The Temple Mount: Physical Connections
The Temple Mount today currently consists mainly of the Al-Aqsa mosque and the Dome of the Rock. Sunni Muslims generally believe that Muhammad made his night journey to Jerusalem and ascended to Heaven from this location, making it the third holiest site in Sunni Islam. It exists superimposed onto prior histories and prior structures. Herod's temple stood there, and millennia of Jewish heritage and memories exist there. So why would a secular Israeli Jew feel a connection to the Temple Mount today?
Menachem Magidor wrote an article titled "The Temple Mount- A Personal Account" in which he walks the reader through his attachment to the location. In summary, he feels close to the Temple Mount for two reasons. First, because he was raised Jewish with a connection to Jewish heritage and history. Second, because it is still a magnificent physical site despite not having religious importance to himself. Magidor asserts, "In spite of my atheistic attitude I could not resist sharing the ecstasy and reverence felt by the multitude gathered in the Temple about two millennia ago. This statement demonstrates that Magidor shares a connection with what he views as his history. He goes on to discuss that while he would have found some of their rituals immoral, he still shares a bond with that community despite a massive amount of time passed. He felt this connection from a young age when he was brought up with strong Jewish heritage. When he was able to visit in 1967 after Israel occupied the Old City, he claims that he felt even stronger even though the site was dominated by Muslim residents. Regarding the presence of Islam as a dominating religion of the site, Magidor was not bothered at all but in fact moved by seeing multiple histories combined together.
Magidor addresses the question, "Does a modern secular Israeli like me need pilgrimage?" To this, he essentially answers that a physical connection with a place is important for anyone, as it is just how people's minds work. For him, being at the Temple Mount is almost a surreal experience as he feels almost as a time traveler, able visit a very ancient past of his people. Because of this, he views trips to the Temple Mount as a non-religious act, one that a secular person could enjoy and treasure. It is certainly interesting to consider how people of all beliefs find value in physical places for different reasons.
Menachem Magidor wrote an article titled "The Temple Mount- A Personal Account" in which he walks the reader through his attachment to the location. In summary, he feels close to the Temple Mount for two reasons. First, because he was raised Jewish with a connection to Jewish heritage and history. Second, because it is still a magnificent physical site despite not having religious importance to himself. Magidor asserts, "In spite of my atheistic attitude I could not resist sharing the ecstasy and reverence felt by the multitude gathered in the Temple about two millennia ago. This statement demonstrates that Magidor shares a connection with what he views as his history. He goes on to discuss that while he would have found some of their rituals immoral, he still shares a bond with that community despite a massive amount of time passed. He felt this connection from a young age when he was brought up with strong Jewish heritage. When he was able to visit in 1967 after Israel occupied the Old City, he claims that he felt even stronger even though the site was dominated by Muslim residents. Regarding the presence of Islam as a dominating religion of the site, Magidor was not bothered at all but in fact moved by seeing multiple histories combined together.
Magidor addresses the question, "Does a modern secular Israeli like me need pilgrimage?" To this, he essentially answers that a physical connection with a place is important for anyone, as it is just how people's minds work. For him, being at the Temple Mount is almost a surreal experience as he feels almost as a time traveler, able visit a very ancient past of his people. Because of this, he views trips to the Temple Mount as a non-religious act, one that a secular person could enjoy and treasure. It is certainly interesting to consider how people of all beliefs find value in physical places for different reasons.
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