In an effort to get a firsthand look at the religious discrimination on Har Habayis against Jews, US Congressmen Ron DeSantis (R-Florida) and Dr. Andy Harris (R-Maryland) visited, led by officials of the Temple Institute. They wished to see what it is like for Jews who face religious discrimination by officials from the Islamic Waqf, who prohibit them to recite any tefilos.
The congressman entered with the Jews to feel the experience, compelled to use a certain gate and follow a limited route. They were escorted by the head of the institute’s head of international affairs, Rabbi Chaim Richmen.
Dozens of Jews accompanied the congressman after they prepared in accordance with Halacha, wishing to visit on Pesach Sheni. The US officials got a firsthand look at what it feels like for Jews on the Mount, and the disdain exhibited towards them by Warf officials. The congressmen indicated they would raise the matter in their upcoming meeting with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.
It must be noted that according to the Poskei Hador one is absolutely forbidden to visit the Har Habayis, and there is an Issur Kares for one that goes there.
Five years ago on Sukkos, President Shimon Peres paid a visit to the Sukka of Maran HaGaon Rav Elyashiv ZATZAL, where Rav Elyashiv called on the President to prevent Jews from visiting Har Habayis, stating it is an act that that is viewed as extremely provocative by the goyim. Maran stated everything possible must be done to avoid a religious war, and the provocateurs are playing with fire.
Maran is quoted as explaining to the president that Halacha forbids going onto Har Habayis but today, it is more than this, it is an act that may lead to a religious war and bloodshed.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
Join the official YWN WhatsApp status
7 Responses
Right here a clear example. The dati -mizrachi community disobeying a clear isur to go in the hat habais. But regular mitzvahs like torah learning are so unimportant that they voted to make it illegal. Wake up all those that believe in mizrachi.
Correction: Many poskim (probably most) say that one shouldn’t go to Har Habayit today without a reason. Should we wish to go and start bringing korbanot again, we can go up impure and bring temidim and a korban pesach even without a beit hamikdash and without the Parah Adumah. Tumah is mevatel berabim.
Of course, since our purpose nowadays is in order to strengthen our hold on holy sites (which is still very important), most poskim (not all) agree that despite the importance of the matter, it is still not a good enough reason to go on har habayit. But there are minority opinions who allow it, so I will not go on Har Habayit, but I am not against those who do.
Getzel – “A clear Issur”? Just for arguments sake, aren’t you familiar with the Raavad who wrote that Har HaBayit has no more Kedusha?! We may not practically follow that, but you have no idea of what “a clear Issur” looks like!
The picture above should make any sensitive Jew cringe and cry for chillul kvod shomayim. Without getting into technical aspects of halacha- women (Jewish or not) clothed inappropriately- on the grounds of the Mikdosh….. No planned political gain has ever come from chillul Hashem- it is never worthwhile to legitimize bazaar means to get to worthless ends.
Hashem Yrachem
there are halachic authorities who allow ascending Har HaBayit nowadays with certain conditions being met, such restricting himself to certain areas and to immerse properly in a mikvah prior to going, and adhering to the laws relating to mora mikdash, showing awe and reverence.
The fact that the israeli government was mafkir har habait to the wakf and prevents jews who ascend to open their mouths in prayers is rightfully seen by the nationalists as a grave injustice to the the jewish people and an infringement of our religious freedom.
“The congressmen indicated they would raise the matter in their upcoming meeting with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.”
The Obama Administration beat them to it. In last year’s religious freedom report, the US State Department complained as follows:
“A government policy since 1967, repeatedly upheld by the Supreme Court and routinely enforced by the police, who cite security concerns, denies non-Muslim worship and prayer at the Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif. While the government ensures limited access to the Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif to everyone regardless of religious belief, only Muslims are allowed to pray at the site, although their access is occasionally restricted due to security concerns. The Israel National Police regulates traffic in and out of the compound and removes non-Muslim visitors if they appear to be praying. The Jordanian-controlled Jerusalem Islamic Waqf that manages the site generally restricts non-Muslims from entering the Dome of the Rock shrine and Al-Aqsa Mosque, a practice it started in the year 2000. The Waqf does not allow non-Muslim religious symbols to be worn on the Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif.”
This year’s report is scheduled to be released Monday.
“The dati -mizrachi community disobeying a clear isur to go in the hat habais.”
Not so clear at all. There are very distinguished rabbis who say that it is a *mitzvah* to ascend under the conditions that #5 ThinkingCap mentions.
In this manner for political gain.
Do u realize our great grandparent would fast and repent before going up on this site?