contents - Description: Description: Description: Description ...

treasures of the First Temple are under the Mount, and we know exactly where they are...”
There was an unsubstantiated report that there is a lower cave, blocked by a slab, which was
discovered in 1911. It had been alleged that the Crown of David, the Sword of Solomon, the Ark
of the Covenant, the Tables of the Law, and a large amount of gold was discovered there, having
been hidden by the priests when the Temple was destroyed. It is believed that these articles were
removed, and their whereabouts are unknown.
The Israelis have been kept from rebuilding, or even doing much archaeological excavation
because of their strained relationship with the Arabs, and because the Moslems fear that such
excavations would weaken the structure of the Mosque. Others would argue that it’s because any
significant archaeological discoveries on the site would 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 selling bonds to finance its building since 1948.
The document known as the ‘Temple Scroll,’ which was part of the Dead Sea Scrolls found at
Qumran, give distinct instructions concerning the construction of the Temple, and a group
known as the Ne’emanei Har Habayit (Faithful of the Temple Mount) commissioned a model of
the Temple to be built. It has been reported that the cornerstones are already cut and ready.
Harvey A. Smith, a Jewish Assemblies of God minister, wrote in his book, that they have the
biggest and heaviest stones cut, and secretly placed under the Temple Mount behind Warren
Gate. The Temple music has even been deciphered.
After the Six-Day War, Israel Eldad, a noted historian who was interviewed by Time
magazine, said: “We are at the stage where David was when he liberated Jerusalem. From that