the stairs leading to the chulda gates were of different sizes so that you couldn't run up
The Chulda Gates as excavated now in Jerusalem
The Chulda Gates according to the model in the Israel Museum
Thursday, August 04, 2011
The Chulda Gates
the stairs leading to the chulda gates were of different sizes so that you couldn't run upThe Chulda Gates as excavated now in Jerusalem
The Chulda Gates according to the model in the Israel Museum
Monday, July 24, 2006
The bulla
SINCE 1999 THE MOSLEM WAKF, which was granted de facto day-to-day control of the Temple Mount by the Israeli government in 1967, has been conducting illegal construction of an underground Mosque on the southern third of the Temple Mount. In the course of this illegal construction the Wakf has been using heavy tractors to excavate the earth. Both the construction and the excavation have been conducted without any archeological supervision, rendering both aspects of this violation of the holy site illegal. (To learn more about Israeli law concerning the Temple Mount, click here.) The stated purpose behind the Wakf's actions has been both to "create facts" on the ground, rendering the Mount a "Moslem only" site, and to destroy any archeological evidence of the first and second Holy Temples which stood on the Mount. This is part and parcel of a consistent policy of the Palestinian Authority to deny that the Holy Temple ever existed.
Although many have protested the brazen assault on this holiest of sites, the Israeli government has consistently followed the policy of acquiescence. Even the archeological community which has been outspoken in its protest, has done little more than throw up its arms in resignation. A young archeologist by the name of Zachi Zweig, however, refused to stand idly by. Led by Dr. Gabriel Barkay, Zachi organized and oversaw the transfer of the debris from where it was dumped, (illegally), in the Kidron Valley to an alternative location, where a crew of volunteers under Dr. Barkay's supervision have been painstakingly sifting through the dirt and rubble looking for signs of the past. This constitutes the first archeological "dig" on the Temple Mount in history. Ironically, archeological research has been forbidden on the Mount due to the sensitvity of the location for religious, (read, political), reasons.
The Moslem attempt to obliterate any remaining physical evidence of the Holy Temple has actually enabled Zachi and Dr. Barkay to uncover priceless links to the past. It must be kept in mind, however, that the wanton Wakf destruction has severely impaired the ability of archeologists to properly analyze the discoveries, due to the fact that they were removed from their original location. And, of course, the archeologists are not able to study those remnants that were pulverized into dust by the Wakf bulldozers. Yet, despite the adverse conditions, significant discoveries have been made of artifacts from both the first and second Temple era. Bronze coins dating from the Great Revolt against the Roman authority in the year 70 CE. have been uncovered. Below are three other fascinating discoveries made by Zachi's crew. Those of us who believe in the historical veracity of the Hebrew Bible do not require archeological evidence to bolster our convictions, just as those that are willing to employ any and all methods in an attempt to pervert, deny, and obliterate the truth certainly won't be moved by a few archeological finds, however startling they may be. Yet these discoveries, as you will see below, can bring us tantalizingly close to a period in human history of nearly a thousand years, when the Holy Temple stood on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem.
"for example here is a BULLA WITH A SEAL IMPRESSION. The bulla made of clay was originally attached to a document or a parcel, and still retains part of its original text on its face. The bulla is black in color as a result of being burned by the fire that ironically caused its preservation. The bulla became defragmented in ancient times and is incomplete. The letters preserved on the middle register are "ליהו" (...LYHW) while the bottom register reads "אמר..." (...AMR). In light of another published seal, it may be possible to complete the writing as "לגא]ליהו.[בן]אמר]" (Belonging to Ga'alyahu son of Immer). The house of Imer was a well-known priestly family at the end of the First Temple period, roughly from around the 7th - 6th Centuries BCE, and the days of Return to Zion." [See Jeremiah 20:1; Ezra 2:37, 2:59, 10:20; Nehemiah 3:29, 7:40, 7:61, 11:13, 7:61; First Chronicles 9:12, 24:14]
"This is a direct regards from the Temple Mount of the days of the Kings of Judah. Though tens of bullae have been found in the past in the City of David, this is the first time that a written item from the First Temple period was found on the Temple Mount itself."
EVEN THIS TINIEST OF FINDS is vastly rich in historical significance. One can only imagine what discoveries remain uncovered on the Temple Mount itself. Meanwhile, Zachi and Dr. Barkai have many tons of debris yet to sift through. Thanks to the generous support of the Ir David Foundation, they will be able to proceed apace. Even more remarkable than the link to our past that these dicoveries reveal, is the unbroken link to both past and future made evident in the remarkable efforts of a few who will not allow our past to be buried, nor our future to die. May the Holy Temple be rebuilt speedily, in our days!
Although many have protested the brazen assault on this holiest of sites, the Israeli government has consistently followed the policy of acquiescence. Even the archeological community which has been outspoken in its protest, has done little more than throw up its arms in resignation. A young archeologist by the name of Zachi Zweig, however, refused to stand idly by. Led by Dr. Gabriel Barkay, Zachi organized and oversaw the transfer of the debris from where it was dumped, (illegally), in the Kidron Valley to an alternative location, where a crew of volunteers under Dr. Barkay's supervision have been painstakingly sifting through the dirt and rubble looking for signs of the past. This constitutes the first archeological "dig" on the Temple Mount in history. Ironically, archeological research has been forbidden on the Mount due to the sensitvity of the location for religious, (read, political), reasons.
The Moslem attempt to obliterate any remaining physical evidence of the Holy Temple has actually enabled Zachi and Dr. Barkay to uncover priceless links to the past. It must be kept in mind, however, that the wanton Wakf destruction has severely impaired the ability of archeologists to properly analyze the discoveries, due to the fact that they were removed from their original location. And, of course, the archeologists are not able to study those remnants that were pulverized into dust by the Wakf bulldozers. Yet, despite the adverse conditions, significant discoveries have been made of artifacts from both the first and second Temple era. Bronze coins dating from the Great Revolt against the Roman authority in the year 70 CE. have been uncovered. Below are three other fascinating discoveries made by Zachi's crew. Those of us who believe in the historical veracity of the Hebrew Bible do not require archeological evidence to bolster our convictions, just as those that are willing to employ any and all methods in an attempt to pervert, deny, and obliterate the truth certainly won't be moved by a few archeological finds, however startling they may be. Yet these discoveries, as you will see below, can bring us tantalizingly close to a period in human history of nearly a thousand years, when the Holy Temple stood on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem.
"for example here is a BULLA WITH A SEAL IMPRESSION. The bulla made of clay was originally attached to a document or a parcel, and still retains part of its original text on its face. The bulla is black in color as a result of being burned by the fire that ironically caused its preservation. The bulla became defragmented in ancient times and is incomplete. The letters preserved on the middle register are "ליהו" (...LYHW) while the bottom register reads "אמר..." (...AMR). In light of another published seal, it may be possible to complete the writing as "לגא]ליהו.[בן]אמר]" (Belonging to Ga'alyahu son of Immer). The house of Imer was a well-known priestly family at the end of the First Temple period, roughly from around the 7th - 6th Centuries BCE, and the days of Return to Zion." [See Jeremiah 20:1; Ezra 2:37, 2:59, 10:20; Nehemiah 3:29, 7:40, 7:61, 11:13, 7:61; First Chronicles 9:12, 24:14]
"This is a direct regards from the Temple Mount of the days of the Kings of Judah. Though tens of bullae have been found in the past in the City of David, this is the first time that a written item from the First Temple period was found on the Temple Mount itself."
EVEN THIS TINIEST OF FINDS is vastly rich in historical significance. One can only imagine what discoveries remain uncovered on the Temple Mount itself. Meanwhile, Zachi and Dr. Barkai have many tons of debris yet to sift through. Thanks to the generous support of the Ir David Foundation, they will be able to proceed apace. Even more remarkable than the link to our past that these dicoveries reveal, is the unbroken link to both past and future made evident in the remarkable efforts of a few who will not allow our past to be buried, nor our future to die. May the Holy Temple be rebuilt speedily, in our days!
Saturday, January 28, 2006
The Irrepressible Truth
THE MOSLEM WAKF has been conducting illegal construction of an underground Mosque on the southern third of the Temple Mount. In the course of this illegal construction the Wakf has been using heavy tractors to excavate the earth. The stated purpose behind the Wakf's actions has been both to "create facts" on the ground, rendering the Mount a "Moslem only" site, and to destroy any archeological evidence of the first and second Holy Temples which stood on the Mount. This is part and parcel of a consistent policy of the Palestinian Authority to deny that the Holy Temple ever existed.
ALTHOUGH MANY HAVE PROTESTED the brazen assault on this holiest of sites, the Israeli government has consistently followed the policy of acquiescence. A young archeologist by the name of Zachi Zweig, however, refused to stand idly by. Working with Dr. Gabriel Barkay, Zachi organized and oversaw the transfer of the debris from where it was dumped, (illegally), in the Kidron Valley to an alternative location, where a crew of volunteers have been painstakingly sifting through the dirt and rubble looking for signs of the past.
THE MOSLEM ATTEMPT TO OBLITERATE any remaining physical evidence of the Holy Temple has actually enabled Zachi and Dr. Barkay to uncover priceless links to the past. It must be kept in mind, however, that the wanton Wakf destruction has severely impaired the ability of archeologists to properly analyze the discoveries, due to the fact that they were removed from their original location. And, of course, the archeologists are not able to study those remnants that were pulverized into dust by the Wakf bulldozers. Yet, despite the adverse conditions, significant discoveries have been made of artifacts from both the first and second Temple era.
Bronze coins dating from the Great Revolt against the Roman authority in the year 70 CE. have been uncovered. Other discoveries have followed, including three remarkable remnants we have now posted on our site. Those of us who believe in the historical veracity of the Hebrew Bible do not require archeological evidence to bolster our convictions, just as those that are willing to employ any and all methods in an attempt to pervert, deny, and obliterate the truth certainly won't be moved by a few archeological finds, however startling they may be. Yet these discoveries, as you will see, can bring us tantalizingly close to a period in human history of nearly a thousand years, when the Holy Temple stood on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem.
taken fromthe temple institute
ALTHOUGH MANY HAVE PROTESTED the brazen assault on this holiest of sites, the Israeli government has consistently followed the policy of acquiescence. A young archeologist by the name of Zachi Zweig, however, refused to stand idly by. Working with Dr. Gabriel Barkay, Zachi organized and oversaw the transfer of the debris from where it was dumped, (illegally), in the Kidron Valley to an alternative location, where a crew of volunteers have been painstakingly sifting through the dirt and rubble looking for signs of the past.
THE MOSLEM ATTEMPT TO OBLITERATE any remaining physical evidence of the Holy Temple has actually enabled Zachi and Dr. Barkay to uncover priceless links to the past. It must be kept in mind, however, that the wanton Wakf destruction has severely impaired the ability of archeologists to properly analyze the discoveries, due to the fact that they were removed from their original location. And, of course, the archeologists are not able to study those remnants that were pulverized into dust by the Wakf bulldozers. Yet, despite the adverse conditions, significant discoveries have been made of artifacts from both the first and second Temple era.
Bronze coins dating from the Great Revolt against the Roman authority in the year 70 CE. have been uncovered. Other discoveries have followed, including three remarkable remnants we have now posted on our site. Those of us who believe in the historical veracity of the Hebrew Bible do not require archeological evidence to bolster our convictions, just as those that are willing to employ any and all methods in an attempt to pervert, deny, and obliterate the truth certainly won't be moved by a few archeological finds, however startling they may be. Yet these discoveries, as you will see, can bring us tantalizingly close to a period in human history of nearly a thousand years, when the Holy Temple stood on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem.
taken fromthe temple institute
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
northern wall
Northern Wall Area. All of these buildings are also built over the Northern Wall.
School Building. This school is built over the Northern Wall. In years past, it was used as an army barracks for Turkish soldiers.
North Wall Area. Of all the walls of Har HaBayis, we know the least about the Northern Temple Wall. This is due to the fact that many schools, churches, and homes are built against it. This is a drawing made of the Northern Wall area from inside the Temple Mount.
More than Meets the Eye. Only a small portion of Barclay's gate is seen today. Most of it is hidden by the Moslem wall and is buried below ground. The original gateway was about 30 feet high (3 stories) and 15 feet wide.
The Great Lintel Stone. The lintel stone on Barclay's Gate in 27 feet long and weighs over 100 tons!
Barclay's Blocked Gate. In the center of the photo is part of the great lintel stone that rested atop Barclay's Gate. The rest of the stone is blocked by the wall the Arabs built years ago. Atop the steps is a small room which women now use for prayers. More of the stone can be seen from inside that room. The small stones, behind the railing on the steps, were placed there by the Arabs to block the opening of Barclay's Gate.
Barclay's Gate. In the Bais HaMikdash there was a gateway that led from the Western walkway onto Har HaBayis. It's archeological name is Barclay's Gate, named after a nineteenth century American diplomat who discovered it. Barclay also discovered Tzidkiyahu's cave. See Room 5, exhibits 5h-5k
"No Gentiles Allowed" stones
"No Gentiles Allowed" Fragment. This is fragment from another stone. It too is written in Greek. This one can be seen in the Israel Museum in Jerusalem.
The "No Gentiles Allowed" Inscription. Surrounding the outside of the "azarah" courtyard was a low wooden fence. There were markers written in Greek and Latin stating: No gentile is allowed within the wall surrounding the sanctuary nor the enclosed courtyard. Anyone apprehended doing so is at the risk of taking his own life in his hands. This fragment is presently in the Archaeological Museum in Istanbul, Turkey.
the moshiach stone
The "Moshiach" Inscription. In the seventh century the Persians conquered Eretz Yisroel from the Christian Byzantines. The Persians gave the Jews permission to rebuild their Bais HaMikdash. Preparations were made and the construction began. One Jew, thinking that Moshiach was about to arrive and would herald the "t'chiyas ha'maysim," the resurrection, carved a "pasuk" on the Western Wall, under Robinson's Arch. (See other posts) It is from the haftorah of Shabbos Rosh Chodesh and reads. "And you shall see and your hearts shall rejoice. Your bones like the grass will spring forth." The last word is missing from the inscription. Also, the inscription actually reads "their bones." It should say "your bones." Before the Jews could complete the building, an earthquake destroyed their work. Shortly thereafter, the Byzantines regained Jerusalem and banished the Jews. The time for Moshiach had not arrived.
this stone prooves the no "broken telephone" has been made throughout the generations (not that we need any proof and not that this is the only proof as this whole website is proof) as in the 7th century they were learning and thinking about the same torah which we learn and think about
floor tiles from the beis hamikdosh
Ashlar Fragment. Building stones that were used within the "azarah," had to be perfectly smooth. The surface of this jagged stone is very smooth.
Ashlar Fragment. This building stone was part of a building outside the "azarah." Notice the rough design carved onto the surface of the fragment. This stone was discovered by the "museum" curator's wife during an expedition in 1982
Floor Tile Fragment. The floor of the "azarah" consisted of white tiles, tan tiles, and bluish-purple tiles. This interesting stone was discovered by the "museum" curator's son, Menachem.
Floor Tile Fragment. A fragment of tan flooring tile of the Bais HaMikdash
(first from the top) Dinarim, dinars
(third from the bottom) Shekalim (shekels), these are dated to the year 68 CE, two years before the "churban."
(second from the bottom) prutas, from the time of the Maccabees
(first from the bottom) "machatzis h'shekel, " a half shekel issued 2 years before the "churban"
Coins relating to the Bais Hamikdash #2
(top image) Judea Capta, issued by the Roman Empire to "celebrate" the downfall of Eretz Yisroel and the destruction of the Temple. Judea Capta means "Judea has been captured."
(fourth from bottom) The Roman general, Titus Flavius, "yimach shemo," commander of the Roman troops who destroyed our Holy Bais Hamikdash
(third from bottom) Emperor Vespasian (large image) and his two sons, Titus (the general, small image on the left) and Domitian, (who built the famous Arch of Titus commemorating the destruction of Yerushalayim
(second from bottom) The Roman emperor, Vespasian, at the time of the "churban
(first from bottom) Hadrian - "yimach shemo," the Roman emperor who converted the Bais HaMikdash into a temple for "avodah zorah."
coins relating to the beis hamikdosh
The façade of the Heichel in the Bais HaMikdash, minted by Bar Kokhbah about 50 years after the "churban."
These are coins found in Massada
mishna - kehati
There were seven gates in the wall surrounding the azarah - the inner courtyard (see 2:6) - three in the north, and three in the south, and one in the east - as the mishnah elaborates:Those in the south: Nearest the west - Shaar Hadelek - (lit. "the gate of the fuel") through which firewood for the altar was brought in - second to it - i.e., immediately east of it - Shaar Habekhorot - (lit. "the gate of the firstbom") through which firstbom animals were brought in, rather than through Shaar Hakorban on the north side like other sacrifices (see 1:5), to demonstrate that they could be slaughtered on the south side of the azarah - third to it, Shaar Hamayim - oit. "the gate of the water") through which a pitcher of water drawn from the Shiloah well, just south of Har Habayit, would be brought into the azarah on Sukkot, for the water libation. Ezekiel prophesied that a stream of water will flow through this gate; thus: "And he brought me back to the opening of the building, and behold, water issuing from under the threshold of the building eastward...and he brought me out through the gate northward, and he led me around the outside to the outer gate through the one leading eastward, and behold, there was water trickling on the right side" (Ezek. 47:1-2; see 2:6; and see Bartenura).That - gate that was - in the east: Shaar Nikanor - the main entrance to the azarah named after the man who constructed its doors (see 2:3)-and it had two chambers-near it-one on its right and one on its left. One was the Chamber of Pinhas the Outfitter - where the uniforms of the kohanim were stored, named after one of the officials who occupied this chamber - and one was the Chamber of the Havitin Makers - where the havitin, the special fried meal-offering of the kohen gadol was prepared daily.
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