Unacceptable provocation

[geek tragedy]

http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/unacceptable-provocation/

I’m sure (or at least I hope) that in most cases, it’s about the desire to pray as close to Israel’s holiest site as possible. The problem is that there is another religion in control up there that will not have it. For many reasons. Some of which should be understood — even to those of us who believe that we have the right to be up there.

Imagine for a moment if the situation were reversed. We finally had a Parah Adumah and the Beis HaMikdash was rebuilt. Somehow the Muslims were in control of the State of Israel and we lived there as second-class citizens (which is how Muslims traditionally treat Jews that live in their countries). But we were now in control of Har HaBayis.

Imagine if a devout Muslim wanted to pray in the Azarah — close to the Kodesh HaKadoshim (Holy of Holies in the Beis HaMikdash), which they too believe is holy. We wouldn’t allow it. If they forced their way up there and prayed close to the Holy of Holies, would that not upset us? It would be an outrage! We would surely be as upset at them as they are now at us.

This of course does not justify the violence. But I hope it at least illustrates why they are so upset by a Jew praying on the Temple Mount. They know we are in charge overall, and that our military might could easily enable us to take over Har HaBayis. They see people alighting in that area who have sworn to destroy their holy mosque and build their own holy house of prayer. Of course they are going to be upset by that.

Going up there even for religious reasons (especially for those reasons from their perspective) is a major provocation and threat to them! This is not the time to do this. Firstly, because most poskim (rabbinic authorities) don’t approve, and, more importantly, there is no productive end to it. There is no way that we are going to get back Har HaBayis before Moshiach comes. Any attempt to assert our rights there serves only to antagonize the devout Muslims praying up there — which ultimately incites them to be even more violent.

[oberliner]

1. The situation was reversed

From 1948-1967 the Old City of Jerusalem was occupied by Jordan, which denied all Jews access to the city.

The Jewish Quarter and its ancient synagogues were systematically destroyed such as the Hurva Synagogue and gravestones from the Jewish Cemetery on the Mount of Olives were used to build latrines for Jordanian army barracks

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordanian_occupation_of_the_West_Bank

[geek tragedy]

2. and no doubt there are Israelis who would like to return the favor nt

[oberliner]

5. And yet they haven't

Israel has been infinitely more respectful turning over control of the Muslim holy sites to Muslims and forbidding Jews from most of them.

[geek tragedy]

6. they haven't, yet, but the settler and religoius zionist extremists

Last edited Tue Oct 13, 2015, 02:36 PM - Edit history (3)

are gaining power and influence.

There are some rightwing supporters of Israel right here on this forum who think Israel should be able to erect a synagogue on the mosque grounds up there. And they try to act sane, lord knows what's cooking in the minds of Israel's rightwing crazies.

They've already managed to establish an apartheid state in the West Bank.

Complacency is not an error Palestinians are going to be inclined to commit.

[Mosby]

3. This guy is an orthodox jew

And he is entitled to his opinion but it seems kind of odd that you're posting his essay here.

[geek tragedy]

4. if he can empathize with Palestinians as human

beings despite being Orthodox, why can't you?

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

7. More...

So as much as I believe we have every right to pray up there, I protest against anyone who decides to do it before Moshiach comes. Nothing will be gained except a lot of Jews getting hurt — in some cases seriously. Not to mention the Halachic problems with it. Or a world watching that will see this as a bunch of religious fanatics from an occupying force causing trouble for the poor underdog Palestinians.

For the time being we should be satisfied with what we do have. The Kotel — which is the closest non-controversial point to the Makom HaMkidash. This is the site that is almost universally approved for all Jews to visit and pray. If the Religious Zionist zealots would stop provoking them by going up there, I’m sure that there would not be any protests on Sukkos — protests that are quite scary. Especially for little children.