This small dome (16th century?), also called the Dome of the Tablets, has attracted interest because of Asher Kaufman's theory that it marks the place of the Holy of Holies in the Second Temple. The dome is located on the east-west line from the peak of the Mt. of Olives through the Golden Gate to the two domes of the Holy Sepulcher on the west. Upon the peak of Olivet, according to the Mishnah, the HighPriest used to stand when he sacrificed the Red Heifer. During this ceremony, he would have had to look into the Holy of Holies and sprinkle the blood in its direction; the Temple should have lined up, then, with the peak. Kaufman adduced archaeological data to support the theory that the Temple was here, but it has not gained wide acceptance, partly because of the topography. We know from Warren's investigations (1868) that a little to the north was a moat, extending St. Anne's Valley. Herod filled it in, but it was probably there in Solomon's time. Assuming the Second Temple was built where the First had been, the north side of Solomon's Temple, if here, would have been on the slope, slightly below the peak and asymmetrically close to this moat. Without more archaeology, however, no one can be certain where the Temple was.

© 2003 Near East Tourist Agency (NET)

Text © 2003 Stephen Langfur