The U.S. State Department on Tuesday blasted Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s suggestion to build a shul on Har Habayis, warning that such a move could dangerously disrupt the fragile status quo.
The proposed shul “on the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount” would show “blatant disregard for the historic status quo with respect to the holy sites in Jerusalem,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement. He added that Ben-Gvir’s “reckless statements and actions” were exacerbating tensions during a time when Israel needs unity against external threats from Iran and its proxy groups, including Hamas and Hezbollah. “They directly undermine Israel’s security,” Miller warned.
“Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Office has made clear that the actions and statements of Minister Ben-Gvir are inconsistent with the government of Israel’s policy,” Miller said, calling on the Israeli government to adhere to the longstanding arrangement.
The condemnation from the US came after Ben-Gvir said in a Monday interview with Israel’s Army Radio that Jewish prayer is allowed on Har Habayis and affirmed his intention to build a shul there. His remarks prompted a swift rebuttal from the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office, which emphasized that policy regarding Har Habayis is determined by the government and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “There is no change to the status quo,” the Prime Minister’s Office reiterated.
Under the status quo established after Israel recaptured the Old City of Jerusalem in 1967, Jews are permitted to visit Har Habayis but are not allowed to daven there.
Ben-Gvir’s comments also drew condemnation from Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and other Muslim-majority nations.
Tuesday’s edition of the Hebrew-language Yated newspaper also called out Ben-Gvir, stating clearly on its front page that it is assur gamur for Jews to go onto Har Habayis, and that Ben-Gvir is putting all Israelis at risk with his inflammatory and anti-halacha statements and demands.
Gedolei HaPoskim throughout the ages including Gedolei Hador Shlita today have ruled it is absolutely forbidden to visit Har Habayis, even if one does so in line with Halacha including tevila. This is also the ruling of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel. This is an Issur Kares.
Fifteen years ago on Sukkos, then President Shimon Peres paid a visit to the Sukka of the late Posek Hador, 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)
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16 Responses
Issur gamur even if done in line with halacha? Sounds like this needs to be explained.
Who is Ben-Gvir’s דעת-תורה who gave him permission to set foot on the הר-הבית notwithstanding פרשת פרה?
I’m not a huge fan of Ben Gvir, and I do not go up to Har Habayis, על פי עצת גדולי הדור. However, “upsetting the historic status quo” is not a good reason not to build a shul there. If people are going to go up there, I say let them daven there. And if it offends the arabs, so be it.
Ben-Gvir is a Rodef.
There’s a saying in business, “If you build it, they will come”. Let’s see if the psak will stick, if they build it.
While it is important to publicize the issur for Jews to go onto the Temple Mount, it is also important to note the absurdity of the US government mixing in to what we do in OUR land in our HOLIEST place, just because the apartheid Muslims prohibit Jews from praying there.
Imagine if we built a shtibel in the center of Mecca (lihavdil) and forbade Muslims from praying in the area.
If the קדושה is residual then you should eat מעשר שני up there even now and שמיטה should apply מן התורה.
I love how YWN says “even if done in line with Halacha”, and then it’s also right after “This is an issur Kares”.
If it’s done in line with Halacha, how is it an issur Kares?
The shul would require a mikva as well. If the supreme court would insist on a woman Rabbi for the shul, they will need 2 mikvaos.
If Ben Gvir is a rodef, then all zionists and pro Israelis are rodfim. Same thing.
We need NK, once and for all.
How can you call NK goyim and curse them, and then say Ben Gvir is a rodef??
THE WORDS OF THE NETZIV
“וראוי לדעת שכמו בחרבן בית ראשון שהיה עיקרו בשביל עבודת כוכבים כמבואר בפ’ נצבים וביומא ד”ט, היו ראשי המחטיאים גדולי תורה, כך חרבן בית שני שהגיע ע”י שנאת חנם, ועיקרו היה אהבת ממון יותר מדאי כדתניא בתוספתא שלהי מנחות, ומזה הגיעו לשפיכות דמים בהיתר כמו שבארנו בס’ במדבר ס”פ ל”ה, היו ג”כ עיקר המחטיאים את הרבים ת”ח גדולי תורה, שעליהם צווחה תורה בשירת האזינו עם נבל ולא חכם וכאשר יבואר שם, …ועדיין הוא מרקד בינינו”
(הרחב דבר דברים פרשת ואתחנן ד:יד)
The ספר החינוך permits a tevul yom to go up on the הר הביית in Mitzvah 362 . That should be a sufficient.
The Hebrew flyer’s claim that הדבר ידוע כי לדעת כל פוסקי ההלכה היהודית לכל דורותיהם… is a lie. On the contrary, in the Rambam’s day there was a shul on Har Habayis, and the Rambam himself went there and davened.
Beg mercy from HKBH not from Hamas/Iran. Having said that I’m not sure we have זכות to stand up to our enemies.
Provoking without standing up is even worse.
Millhouse, the Rambam ruled that it is forbidden to ascend the Har Habayis. Many argue that the letter where it says that the Rambam had a shul on the Har Habayis is a forged document and that the shul was located near the Har Habayis.
Happy new year, Jews defending themselves against their enemies who come to destroy us doesn’t mean they are also allowed to go against the rulings of the majority of rishonim and of the current gedolim who paskened that it is forbidden to go up to up to the Har Habayis. In fact, even the poskim of the right wingers, such as Rav Kook, zt”l paskened that it is forbidden to ascend the Har Habayis.