Entrance to the Temple Mount is heavily regulated for both Jewish and international visitors. There are eight entrances for local Muslims and one entrance provided for everyone else. You begin by entering through a small covered hallway to the right of the southern entrance in Rabinovich Square. A sign declares the Temple Mount off-limits to Jews by rabbinic authority, emphasizing its sacred and contested nature. From here, you proceed past lockers to store all excess belongings, including any religious material, before ascending stairs to a security checkpoint where you pass through a metal detector and place personal items into a scanning machine.
Beyond this guard shack lies the front end of the wooden ramp that ascends to the Mount itself. As you climb, you come near the southwestern corner and close to the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Upon entering, remnants of ancient columns attributed to Herod’s era capture your attention. These columns, described in historical records as grand and imposing, once supported the Temple’s elaborate structure. Some traditions suggest their immense size could allow three individuals to encircle them with
outstretched arms.
Read the full article here: Issue 43