Page 22 - Second Temples News Today

Exodus 30: 13-16) to collect a half-shekel tax, the shekel being 20 gerah of the shekel of the sanctuary, at the time of each census. During the time of Moses there were no coins, so we understand this to mean the weight of half a shekel, according to the standards set by the sanctuary. Subsequently, it is suggested that the half-shekel was paid annually ( II Kings 12 5-17 and Nehemiah 10:32-33). In the Book of Nehemiah, it was referred to as a “third-shekel” but scholars generally belie...

The Bible mentions only three locations purchased with money. The field of Machpelah in Hebron bought by Abraham, the field near Shechem purchased by Jacob and where Joseph was later buried, and Mount Moriah, atop which was the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite, which David obtained and designated the future location of the Temple. The First Temple, built by David’s son Solomon, stood for almost four centuries before being destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar in 586 BC. Though little is known abo...

The Dome of the Rock ( Qubbat As-Sakhrah in Arabic), is one of the most important holy sites of Islam, and is the first example of really massive and permanent Islamic monumental architecture. Though commonly conceived of by westerners as a mosque, it isnt one; a mosque is a site for communal worship, and the dome is a commemorative shrine ( masshad), built on a holy site, in this case the top of the Temple Mount. Even Muslims misconceive the purpose of its construction, as most would tell yo...

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