June 17

Today was a day filled with contrasts.

First we went to the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock. It was interesting but not a place I would like to return.

We did learn that the Dome of the Rock is virtually certain to be in location of the Holy of Holies and that the whole area is the Second Temple area that most of us are familiar with. We stood in the area that was probably the Court of the Gentiles. The area is quite large.

We left there and went to the Western (Wailing) Wall and the contrast was significant. This was one of the days of the week that Bar Mitzvahs are held. The whole area resounded with celebration, drums, shofars and excitement.

We then went to the archeological site outside the Southern Wall and learned much about the Second Temple, which was the temple in the time of Christ.

Here is a photo of my son Don and me in front of the Western Wall.

These are photos of Bar Mitzvahs. The excitement and tears of the young man in the second photo brought tears to my eyes.

These are photos of what is said to be stones thrown from the Temple when it was destroyed by Titus in 70 AD and the depression made on the road when they were dropped to the ground. The excavated rock pile was much higher and ran along the entire length of the wall. These rocks were left by the archeologist to illustrate what happened. This road is also an original road from the time of Christ.

Finally, I came across this gentleman at the Western Wall. He looks like a younger brother of Tevye of Fiddler on the Roof.