[goldstategop]

Jews are forbidden to step foot on the Mount for the reason that its not certain where the Holy of Holies precinct that contained the Divine Presence is located. In Jewish law, only the High Priest could enter it and only once a year.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[Unknowing]

Oh, thank you, goldstategop. That makes sense.

[agrace]

Your post brings to mind a question - since I can’t imagine that the religious leadership believes the Presence is currently there (or do they?), what is their reasoning behind that? Is the spot simply considered hallowed forever?

And if that’s the case - when the temple is finally rebuilt, how will they know for sure exactly where the Holy of Holies was and will that matter? (For that matter, how can they construct it with that restriction in place?)

I can understand Jewish leadership deciding that Jews should not ascend the Temple Mount in its current state (desecrated by mosques), but would love some feedback on why the restriction is based on the Holy of Holies. Thoughts?