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The Temple Mount, in Arabic Haram Ash-Sharif, is one of the most important religious sites in the Old City of Jerusalem. It has been used as a religious site for thousands of years. At least four religions are known to have used the Temple Mount: Judaism, Islam, Christianity, and Roman paganism.
Judaism regards the Temple Mount as the place where God chose the Divine Presence to rest (Isa 8:18); according to the rabbinic sages whose debates produced the Talmud, it was from here the world expanded into its present form and where God gathered the dust used to create the first man, Adam. The site is the location of Abraham's binding of Isaac, and of two Jewish Temples later destroyed, and it is here that the third and final Temple will also be built. The location is the holiest site in Judaism and is the place Jews turn towards during prayer. Due to its extreme sanctity, many Jews will not walk on the Mount itself, to avoid unintentionally entering the area where the Holy of Holies stood, since according to Rabbinical law, some aspect of the Divine Presence is still present at the site. It was from the Holy of Holies that the High Priest communicated directly with God.
Among Sunni Muslims, the Mount is widely considered to be the third holiest site in Islam. Revered as the Noble Sanctuary and the location of Muhammad's journey to Jerusalem and ascent to heaven, the site is also associated with Jewish biblical prophets who are also venerated in Islam. After the Muslim conquest of Jerusalem in 637 CE, Umayyad Caliphs commissioned the construction of the al-Aqsa Mosque and Dome of the Rock on the site. The Dome was completed in 692 CE, making it one of the oldest extant Islamic structures in the world, after the Kaabah. The Al Aqsa Mosque rests on the far southern side of the Mount, facing Mecca. The Dome of the Rock currently sits in the middle, occupying or close to the area where the Bible mandates the Holy Temple be rebuilt.
In light of the dual claims of both Judaism and Islam, it is one of the most contested religious sites in the world. Since the Crusades, the Muslim community of Jerusalem has managed the site as a Waqf, without interruption. As part of the Old City, controlled by Israel since 1967, both Israel and the Palestinian Authority claim sovereignty over the site, which remains a major focal point of the Arab-Israeli conflict. In an attempt to keep the status quo, the Israeli government enforces a controversial ban on prayer by non-Muslim visitors.
Jerusalem, Israel, 2012.IsraelTemple MountHaram AshSharifJudaismwailing wallPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.commiddle east
A Haredim holding a copy of a hand written text about Purim.
Mea Shearim, Jerusalem, Israel, 2012.IsraelMea ShearimJerusalemPurimharedijewjewishPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.commiddle east
Portrait of a Hasidim Jew.
For more on the Hasidim please visit "the people of Mea Shaerim" under the "meet the people" gallery.
Jerusalem, Israel, 2012.IsraelPalestinemiddle eastJerusalemHasidimJewJewishPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.com
Natasha 53 is a Serbian Christian nun serving in the Russian monastery on the Mount of Olives.
Natasha decided to give up her career as a pharmacist and her passion for karate and karaoke to join the monastery at the age of 41.
Jerusalem, Israel, 2012.IsraelPalestinemiddle eastJerusalemSerbian ChristianPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.com
It is a positive rabbinic precept to give two gifts for gifts to two poor people on Purim, one gift to each poor person. Even a poor person who himself subsists on charity is obligated in this requirement. This obligation can be fulfilled through any type of gift: money, food, drink, or clothing. Optimally, the gift should be substantial. If the gift is money, the amount should enable the poor person to purchase bread sufficient for at least one meal. The gifts should be given during the day of Purim rather than at night. It is proper to give them after the reading of the Megillah. One should not give these gifts from money which has been set aside for donating to charity. However, one may add a small amount to the money which was set aside and then give the larger amount to the poor so as to fulfill the obligation. Money which one has designated for giving to the poor on Purim may not be given to another charity. The obligation of giving gifts to the poor on Purim does not free a person from his general obligation to give charity. Even poor people are required to give charity at least once a year aside from their obligation to give gifts to the poor on Purim.
Boy awaits a donation during the festival of Purim.
Jerusalem, Israel, 2012.IsraelPalestinemiddle eastJerusalemPurimjewjewishPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.com
Jewish man at a cafe in the Jewish Quarter of old Jerusalem.
Israel, 2012.IsraelPalestinemiddle eastJerusalemJewish QuarterjewjewishPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.com
Today, the Wailing Wall is a part of the wall surrounding the Muslim Mosques on Temple Mount. The Western Wall is where every Jewish boy or girl would like to have thier Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah.
Boy dressed in fancy dress during the Purim festival waits whilst his father prays at the wailing wall.
Jerusalem, Israel, 2012.IsraelPalestinemiddle eastJerusalemTemple MountPurimWestern WalljewjewishPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.com
Haredim praying at the wailing wall.
Jerusalem, Israel, 2012.IsraelPalestinemiddle eastJerusalemwailing wallHaredimUltraOrthodoxjewjewishPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.com
A Hasidim Jew looks through some holy books at a street stall in the ultra-Orthodox neighbourhood of Mea Shearim,
For more on the Hasidim please visit "the people of Mea Shaerim" under the "meet the people" gallery.
Jerusalem,Israel, 2012.IsraelPalestinemiddle eastJerusalemultra OrthodoxMea ShearimHasidimjewjewishPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.com
The Rabbis of the Talmud said, "A person is obligated to drink on Purim until he can no longer distinguish between "cursed is Haman and blessed is Mordachai." This statement of the early rabbis who lived during the Talmud (about 1700-1800 years ago) had caused much concern by the later rabbis.
For more on drinking during Purim please visit "the people of Mea Shaerim" under the "meet the people" gallery.
Drunk Haredim at a synagogue in the district of Mea Shaerim during the Purim celebrations, Jerusalem, Israel, 2012.IsraelPalestinemiddle eastJerusalemTalmudMordachaiJewishJewPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.com
Muslim student walks past the school wall in the Arab Quarter.
Jerusalem, Israel, 2012.IsraelPalestinemiddle eastJerusalemPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.com
Tel Aviv was founded in 1909 by the Jewish Community of Jaffa on the outskirts of the ancient port city. The growth of Tel Aviv soon outpaced Jaffa, which had a majority Arab population at the time. Tel Aviv and Jaffa were merged into a single municipality in 1950, two years after the establishment of the State of Israel.
Tel Aviv, Israel, 2012.IsraelPalestinemiddle eastJerusalemTel AvivPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.com
The Kidron Valley is one of Jerusalem’s most sacred locales, due to its location between the Temple Mount and the Mount of Olives.
On the Mount of Olives is the world’s oldest Jewish cemetery, where it is believed the resurrection of the dead will begin when the Messiah comes. Legend has it that a miraculous bridge will span the valley at the end of time, over which the righteous will pass on their way to the Temple Mount.
Jerusalem, Israel, 2012.IsraelPalestinemiddle eastJerusalemMount of OlivesMessiahJewish cemeteryTemple MountPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.com
The Dome of the Rock is located at the visual center of a platform known as the Temple Mount. It was constructed on the site of the Second Jewish Temple, which was destroyed during the Roman Siege of Jerusalem in 70 CE.
Jerusalem, Israel, 2012.IsraelPalestinemiddle eastJerusalemDome of the RockTemple MountPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.com
The base of the section of the wailing wall seen today is from the period of the second temple, which was destroyed in the year 70AD. It's upper parts were added during later periods. The hight of the Western Wall is 18 meters, and it consists of 24 stone layers, when the lower layers are made up of larger stones. A significant part of the Western Wall is still buried beneath the surface (19 layers of stones). It is possible that the lower layers are from the period of the first temple. The height of the buried part of the Western Wall is almost as high as the visible part.
Haredim praying at the wailing wall.
Jerusalem, Israel, 2012.IsraelPalestinemiddle eastJerusalemWestern WallHaredimPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.com
Man praying at the wailing wall.
Jerusalem, Israel, 2012.IsraelPalestinemiddle eastJerusalemHaredimwailing wallPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.com
The primary custodians of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre are the Eastern Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic, and Roman Catholic Churches, with the Greek Orthodox Church having the lion's share. In the 19th century, the Coptic Orthodox, the Ethiopian Orthodox and the Syriac Orthodox acquired lesser responsibilities, which include shrines and other structures within and around the building. Times and places of worship for each community are strictly regulated in common areas.
Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, Israel, 2012.IsraelPalestinemiddle eastJerusalemGreek Orthodox ChurchChurch of the Holy SepulchreCoptic OrthodoxSyriac OrthodoxPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.com
A Haredim Jew walks past a doorway in the in the ultra-Orthodox neighbourhoodof Mea Shearim,
For more on Mea Shearim please visit the "Meet the people" gallery.
Jerusalem, Israel, 2012.IsraelPalestinemiddle eastJerusalemMea ShearimultraOrthodoxHaredimJewPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.com
Children are sometimes allowed to smoke during the Purim celebrations under the excuse of having fun.
For more on smoking and drinking during Purim please visit "the people of Mea Shaerim" under the "meet the people" gallery.
Mea Shearim, Jerusalem, Israel, 2012.IsraelPalestinemiddle eastJerusalemPurimMea ShearimJewJewishPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.com
Ajdot 18 is currently doing her military service with the IDF. She waits for the bus early in the morning at the bus station in the Arab town of Akko. From here she will travel buy public bus to the border with Lebanon where she will carry out observation duties on the hostile neighbor. Although she is required to do a minimum of two years service, Ajdot would like to go for promotion and serve for an extra two years.
Akko, Israel, 2012.IsraelPalestinemiddle eastJerusalemIDFwoman soldierIsraeli defence forcePhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.com
No one controls the main entrance at the Church of the Holy Sepulchreare. In 1192, Saladin assigned responsibility for it to the Muslim Nuseibeh family. The Joudeh Al-Goudia family were entrusted as custodian to the keys of the Holy Sepulchre by the Ottomans few hundred years later, and both families now share the responsibility. This arrangement has persisted into modern times.
Church of the Holy Sepulchreare, Jerusalem, Israel, 2012.IsraelPalestinemiddle eastJerusalemHoly SepulchrePhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.com
Aazoulig is a Moroccan Jew now leaving in Tfat and working in a small cafe selling Yemeni food.
Tfat, Israel, 2012.IsraelPalestinemiddle eastJerusalemTfatmoroccan JewPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.com
Man praying at the wailing wall.
Jerusalem, Israel, 2012.IsraelPalestinemiddle eastJerusalemwailing wallHasediUltra OrthadoxJewJewishPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.com
Egyptian Coptic Priest .
Jerusalem, Israel, 2012.IsraelPalestinemiddle eastJerusalemCoptic PriestPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.com
And they compelled one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.
Mark 15:21
Jesus fell to the ground under the weight of the heavy cross, but before he did he leaned against the wall with his hand creating an indentation. A reminder of Jesus suffering for millions of Christians
Palestinian Muslim children today walk past it on their way to school without giving it a second thought.
Via Dolorosa, Jerusalem, Israel, 2012.IsraelPalestinemiddle eastJerusalemVia DolorosaPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.com
Portrait of a young Jewish man.
Mea Shearim, Jerusalem, Israel, 2012.IsraelPalestinemiddle eastJerusalemMea ShearimJewJewishPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.com
With no TV, radio or internet the residents of Mea Shearim rely on street advertising for local news and events mostly of a religious nature.
Mea Shearim, Jerusalem, Israel, 2012.IsraelPalestinemiddle eastJerusalemMea ShearimJewJewishPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.com
Portrait of a Jewish boy.
Mea Shearim, Jerusalem, Israel, 2012.IsraelPalestinemiddle eastJerusalemMea ShearimJewJewishPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.com
The Muslim Quarter is one of the four quarters of the ancient, walled Old City of Jerusalem. It covers 31 hectares (76 acres) of the northeastern sector of the Old City. The quarter is the largest and most populous and extends from the Lions' Gate in the east, along the northern wall of the Temple Mount in the south, to the Damascus Gate—Western Wall route in the west. The Via Dolorosa starts in the quarter.The population of the Muslim Quarter is 22,000.
Palestinian man walking along the muslim quarter in Jerusalem, Israel, 2012.IsraelPalestinemiddle eastJerusalemPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.com
People praying at the wailing wall.
Jerusalem, Israel, 2012.IsraelPalestinemiddle eastJerusalemwailing wallPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.com
Mijal 18 is a serving member of the IDF. She is currently doing her military service in Jerusalem. Every day she descends the old city and patrols its streets keeping the peace between the different religious groups.
Jerusalem, Israel, 2012.IsraelPalestinemiddle eastJerusalemIDFsoldierfemale soldierIsraeli defense forcePhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.com
Ethiopian presence in Deir Sultan represents not just Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity but all African/black Christians of all denominations who value the sacred legacy that the holy places of Jerusalem represent for Christians everywhere. It represents also the affirmation of the fact that Jerusalem is the birthplace of Christianity, just as adherents of Judaism and Islam claim it also.
When a few years ago, an Ethiopian monk was asked by a writer why he had come to Jerusalem to face all the daily vicissitudes and indignities, he answered, “because it is Jerusalem.”
Ethiopian Monk at the monastery of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, Israel, 2012.IsraelPalestinemiddle eastJerusalemEthiopian Orthodox ChristianEthiopian MonkChurch of the Holy SepulchrePhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.com
Young man carrying a gun whilst enjoying a walk along one of Jerusalem’s busiest streets.
Civilians are allowed to carry guns in Israel for protection in case of a terrorist attack.
Jerusalem, Israel, 2012.IsraelPalestinemiddle eastJerusalemPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.com
Young Jewish man getting drunk on port wine during the Purim Celebrations.
For more on drinking during Purim please visit "the people of Mea Shaerim" under the "meet the people" gallery.
Jerusalem, Israel, 2012.IsraelPalestinemiddle eastJerusalemPurim CelebrationsPurimMea ShaerimJewJewishPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.com
Jewish family during the festival of Purim.
Jerusalem, Israel, 2012.IsraelPalestinemiddle eastJerusalemPurimPurim CelebrationsMea ShaerimPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.com
Jewish youth gather in a building site to watch the Purim celebrations in the street below.
For more on Purim please visit "the people of Mea Shaerim" under the "meet the people" gallery.
Mea Shearim, Jerusalem, Israel, 2012.IsraelPalestinemiddle eastJerusalemPurim CelebrationsPurimMea ShaerimPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.com
Drunk Haredim youths celebrating the festival of Purim along the streets of Mea Shearim.
For more on Purim please visit "the people of Mea Shaerim" under the "meet the people" gallery.
Mea Shearim, Jerusalem, Israel, 2012.IsraelPalestinemiddle eastJerusalemMea ShearimHaredimfestival of PurimdrunkpurimJewJewishPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.com
The Jewish quarter of Jerusalem is inhabited by around 2,000 residents and is home to numerous yeshivas and synagogues, most notably the Hurva Synagogue. After being built in 1701, destroyed, rebuilt in 1864, and destroyed in 1948, the Hurva was once again rebuilt, rededicated in 2010.
Jerusalem, Israel, 2012.IsraelPalestinemiddle eastJerusalemJewJewishPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.com
Coral 19 began her military service with the IDF a year ago. She will have to do a minimum of two years in the service as opposed to men who do three. Coral believes her job gives her the opportunity to give something back to her country. In her case this means arranging the paperwork when a fellow soldier is killed in action. Coral is very proud to be in the IDF but resents the fact that in the case of a war women don’t get to go to the front line.
Tel Aviv, Israel, 2012.IsraelPalestinemiddle eastJerusalemIDFTel AvivPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.com
Pilgrim praying at the exact spot where Jesus is believed to have been laid after being taken down from the cross.
Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, Israel, 2012.IsraelPalestinemiddle eastJerusalemChurch of the Holy SepulchrePhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.com
Yemeni Jewish man.
Tfat, Israel, 2012.IsraelPalestinemiddle eastJerusalemPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.com
With no TV, radio or internet the residents of Mea Shearim rely on street advertising for local news and events mostly of a religious nature.
Mea Shearim, Jerusalem, Israel, 2012.IsraelPalestinemiddle eastJerusalemMea ShearimJewJewishPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.com
IDF soldier waiting for the train.
Public transport is free for members of the Israel Defence Force (IDF). Trains and buses are normally full of young, armed, people in uniform moving to and from there post.
Tel Aviv, Israel, 2012.IsraelPalestinemiddle eastJerusalemIDFTel AvivPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.com
![An ancient Hebrew legend tells that the sea flooded the world and when it reached the shore of Acre it stopped short, as is written in the Book of Job (38:11) “Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further.” In the legend, the Hebrew words “Ad po” [Hitherto] become “Ad ko,” and, hence, Akko [Acre].<br />
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Akko, Israel, 2012.](https://photos.smugmug.com/Destinations/IsraelPalestine/i-4zsqtdx/1/281dea05/L/47-L.jpg)
An ancient Hebrew legend tells that the sea flooded the world and when it reached the shore of Acre it stopped short, as is written in the Book of Job (38:11) “Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further.” In the legend, the Hebrew words “Ad po” [Hitherto] become “Ad ko,” and, hence, Akko [Acre].
Akko, Israel, 2012.IsraelPalestinemiddle eastJerusalemAkkoPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.com
Muslim street vendor with Jewish people seen in the background coming and going from the wailing wall.
Muslim quarter, Jerusalem, Israel, 2012.IsraelPalestinemiddle eastJerusalemwailing wallPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.com
People praying at the wailing wall.
Jerusalem, Israel, 2012.IsraelPalestinemiddle eastJerusalemwailing wallPhotito travelphotitotraveltravel photographydocumentary photographyspencerphotographyculturewww.photito.com
