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Topic: Dome of the Rock, Location

Yitzchak Muskal wrote:

Dear Rabbi,

I heard, lately, that water is pouring from the "Foundation Stone" on the Temple Mount. What is that all about? What can we learn from it? Is there any mention of this in our sources? By the way, a friend of mine from Kochav Yaakov told me of an Arab in preparation for conversion who went to see what it's all about - and confirmed it.

Aaron from Hebron, Kentucky wrote:

Dear Rabbi,

First, let me say that I am grateful to you for providing this forum for questions and answers. I understand that recently water has begun to spring up under the Temple Mount. What might be the possible significance of such an event?


Dear Yitzchak Muskal and Aaron,

In the Messianic era, says the Talmud, a trickle of water will begin flowing from the Holy Temple. This trickle will grow and grow until it becomes a gushing river. The Talmud cites a verse in Zechariah: "On that day a spring will be opened for the House of David and for the residents of Jerusalem." See also the book of Joel that: "And it will be on that day…a fountain shall issue from the House of the L-rd."

Maharsha explains that this river symbolizes King David's dynasty: Like a river flowing on and on, David's kingship will continue forever.

Now, according to recent reports, a "mysterious" trickle of water is rumored to have begun from under "the rock" in the Moslem "Dome of the Rock" mosque on the Temple Mount.

Even if true, this may or may not be significant.

For one, the Talmud very specifically details how the trickle will emerge from the Temple, yet it's doubtful that "the Dome of the Rock" is indeed built upon the Temple site. In "Beit Hamikdash Hashlishi," Rabbi Shalom Dov Steinberg brings strong evidence that it is not. Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch, a leading Torah scholar of our day, agrees. Among other indications, electro-magnetic scans under the Temple mount reveal very deep hollows consistent with those described as having been under the Temple - these hollows however are not under the Dome of the Rock; rather they are under the clear, unbuilt section opposite the Western Wall. Interestingly, this fits with our tradition, recorded almost 2000 years ago in the Zohar, that no building will ever be built on the site of the Sanctuary except for the Temple!

Sources:

  • Yoma 77b, 78a; Maharsha, ibid.
  • Zechariah 13:1; Yoel 4:18; see also Ezekiel 47:1-12; Zechariah 14:8
  • Responsa of Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch 3:39


 
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