Police have informed Rabbi Yisrael Ariel, who heads the Machon HaMikdash, that he is banned from visiting Har HaBayis.
On Rosh Chodesh Tammuz a group led by the rav’s machon visited Har HaBayis but when they got to the gate, the police sentries informed him they are not permitted to let him pass. They did not explain in detail, simply telling him that he is not permitted to pass.
The reason for the ban against the rav, one of the soldiers who merited liberating the Kosel in the June 1967 Six Day War appears to be connected to a visit to Har HaBayis about a month ago when a large group visited in honor of the 45th anniversary of the liberation, coinciding with Yom Yerushalayim.
The group davened on Har HaBayis during the visit in violation of the directive of the Islamic Waqf. The directive is enforced by Israel Police. At the time, police wished to arrested MK (Ichud HaLeumi) Dr. Michael Ben-Ari, but he explained they cannot since he has parliamentary immunity. Nevertheless, a number of days later, when he visited Har HaBayis again, Ben-Ari was detained as was reported by YWN-ISRAEL.
The decision was made to ban Rabbi Ariel from Har HaBayis as well, as it appears he was davening too. In addition, Chaim Odem, 66, a resident of Ofrah in Shomron, was arrested today, 1 Tammuz 5772 for reciting portions of mishnayos Midos during that visit, explaining measurements of the Beis HaMikdosh to person in the group.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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5 Responses
its just like tisha baav all year round, Hashem is sending a message. especially in this time, lets think of achdus (not 50 different siyumim for the siyum hashas)
don’t understand:
If he could not be arrested since he has parliamentary immunity, why can’t that very parliamentary immunity protect him and exclude him from being banned from going up to Har HaBaiyit?
Hashem’s ways are unfathomable… The Zionist police did as the Gedolim said, unwittingly of course.
According to Rashi and Tosfos the Beis Hamikdash will come down in fire from heaven.
According to the Ram”bam it may be that Moshiach will rebuild it.
In any case, trying to take things in our own hands on these matters before Moshiach comes shows a terrible lack of Emuna in H”kbh’s promise to send Moshiach.
Isn`t it that Mashiyach is born in every generation? Rav Yisrael Ariel may or my not be Melech ha Mashiyach, but his such a tzaddiyq in uplifting every Jew`s consciousness to Har Moriah and Beit Ha Mikdash- that the time is (could be) now!
Am Yisrael chai! Am Yisrael chai!