| Multiple, irrefutable flaws void claims that Judaism's | | | | regarding the impact of Olivet contours in these |
| Temple in Jerusalem was located at the present | | | | analyses. |
| mosque, The Dome of the Rock. Convincing evidence | | | | ALL ASHES POURED-OUT AT THE MIPHKAD |
| from Mt. of Olives contours demonstrate vital | | | | ALTAR |
| importance of the Law of the Red Heifer in such | | | | The Miphkad Altar was located at the spot on the |
| analyses. Details about Temple articles, cubit lengths, | | | | Mount of Olives where ALL burnt offerings as well as |
| archaeological finds and "threshingfloor" function bring | | | | ALL ashes and scorched remains, etc. from the |
| emphatic evidence to force an obvious conclusion on | | | | sacrifices at the Temple Altar were "poured out." |
| this question. | | | | These ashes were to "naturally pour down" toward |
| TWO RIVAL THEORIES | | | | the Temple. Whereas, from evidence of Centerists' |
| Various scholars challenge Asher Kaufman's | | | | positions on that same map for the kohain and the |
| conclusion that the Holy of Holies was located at the | | | | Miphkad Altar, the ashes would most certainly not |
| present position on the Temple Mount identified as the | | | | "naturally pour down" toward the Temple. In fact, they |
| Dome of the Tablets. That point is about 100 meters | | | | would just stream downhill in an indiscriminate direction, |
| northwest of the "traditional" Temple position at the | | | | if anything - southeastwardly and away from the |
| Dome of the Rock. Despite the amount and quality of | | | | Temple! (Ref. Ex. 29:14, Lev. 4:11 - 12, 16:27 - Yoma 68 |
| evidence, overwhelmingly convincing in favor of | | | | and Zebahim 105b) |
| Kaufman's analysis, two respected scholars, Dr. Leen | | | | ABUNDANCE OF FAULTS IN THE DOME OF THE |
| Ritmeyer and Dr. David Jacobson, - identified as | | | | ROCK SITE |
| "Central Theorists" - insist the traditional site at the | | | | Middoth 2:3 states that all Temple steps were half a |
| Dome of the Rock is authentic. The fundamental | | | | cubit in height. Using Ritmeyer's Royal cubit would result |
| argument involves conclusions of each scholar | | | | in Temple steps being 10 to 11 in. high. Anthropological |
| concerning exact location of the Shethiyah; i.e., the | | | | data, as well as archaeological evidence shows, |
| Foundation Stone where the Ark of The Covenant | | | | typically, Jewish men of the 1st century were very |
| Ark rested in Solomon's Temple. | | | | short in stature. There were no railings or banisters on |
| TEMPLE WAS NOT AT THE DOME OF THE ROCK | | | | the steps leading up to the Temple. Steps of such |
| We shall demonstrate why neither of the Centerist's | | | | height then certainly would have been difficult for short |
| conclusions is valid, primarily based upon the Law of | | | | Judean legs to climb, especially without the support of |
| the Red Heifer, as well as other factors. We submit | | | | a rail or banister. Even six-footers today would find |
| several data items positively indicating toward | | | | such stairs an "exerting" challenge. |
| accepting Asher Kaufman's proposed site at the | | | | Yoma 5:4 describes the Shethiyah (Foundation Stone), |
| Dome of the Tablets. Still, no conclusive evidence is | | | | upon which the Holy Ark rested, as a projection |
| available at present that prove Prof. Kaufman's | | | | extending three fingers above ground. - In contrast, |
| conclusion is correct. Nevertheless, we remain | | | | Ritmeyer proposes a rectangular depression in the |
| confident the evidence presented shows that surely | | | | rock under the Dome of the Rock, purportedly the |
| the Dome of the Rock cannot be the correct site. The | | | | same size as the Holy Ark (using Royal cubit size), |
| most obvious and most disqualifying defect in Central | | | | having been cut several centimeters deep into the |
| Theorist proposals is lack of compliance with rituals in | | | | rock. That rectangular depression must therefore be |
| the Talmudic Law of the Red Heifer ceremony. That | | | | rejected as the Shethiyah. |
| Temple rite is THE most important element of Temple | | | | One of the most convincing archaeological features of |
| worship, because ALL Temple articles must be purified | | | | the Temple Mount supporting Kaufman's proposal, |
| by the ashes of the Red Heifer before any worship | | | | while simultaneously and equally convincingly negating |
| can be conducted. There also are many other faults. | | | | claims for the Dome of the Rock, is what must be |
| Major contributions to Centerist errors result through | | | | considered the obvious near proximity of the Fortress |
| improper choices of cubit lengths, far exceeding | | | | of Antonia. Surviving ruins of that structure are |
| Jewish historians' descriptions of that measuring unit. | | | | supported by most scholars as an "authenticated" site. |
| Accurate cubit measurement is demonstrated as | | | | Antonia's Southeast Tower was adjacent Temple |
| vitally critical in this analysis. Concurrent to that | | | | northern courts. |
| inaccuracy is the location of the Dome of the Rock. It | | | | That tower, according to Josephus, Wars 5.5.8/242 - |
| is more easterly on the Temple Mount, resulting in | | | | 244, was erected adjacent to the north wall of the |
| placing the kohain (priest) too far east on the Mt. of | | | | Temple and was much taller (70 cubits vs. 50 cubits) |
| Olives. | | | | than the other three towers. In this way, activities of |
| THE LAW OF THE RED HEIFER IS PARAMOUNT | | | | Jews in Temple courts below could be monitored for |
| Principal among Centerist failures within The Law is the | | | | formation of plots for mischief and rebellions, just by |
| kohain's inability to view the doors of the Temple from | | | | noting "who" was talking with "whom," "when," etc. |
| the point on the Mount of Olives where Centerist | | | | Menahoth 98a specifies the Ark was oriented with the |
| analyses would position the Miphkad Altar. The priest | | | | longer axis extending parallel to the Temple width; i.e., |
| must stand at that point, viewing the Temple doors, as | | | | north - south. The rectangular depression proposed by |
| he sprinkles the heifer's blood "directly toward the | | | | Ritmeyer is oriented with the long axis parallel to the |
| Tabernacle." The Miphkad Altar must be located | | | | Temple length, east - west. Ritmeyer attempts to |
| "outside the camp;" i.e., one Sabbath Limit (approx. 1000 | | | | rationalize that orientation, saying of the "staves" (or |
| yds.) due east from the Holy of Holies in the Temple. | | | | "poles") the bearers used to carry the Holy Ark: "The |
| All Centerists position the kohain, as he stands behind | | | | only way to remove the staves was by keeping the |
| the Miphkad Altar, on the "flat" summit of the Mount of | | | | short side facing the partition that separated the Holy |
| Olives. Sectioning from map contours for that mount | | | | of Holies from the Holy Place." That declaration is |
| clearly illustrates the kohain's inability to view the | | | | refuted in Exodus 25:15 as well as Talmud Yoma 72a |
| Temple doors from such a position. He would need | | | | and Makkoth 22a confirming the staves were |
| actually to see through the mountain! -- Again, this | | | | permanently installed through the support rings and |
| failure is the single most serious failing in Central | | | | could never be removed. |
| Theorist proposals reviewed to date. | | | | Further, it would be "profane" to face the Ark as |
| CUBIT SIZE IS VITALLY IMPORTANT | | | | Ritmeyer proposes, since the cherubim were at the |
| Ritmeyer's entire thesis is founded upon a "Royal" cubit | | | | ends of the Ark. Such arrangement would have one |
| dimension = 20.67 in. = 52.5 cm. There is no foundation | | | | cherub standing in front of the Lord's Presence! - His |
| for use of a Royal cubit, of more than seven | | | | Shekhinah -- Never! - Again, on basis of historical |
| handbreadths in length, in any Jewish Temple | | | | records of Temple details, the rectangular depression |
| construction. Many other cultures existing throughout | | | | cannot qualify as the Shethiyah. |
| ancient history used what were termed "Royal cubits" | | | | THE SHETHIYAH MUST BE A THRESHINGFLOOR |
| - having greatly diverse lengths. The cubit of Arye ben | | | | The Rock in no way fits requirements for a |
| David at 22.08 in = 56.08 cm., has been mentioned by | | | | "threshingfloor." There is hardly a smooth, flat spot |
| certain scholars, and is in fact nearly eight | | | | anywhere on that huge rock formation. However, the |
| handbreadths in length! Talmud specifies that | | | | smooth, flat, circular stone beneath the humble little |
| Solomon's Temple was based upon the "Standard" | | | | Dome of the Tablets meets all criteria for a perfect |
| Moses' cubit = six handbreadths and the Second | | | | threshingfloor, as was purchased from Araunah, the |
| Temple was built with a slightly (1/2 "fingerbreadth") | | | | Jebusite, by King David, (II Samuel 24:24). |
| longer cubit. This was done to reduce possibility that a | | | | CONCLUSIONS |
| contractor might even unintentionally fabricate a piece | | | | We have shown several of the most significant faults |
| that would be short. - A sort of tolerance "pad," if you | | | | in claiming the Dome of the Rock as the Jewish |
| will, in order that he would avoid "offence" against The | | | | Temple site. Principally, these are: topographical |
| House through "liability to a trespass offering." | | | | limitations preventing the kohain from observing the |
| (Pesachim 86a) | | | | Temple doors in compliance with Laws of the Red |
| Jacobson specified cubit length = 0.465 meters, saying | | | | Heifer Ceremony and ninety degrees improper |
| it is "about 18 inches." Actually, it is 18.307 in. Considering | | | | orientation of the Rock's "rectangular depression," and |
| critical effects of cubit dimensions in these analyses, | | | | lack of characteristics required for the surface |
| "about" is an inappropriate word. It is apparent that his | | | | supporting the Holy Ark, the Shethiyah, to have been a |
| analysis did not consider the Sabbath Limit (almost | | | | "threshingfloor." Asher Kaufman's site appears to be |
| 2000 cubits) to the kohain's station. Cubit length at such | | | | much more authentic, based upon Biblical, historical, |
| distance is obviously critical. This is especially important | | | | archaeological and geological evidence. |