Mount Moriah according to Jewish tradition. On its summit is an artificial plateau of about 14 hectares, in the center of which stood Solomon's Temple and later the Herodian Temple. The latter was destroyed to the foundations by the Romans in 70 CE. According to Halacha (Jewish law), it is the only place, where the Third Temple could be built in the future. Since the 7th century AD, the Dome of the Rock and the al-Aqsā Mosque are located here. As the holiest site of all Jews and the third holiest of Muslims, the Temple Mount is one of the most controversial holy sites in the world. Shortly after the start of the Six-Day-War in 1967, Israeli troops conquered the Old City of Jerusalem as well as the Temple Mount. Today, Israel controls access and provides security on the Temple Mount, and the Waqf Authority (an Islamic foundation funded by Jordan) manages the area and the holy sites. Since 1967, visiting all of Jerusalem's holy sites is theoretically possible for members of all religions. In concrete terms, this looks as follows: - Access to the Temple Mount is available to Muslims at all times through eight gates on the north and west sides of the site. - Jews and Christians have access only through the Mughrabi Bridge and the Moroccan Gate near the Western Wall. Entry is permitted only after security checks; outside Muslim prayer times and only from Sunday to Thursday between 7:30-10:30 a.m. and 1:30-2:30 p.m. In addition, bringing religious books and cult ob