Last Thursday we began our weekend by travelling through the Old City of Jerusalem. We started our morning seated on the roofs of Jewish houses and the Arab market. As we looked around we were able to see the holiest place for Christians, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and The Dome of the Rock, which is built on the temple mount (mount Moriah: binding of Isaac took place there and in Islam where Ishmael was taken to be sacrificed). Because of all these different religious holy sites, Jerusalem is known for its conflict, however, it is also known for its stories of co-existence.
We then travelled to what used to be the Northernmost point of Jerusalem during the 1st temple period. This is where the ruins of an extremely successful defensive wall (Broad wall) built by King Hezekiah is located. After, we continued to walk through the streets until we found the heart of the city, The Cardo. The Cardo was the marketplace where pilgrims could buy animals like pigeons for sacrifice at the Beit Hamikdash. It was also a place similar to the shuk where local Roman jews sung songs, conversed and bought various products. Today, there are still holes in the walls were beams for tents were placed.
After, we travelled to the Herodian Quarter. This is where the luxurious, Hellenized-Jews, that were a part of upper-class families in the times of Herod lived. They were also known as the Tzdokim (Sadducees). We were able to identify that this is where they lived because in the houses (mansions) we visited in the Davidson center, they all had huge basements, mosaic floors which had imported color tiles, bath’s (meaning they could afford for someone to bring them water), their own Mikveh which had to be filled from a natural water source (some had more than one), beautifully designed columns that had roman influence, fresco (plaster wall paintings) and reception halls. They also had stone tables which were very expensive and were the first pieces of furniture from the Second Temple period ever found. They also were super easy to clean which made it less challenging for them to keep kosher. Although these were Jewish households, these houses had extreme roman influences.
After, we walked to the southern wall. This is where thousands of pilgrims during the three harvest holidays (Sukkot, Pesach, Shavuot) would climb the steps with their sacrifice and sing Psalms of Shir Hamaalot. Each step they would say a different one, starting with the one which can be recognised in the Birkas Hamazon which means return to Zion. In order to actually enter the temple, you would travel up the right side of the stairs and leave on the left unless you were mourning or excommunicated for your community. This created a Kehilah because it highlighted who needed more personalised prayers. You were ordered to say to a mourner, “ He who rests in this house should comfort you.”
But why should we care about the destroyed second temple or even the Old City? Why is it called the epicentre of the Jewish people? Because this is where so much of our history is, as well as its constant influence on our present day synagogues. Such as the reasoning why we have the eternal light, why we dress the Torah with a breastplate and bells, this is because the priests used to wear breastplates and put bells on the bottom of their robes. Also, most importantly as Rick Rekt beautifully said in his song The Hope, “Our hearts turn to the east, yah!” during prayers because that is where the Beit Hamikdash ( Dome of the Rock) is located.
Do you think that the Beit Hamikdash still has influence on your synagogue even though it is destroyed? What is your opinion on the mourners and people who have been excommunicated having to walk up on the other side of the steps to the Beit Hamikdash?
Beginning of class sitting on top of the roofs of jewish homes and the Arab market
Adama picture with The Dome of the Rock in the backround
Columns from The Cardo
Classmates placing their hand on Southern Wall (the former southern side of the Second Temple)
Beginning of class sitting on top of the roofs of jewish homes and the Arab market
Adama picture with The Dome of the Rock in the backround
Columns from The Cardo
Classmates placing their hand on Southern Wall (the former southern side of the Second Temple)
I don't think it is appropriate to single out those who are excommunicated or mourning. What they would want most is to be part of a community and feel equal. The Bait Hamikdash still has an influence on us as a people because we face it to pray and it is still the holiest place for our people. Though we have found other ways to adapt our religion without being with the Bait Hamikdash.
ReplyDeleteI definitely believe the Beit Hamikdash has an affect on my temple at home, especially in its structure. For example, the eternal flame that burns above the ark is a legacy of the temple. Furthermore, the bima as well as the ark are reminiscent of it. Finally, my temple at home also faces the Beit Hamikdash, which affects its structure on the most basic level of its building process. As for the mourners and excommunicated people, I do not believe it is moral for them to have to walk up on the other side to the Beit Hamikdash. Just as it is beneficial for some people to immerse themselves in prayer while in mourning, it is also important to surround yourself with a community. By isolating those in mourning, it is counterproductive to their mourning process.
ReplyDeleteI do think that the Best Hamikdash still has a very big influence on my synagogue even though it has ben destroyed. During many of our prayers during services, we face the direction of where the Beit Hamikdash once stood. That in of itself is pretty incredible to say the least. I think that it is a good idea to have the mourners and those who have been excommunicated walk up the other side. For the mourners I think it would be good because they would have a lot of people asking them how they are doing/feeling. As for those who have been excommunicated, it is good because people can surround themselves in community.
ReplyDeleteI think that the Beit Mikdash set a good foundation for Judaism and did a lot for the people living at the time. I think that having a center for the Jewish community during that time period was crucial for the Jewish people and allowed for them to feel like they had a purpose. However, I think that today, Judaism (especially reform Judaism) gives us the opportunity to understand that Judaism is so much more than just going to a temple, but that it's about values and community. Sacrifice especially does not pertain to today's Judaism, but we are still able to be just as Jewish with our own form of religion that means something important and different to everyone. I think its cool that people who need extra support from the community are given the opportunity to stand out and receive the support they deserve and need.
ReplyDeleteThe Beit Hamikdash definitely still has an influence on my life. The traditions from the time of the Temple are incorporated into the way I practice Judaism. In my synagogue, our Torah has a breastplate on it and a ner tamid hanging above the ark. I sing Shir Hamaalot during Birkat here and at camp. In my opinion, I think it was a really good thing that the mourners and people who had been excommunicated walked against the flow of the crowd. It allowed them to get the special healing attention that they needed, which would have allowed them to reintegrate back into the society.
ReplyDeleteThere's no doubt that the beit hamikdash influences the modern synagogue. In my congregation we have a large menorah symbolizing that of the beit hamikdash. And much like the second temple we have a ner tamid. Obviously it's a light, not a gigantic brazier/hearth type thing but it's the symbolism that counts.
ReplyDeleteIt's good that the excommunicated stand out for the sake of sympathy. However in Judaism we preach equality so I think everyone should face the same experience while entering that southern gate. However Judaism is very personal and people need variety. The mourners and all those excommunicated deserve the best and this variety is just what they need.
I believe that the Beit Hamikdash definitely has influence on modern day synagogues. For example some symbols, (such as a menorah, or torah decorations) have remained constant throughout the ages, that undoubtedly became traditions due to their former existence in the Beit Hamikdash time period. Although some might say the using of a different side to enter the Beit Hamikdash for mourners and those excommunicated is forceful and embarrassing, (which some may have found it at the time), I think it is a sign of the community and support amongst the people. It is also a sign of the judaic aspect of prayer for one another, rather than it being solely individual.
ReplyDeleteThe Beit Hamikdash has various influences on synagogues today. Specifically, many symbols inside of modern synagogues have parallels to things that were inside of the Beit Hamikdash. For example, the way the torah scrolls are set up in modern temples today is similar to the way they were set up in the Beit Hamikdash. I think that the people who have to go on a different side of the Beit Hamikdash creates a sense of community or kehillah because it gives off a more personal reason of who is going to the Beit Hamikdash to pray. It shows the people who will be praying more than others based off of if they are mourning or if they were excommunicated.
ReplyDeleteThe Beit Hamikdash deffinitly still has a big influence on synagogues today. For certain prayers we all rise, and face the direction in which the Beit Hamikdash used to stand. We also still have many symbols such as the menorah, star of david, and decorations for the torah. I have mixed feelings about mourners and excommunicated people walking up the left side and down the second. It could feel extremely emberrassing having everyone watching you since you clearly stand out of the crowd, or it can help with the fact that people can see you're in mourning, and that way they can mourn with you.
ReplyDeleteThe Best HaMikdash definitely still has an impact on synagogues today. The symbols, the star of David, the menorah, and the eternal light that shines in. most synagogues across the world. I think that those who were excommunicated/ in mourning having to go to a different side of the wall is a very good idea, it creates a sense of community of others in mourning, and offers support for each other.
ReplyDeleteThe Beit Hamikdash has a huge influence on my temple and other temples all around the world. All the symbols are similar and such. I think that mourner should do whatever they feel in order to support themselves.
ReplyDeleteI think that the Beit Hamikdash still has a great influence on our synagogue even though it is destroyed a little bit less than 2,000 years ago. One of the modern example of the Beit Hamikdash influencing our synagogue is that during certain prayers, we stand up and face Jerusalem. Even though it may be awkard, I think that its a great idea to have the mourners and people who have been excommunicated of having to walk up on the other side of the steps to the Beit Hamikdash as it sets a feeling of a community. Even though people may be looking at you differently, your praying with people who have the same beliefs as you; making it a lot more comfortable and less awkward.
ReplyDeleteI believe the Beit Hamikdash although destroyed thousands of years ago, still has a great influence over our lives today. After the Beit Hamikdash was destroyed, we decided to stop sacrificing animals. Instead of sacrifices, we created the Amidah. If the second temple was never destroyed we might still be sacrificing to god. Also, I do not necessarily agree with the idea of mourners walking on the other side. I think people who are mourning and excommunicated should be included as much as possible so they do not bring attention onto themselves. It is in a mourners best interest to not "exclude" them from the community, rather have them walk besides you.
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