Temple Mount Tour

Nov 5, 2026 - Entrance to the Western Wall Heritage Center. (מרכז מורשת הכותל) at 8:30 AM

Tour via the Halachic Route    (scroll to bottom for more  details) 

Temple Mount is probably one of the most controversial places in the world, with a 3,000 year history of conquests and monumental building and holiness claimed by the 3 monotheistic religions

Tradition holds that under the Dome of the Rock on Temple Mount is the Foundation Stone, the rock from which the world was created, where the Ark of the Covenant was placed and where the High Priest conducted the services on Yom Kippur.. For 2,000 years, our prayers have turned towards this very spot. It was here that King Solomon built the First Temple, a beacon of wisdom, drawing leaders from distant lands. The Hasmoneans purified and rededicated the Temple, restoring its sanctity. Herod the Great expanded the Second Temple, transforming it into a magnificent edifice.

Experiencing the Mount:

We will start with a panoramic view of Temple Mount, understanding how its topography influenced its construction and pilgrimage. We will enter through the Mughrabi Bridge, placing us near the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock. We will visualize the Temple's rituals, including the Levites' singing and the dramatic entrance of the High Priest  into the Holy of Holi.  We will walk in the footsteps of the brave paratroopers who liberated the Temple Mount in 1967 and cite from Brigadier General Rabbi Goren’s address to the soldiers.

Archaeological Insights:

In addition to Halachic considerations, we will explore the archaeological evidence that helps us identify key locations on the Mount. Using the Mishna in Masechet Middot, which describes the precise measurements and layout of the Second Temple, we will analyze where the Azarah (Temple Courtyard) was located and which areas were considered most sacred. The Azarah included the Ezrat Yisrael (Israelite Courtyard), Ezrat Kohanim (Priestly Courtyard), and the area leading up to the Kodesh HaKodashim (Holy of Holies)—all of which are strictly off-limits today. Our route ensures that we remain outside these holy zones, following both historical and Halachic research.

Extending the Exploration: As an option, we can continue visit Davidson’s Archaeological Park to explore the Southern Wall,  the Hulda Gates and ritual purification pools.

Tour Details

Meet: Entrance to the Western Wall Heritage Center. (מרכז מורשת הכותל)  November 5, 2026 8:30 AM

Duration: 2-3 hours

Cost: NIS 100 per person. Admission to Davidson Archaeological Park (NIS 40 per person) is not included and is to be paid separately at the entrance.

The Halachic Route

We will be ascending the Temple Mount following the Halachic route, in accordance with the rulings of prominent rabbis who permit entry under specific conditions. This means we will remain in the permitted areas along the eastern, southern, and northern perimeters, while strictly avoiding the central platform where the Dome of the Rock stands—believed to be the site of the Holy of Holies—as well as the inner courtyards of the Temple