Posted on 10/19/2011 6:50:45 AM PDT by Eleutheria5
A Jewish worshipper was arrested on the Temple Mount for performing the mitzvah of taking the four species - most commonly symbolized by the most visible component, the lulav (palm frond), at around 15:30 on Wednesday.
The Kotel (Western Wall) is traditionally packed with Jewish worshippers during the holiday season, many of whom ascend the mount to Judaism's holiest site. Wednesday was Hoshana Raba, the final day of Sukkot before Shmini Atzeret, whereon the four species play a critical component of the prayer service.
Under rules set my the Muslim Waqf governing the holy site, Jews are routinely arrested by Israeli police for religious expression.
(Excerpt) Read more at israelnationalnews.com ...
ML/NJ
Perhaps it’s time for Jews to stage an “Occupy the Temple Mount” protest...
When I was there with a Catholic pilgrimage group two years ago, our priest’s Bible was confiscated (he got it back later) and those of us who wore Crucifixes were told to hide them inside our shirts.
The time I was there, I saw what appeared to be groups of school children (about normal class size) holding Pali flags and reciting (chanting) slogans which didn’t sound all that friendly. Under adult direction, of course.
As a teen in the late 1970’s I spent the summer in Israel. Our tour group (43 Jewish teens from the US and Canada) visited the entire Temple Mount. We were even allowed to tour the INSIDE of the dome of the rock.
Back then we even were able to visit Nazareth, Hebron, Bethlehem etc....back when they were beautiful little towns (before the Pals took over) and not slums. Back then for the most part, they lived side by side. I remember our tour guide telling us that Arab Israelis had a higher standard of living then their counterparts in the surrounding countries.
Not that there wasn’t some terrorist violence but it was before the Pals decided that homicide bombers were a good idea).
After my son visited Israel three years ago, we compared pictures from 1977 with his pictures. What a shame - it was like two different places.
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I am surprised a Jewish group would ascend the Mount for reasons unrelated to the arabs.
I wouldn’t feel worthy, regardless of the abomonation of the Dome of the Rock is there or not.
Arrested for a lulav? Quick get the Monty Python comfy chair...gads how lame can it get?
The world was a VERY different place in 1977! Very different. We were just tourists looking at architecture - and mozaic tiles.
I guess. I am Israeli and was certainly there in 1977.
The concern comes because I’m a Cohen and a Hasid — I’ve been near the edges of the top of mount where our Rabbi said was OK, but candidly would be deeply concerned about wandering around up there.
That said, I’m also an engineer (aeronautical) and of the mind that the Temple needs to be rebuilt (opinions differ greatly on when this would be appropriate), and that would necessitate wandering around, to some degree.
I believe the Temple will descend from heaven when it’s time, and that we only have to build the gates. But I define building gates somewhat loosely to include asserting our rights there, ending the tyranny of the Waqf. Never been to the Mount myself, though.
Your opinion is certainly a common one, and I don’t disagree with you.
I also see more traditional scenario of “build it and HE will come.”
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