FINAL WARNING: The Shining Star
prove Israel’s ancient claim to the Mount. Because of the lack of any
substantial information, there is even a lot of doubt as to where on the
Temple Mount the sanctuary was actually located.Father Bellarmino Bagatti, A Franciscan researcher, published a report
in 1979, that, based on measurements and information in ancient
documents, the Temple was located on the southern end of the Mount
between the Dome of the Rock, and the al-Aqsa Mosque, and seems to
be supported by the existence of underground reservoirs and tunnels.
The Holy of Holies is believed to be located over the Al Kas
Foundation.Dr. Ze’ev Yeiven, and Dr. Asher Kaufman believe that Arab
construction on the northern end exposed an ancient wall near the
Dome of the Rock, which is believed to be the eastern wall of the
Temple’s Court of Women. Of particular interest is an exposed area of
rock in an open area of the Mount, about 330 feet north of the Dome of
the Rock, which is covered by a small building (cupola), known as the
Qubbat el-Arwah (Dome of the Spirits), which is on an east-west
alignment with the Eastern Gate and the Mount of Olives. It is also
called the Qubbat el-Alouah (Dome of the Tablets), because it is
believed that this was the location of the Holy of Holies in the original
Temple, where the Ark of the Covenant was placed. If this is true, that
means that the Temple can be rebuilt without disturbing the Arab site,
because the Mosque, which takes up an area of 34 acres, would
actually be separated from most of the Temple foundation by many
feet of rubble. Proponents of this theory claim they have identified the
area on the Mount of Olives which was used for the sacrifice of the
Red Heifer, which further indicates that the Temple was not on the site
of the Dome of the Rock.Ernest Martin, a scholar, and author of many books, said that the
Temple was built over the Gihon Spring.Some Orthodox Jews believe that before the Temple can be rebuilt,
both the Dome of the Rock and the al-Aqsa Mosque would have to be
removed, because their presence defiles the sacred ground.Before the Six-Day War, a quarter-page ad appeared in the Washington
Post, seeking aid for the rebuilding of the Temple. They have been