A Word from Gershon Salomon

A warm shalom to you from your friend and brother in the holy city of Jerusalem, the eternal capital of Israel. We are writing to you at a very critical time in the prophetic end-time process of redemption of the people and land of Israel. The closer that we come to the fulfillment of G-d's plans, the more the enemies of G-d try to destroy the visions, dreams and desires which G-d gave to Israel starting 4,000 years ago with Abraham and his seed.

Dear friend, Israel and the Temple Mount and Land of Israel Faithful Movement need your love and support. We are in the midst of a difficult campaign to accomplish our goal of the rebuilding of the Temple and the coming of Mashiach ben David. This will be the climax of the G-dly events of the last 50 years. We very much appreciate the constant devotion that you have shown, emotionally, spiritually and practically. You have become an important part of the Faithful Movement. Your efforts are needed to win this major battle for G-d and for His end-time plans. Time is short. Each of us are tested daily. Long ago we decided to overcome this test. G-d gave us the privilege to be soldiers in His army at such an exciting time. We are ready to serve Him with all of our hearts, souls and strength.

We know so clearly that the G-d of Israel is determined to accomplish His end-time plans and He will not allow any of the enemies of Israel to hurt His people. At the same time, He expects everyone of us to do everything possible to stop these enemies. Our friends in America are called on to stop the plans of President Clinton to put pressure on Israel to give away parts of the land which G-d gave to Israel. President Clinton has a plan to force Israel to give these areas to the most cruel enemy of Israel -- Yasser Arafat and his band of "Palestinian" murderers. I am sure that President Clinton does not represent the feelings of the American people. I believe that it was no accident that the United States was founded over 200 years ago and has become the strongest power in the world. It is also not an accident that the founders of America based their country on the principles of the prophets of Israel and the Bible. I am sure that G-d dedicated America to walk hand in hand with Israel at this critical time and to help her accomplish her prophetic mission. G-d has stirred the hearts of many millions from all over the world to love Israel. G-d is acting to fulfill His promise that righteous people from the nations will give their love to Israel at a time when it is so needed and will help Israel to again put her roots in the Promised Land.

"Behold, I will lift up my hand to the nations, and set up my standard to the people; and they shall bring your sons in their arms, and your daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders. And kings shall be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers; they shall bow down to you with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of your feet; and you shall know that I am the Lord; for those who wait for me shall not be ashamed." (Isaiah 49:22-23)

This word of G-d is also directed to our righteous friends in Europe. Please open the hearts and eyes of your leaders not to join the enemies of Israel. Perhaps in this way they can receive some forgiveness from G-d for almost 2,000 bloody years of hatred against the Jewish people and open their hearts to understand that the redemption of Israel is a very clear condition for their own redemption. This call is also directed to every other part of the world.

The Temple Mount and Land of Israel Faithful Movement is looking forward to your cooperation and your spiritual, moral, political and practical help. We are close to the fulfillment. Let us do it together like one family of G-d. The G-d and people of Israel will never forget those who gave themselves with such devotion to His people at this difficult time.

Jubilee Year of Israel

Israel is celebrating the Jubilee year of redemption. This is the first Jubilee in the modern history of Israel. The unique significance of this Jubilee is that it is celebrated at the time of the end-time redemption. Even though the people of Israel have passed through exciting times in their Biblical history, we are now living in the most exciting time in the history of the Chosen People of G-d. All the prophecies of the G-d of Israel are being fulfilled since the creation of the State of Israel.

Over the past 50 years, G-d has again dramatically appeared in the life of His beloved nation and the land. All His prophetic promises to Israel are becoming a reality.

According to the Word of G-d, three major events will occur in the end-times prior to the coming of Mashiach ben David. The first is the re-establishment of the State of Israel in the land of Israel. The second is the regathering of the Jewish people to the Promised Land from all over the world. The third is the rebuilding of the Temple on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem on the same place as the First and Second Temples.

The first condition has been fulfilled although not completely to the boundaries which G-d promised to Abraham. In the Six Day War, G-d brought Israel to the Jordan River. The rest is soon going to be fulfilled. This is the land which He chose for Himself and for His people and He had a reason when He defined the boundaries.

The second condition is in the process of being fulfilled. In 1948 Israel started with a Jewish population of 600,000 which has now grown to 4,800,000. Everyday more Jews return home. Even lost tribes of Jews from the far corners of the world are being regathered by G-d. Parts of the ten lost tribes have also started to return. Groups like the Ethiopian Jews from the tribe of Dan and Jews from Asia who belonged to the tribe of Manasseh and others have returned.

The third condition is soon to be fulfilled. As a result of the miraculous events of the Six Day War of 1967, G-d brought Israel back to the Temple Mount, the whole of Jerusalem and the Biblical areas of Judea, Samaria, Gaza, the Golan Heights and the Sinai peninsula. This was not an accidental event. G-d brought us back to the Temple Mount to build His House and to open another end-time era in the life of Israel. The terrible, sinful mistake of the then Defense Minister, Moshe Dayan, did not cancel G-d's plans. G-d's plans were merely delayed to the coming generation. 30 years have passed since this big event and a new generation has emerged. Now the time is ripe for the Temple to be rebuilt. This is the climax of all the events before the coming of Mashiach ben David. G-d wants to again dwell in the midst of His beloved people, Israel.

The Temple will soon be rebuilt. Many preparations have been started for this. The cornerstone that the Temple Mount and Land of Israel Faithful Movement prepared and brought to Jerusalem is ready. Many vessels, garments, and the menorah are in the process of preparation. Priests have started to prepare themselves for worship in the Temple. Models and plans of the Third Temple are being drawn up. Money is being raised by people in Israel and from all over the world for this purpose.

The campaign of the Faithful Movement for the rebuilding of the Temple is coming close to its climax. Our task is to bring our lovely G-d into the midst of the life of Israel and of all mankind. The Third Temple will be built by the people and government of Israel. This is what G-d expects from us. G-d could do it by Himself but He desires Israel to do it as a demonstration of our trust in Him and to demonstrate that we are not afraid of the pagan enemies who are today holding the holy site. This is today the main task of the Faithful Movement. We have dedicated our lives to this G-dly purpose. We shall do everything with all our heart, soul, and strength by all legal means to make it a reality in our lifetime.

The First Skirmishes of the Gog-Magog War

As the Jubilee year of the State of Israel opens, we see how events are steadily moving toward the fulfillment of G-d's end-time promises to the people of Israel. We are coming closer and closer to the most critical time of the G-dly process of the redemption of the people of Israel. The miraculous G-dly events of the rebirth of the State of Israel and the regathering of the Jewish people have been paralleled by wars and terror and now by threats of nuclear, chemical and biological warfare.

The prophet Ezekiel prophesied that in the end-times of the redemption of the people of Israel, a terrible war will break out in the land when Gog and Magog with many other nations come to the land of Israel and try to destroy the people and State of Israel (Ezekiel 38-39). G-d said that He would bring this enemy from the far north against the mountains of Israel. The prophet Zechariah also spoke about the same event (Zechariah 12-14).

The rebuilding of the Temple has been the desire of this nation over the last 2,000 years since the destruction of the Second Temple in the year 70 c.e. This is the main goal of the Temple Mount and Land of Israel Faithful Movement.

We have tried to understand how G-d would accomplish His end-time plans for Israel. The questions that arose were: Why, from the first moment of the redemptional process of Israel, would Israel be attacked again and again. Why, close to the end of this process, would the Gog and Magog war break out? Why could this wonderful process not be accomplished without wars? Why, as in Biblical times, is Israel again surrounded by so many enemies who want to destroy her? Why does the small David, armed only with a small rock, again need to fight against giants? As we come closer and closer to the accomplishment of the redemption process we can begin to give answers to these questions. We only need to read Ezekiel and Zechariah carefully to gain understanding. The G-d of Israel will use this means to finally defeat all those many enemies of Israel who have continually tried to destroy the State and people of Israel and push them into the Mediterranean. Now in the Jubilee year of Israel they prepare to destroy Israel with terrible weapons.

Iran, with Russian help, has started to build an atomic capability with long-range missiles directed at Israel. Syria, Egypt and the other Arab countries are also preparing for an atomic, chemical and biological war against Israel.

During the latest Gulf crisis precipitated when Saddam Hussein refused access to UN weapon inspectors to palaces suspected of housing biological and chemical weapons plants, Boris Yeltsin, the Russian President, warned Clinton that an attack against Iraq would result in a Third World War. Russia is doing all it can to renew her political and military ties with the Arab countries around Israel. After helping Iran to become a nuclear power and also helping Iraq to develop her nonconventional arsenal, Russia is now doing the same with Syria. Are Russia and her Arab allies the enemy of the North that the prophets spoke about?!

It is not an accident that this international crisis started in the Middle East. This was a continuation of the Gulf War of 1991. As long as Saddam Hussein continues to be the ruler of Iraq, this crisis will not be solved.

The "Palestinian" Authority has also started to prepare for a war against Israel. They have brought in weapons from every direction to arm their forces. These are the forces that the former government of Israel, in a terrible and sinful mistake, helped to create. The enemies of Israel have never learned their lesson from history. The missiles which Saddam sent to Israel in 1991 totally destroyed houses but no Israelis were killed as a direct result of the missiles. G-d showed everyone in the world that He is determined to protect and save His people, Israel. The enemies of Israel do not understand how terrible G-d's judgement will be against them.

The coming war will be the final war undertaken against Israel by her enemies. In it G-d will terribly defeat them. The prophet Zechariah describes the way G-d will defeat and punish them and it makes us think of a nuclear, chemical and biological war. "And this shall be the plague with which the Lord will strike all the people who fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their sockets, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth." (Zechariah 14:12)

After this war the new (G-dly) era will start. The Third Temple will be the House of G-d, the only building on the Temple Mount. Mashiach ben David will be the King of Israel and all mankind.

Jerusalem is the eternal capital of Israel. The "Palestinians" want to make Jerusalem a "Palestinian" capital. All the rest of the Islamic nations want to make it an Islamic city. The Pope decided that Rome is not enough for him and he wants Jerusalem as well. The United Nations rejects Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and wants to make it an international city. They even tried to stop Israel from building new houses in Jerusalem. We can see how the black clouds are coming closer and closer to Jerusalem and to the mountains of Israel. The march of Gog and Magog and all their allies has started in the direction of Jerusalem and Israel.

In conclusion, the so-called recent Gulf crisis was not solved. At best it has only been postponed. As the crisis progressed, we could see in the streets of all the Arab nations of the Middle East how they demonstrated solidarity with Saddam Hussein and how they hated Israel and the United States. The flags of both countries were repeatedly burned by the crowds. This is because Hussein embodies their goals, feelings and emotions to destroy Israel and to create another Holocaust. These feelings and goals cannot be suppressed for very long. One day, and as it looks, very soon, they will explode. The situation can be seen as a time bomb. The Munich agreement with Hitler did not stop or cancel his bloody goals but only delayed them for a short time and then the price was terrible. Likewise, the false Oslo Agreements have not solved any problems and have not canceled the goals of the so-called "Palestinians" to destroy Israel and to found a "Palestinian" state in its stead. The war clouds of Gog and Magog are gathering around Israel. The time of judgment is close at hand. Israel will survive this war and become the nation which G-d and all the prophets dreamed about: "Now therefore, if you will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then you shall be my own treasure among all peoples; for all the earth is mine; And you shall be to me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation. These are the words which you shall speak to the people of Israel." (Exodus 19:5-6)

Sukkoth - The Temple Cornerstone

The cornerstone for the Third Temple was brought to the gates of the Temple Mount by the Temple Mount and Land of Israel Faithful Movement and their followers on 20th October during the holy Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkoth). The rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem has a very deep significance for the life of Israel. Every aspect of life in Israel will be affected by the Temple. We believe that it will bring the G-d of Israel to the center of all aspects of the life of this nation. This can only be accomplished when His House is established on the Temple Mount on the location of the First and Second Temples.

We felt so clearly that the 50th year, the Year of Jubilee, would be the right (G-dly) time to lay the cornerstone. We can hear the Voice of G-d saying to us exactly as He said through the prophet Haggai before the building of the Second Temple when the people of Israel hesitated to rebuild the House of G-d: "Thus speaks the Lord of hosts, saying, 'This people say that the time has not yet come, the time that the Lord's house should be built. ... Is it time for you, yourselves, to dwell in your well timbered houses, while this house lies in ruins?'" (Haggai 1:2,4) So we decided to do what Zerubbabel, Ezra and Nehemiah did in their time: dedicate a cornerstone for the Third Temple, lay it on the Temple Mount in the location which G-d indicated to us, and start the G-dly process of the rebuilding of the House of G-d.

The cornerstone, which weighs 4.5 tons, was brought from Mitzpe Ramon which is in the desert of Israel. This is a beautiful marble stone which was not cut or polished by any metal. We found the stone in a miraculous way. It is a natural stone which is similar to the stones of which the Second Temple was built. This stone was given to us by a Jewish family, named Alafi, who returned to the land of Israel from Babylon almost 50 years ago. They have a tradition in their family that they were the builders of the First and Second Temples and that they would also be the builders of the Third temple. They have even started preparing other stones for the Third Temple.

In the early morning of October 20th this cornerstone was loaded on a flatbed truck. The truck was covered with Israeli flags and a Chuppah covered the stone. The truck brought the cornerstone to the southern gates of the Old City of Jerusalem and to the Temple Mount. The southern gates of the Temple Mount were the main gates through which pilgrims entered the First and Second Temples. Many members of the Temple Mount and Land of Israel Faithful Movement and their friends joined together near the Western gate of the Temple Mount. Also joining them were priests, one of whom wore the original priestly garments which had been prepared in Jerusalem in recent years according to the biblical law. Levites with musical instruments and shofars also played an important part in this event. Ten vessels which had been reconstructed in Jerusalem for the Third Temple were brought to be used in this historical event.

A large crowd marched with music, songs and great joy to the cornerstone which waited in front of the City of King David. Israeli soldiers joined the marchers lending an official meaning to the event. The shofars were blown by the Levites and Gershon Salomon read the Psalms and prayers of King David when he dedicated the first altar on the Temple Mount and from the prayer of King Solomon when he dedicated the First Temple.

When we were ready to march with the cornerstone to the Temple Mount, the police officer in charge told us that the government had decided not to allow us to lay the cornerstone on the Temple Mount. They were fearful of an Arab and international reaction. The weakness of the government again prevented the beginning of the rebuilding of the Temple. Again, it was fear of the enemies of G-d and not the fear of Almighty G-d that barred progress. We decided to march with the stone to the City of King David. In doing this we announced to everyone in Israel and the world that we had started the process of the rebuilding of the House of G-d.

The City of David was filled with joy, songs and music when we came to the Pool of Siloam. We made the same ceremony which our forefathers did in the First and Second Temples when they drew the holy water from the Pool of Siloam and poured it on the altar. This ceremony was accompanied by our prayers asking G-d to bless with much rain during the coming winter. The holy water was taken by the priest in a special vessel and we marched back to the truck with the cornerstone. The special shofars of the Levites were blown very loudly and could be heard in all the city of King David as the priest poured the water on the cornerstone. In this way the cornerstone was dedicated to be the first holy stone for the Third Temple. We prayed that G-d would give us the privilege of pouring water on the altar in the rebuilt Temple at the next Feast of Tabernacles.

After the reading of G-d's promises to King David and King Solomon about the building of the First Temple, we continued to march to the southern gates of the Temple Mount. The truck with the cornerstone circled the walls of the Old City seven times symbolizing what Joshua did in Jericho. We prayed that the walls of hatred against Israel would fall. After this we entered the Old City and prayed before the closed western gate of the Temple Mount. Gershon Salomon called on the Israeli government to end the pagan Islamic occupation of the Temple Mount immediately, to rebuild the House of G-d, and to make it a House of worship and prayer for Israel and all the nations.

Later the crowd marched with Israeli flags, music and songs through the streets of the Old City to the other gates of the Temple Mount. Near every gate we stopped, blew the shofars and read from the Psalms. The presence of G-d and the spirit of our forefathers followed us everywhere we went.

These events were reported by the television, radio and news media in Israel as well as the international media. The process of the rebuilding of the Temple has begun. Now we must continue that rebuilding; this is the clear will of G-d. We invite everyone to answer the call of God to assist us spiritually, morally and practically in completing this holy work. May G-d bless everyone who dedicated himself to this (G-dly) event.

Hanukkah - The Temple Menorah

On December 30th, the Temple Mount and Land of Israel Faithful Movement held a unique event. Early in the morning we drove to the tombs of the Maccabees at Modiin, 25 miles from Jerusalem. There we lit a torch and the Hanukkah Menorah at the tombs of the Maccabean heroes. We felt that we were the spiritual descendants of the Maccabees and that G-d had dedicated the Temple Mount and Land of Israel Faithful Movement to do at this time what the Maccabees had done in their time; to purify the Temple Mount from foreign, pagan Arab, Islamic presence and to rebuild the House of G-d.

The youth of the movement ran with the torch of the Maccabees to Jerusalem. Our goal was to bring this torch to the Temple Mount. Everyone along the way blessed us and called on us to continue this important campaign. In Jerusalem we protested against the presence of the PLO murderers at Orient House in the midst of Jerusalem. We symbolically buried the idea of establishing a foreign "Palestinian" state in the midst of the land which G-d gave to Israel. As the Maccabees did we burned the flag of the enemy, the PLO, to state very clearly that such a flag will never fly in the midst of Jerusalem or any other place in the land which G-d promised to Israel. We also lit the Hanukkah Menorah with the torch of the Maccabees.

At midday we again lit the Hanukkah Menorah at the Damascus Gate of the Old City to demonstrate the sovereignty of the G-d and people of Israel over this city which G-d chose to be the capital of Israel. We sang and danced along the main road of the city to the Temple Mount with the Hanukkah Menorah and the flags going ahead. We stopped near the place where Gabriel Hirschberg had been killed a few weeks earlier by the agents of the PLO and Hamas. We renamed the street in honor of his name.

When we came to the Temple Mount the gates were closed to us. The Arabs prohibited the entrance of any Israeli. They did this on the holiday of Hanukkah which symbolizes the battle for the liberation and purification of the Temple Mount. It was sad to see the weakness of the Israeli government which lacks the vision and courage to open it at such a unique time. The Temple Mount is permanently closed to Jewish and Christian prayer.

After we brought the torch of the Maccabees to the Temple Mount we lit the Hanukkah Menorah near the western gate. We had a deep feeling that the G-d of Israel will soon open the gates to His Jewish sons. The day of the building of the Third Temple will soon come. He is determined to redeem His Mountain, Jerusalem, and all the land of Israel.

In the afternoon we continued to the American Consulate in Jerusalem. We demonstrated against the pressure applied by President Clinton on Israel to give away parts of Judea, Samaria and Gaza to the murderer, Arafat for the establishment of a foreign "Palestinian" state. We called on Clinton not to betray his own people who are so friendly towards Israel. We sent the message that Israel is not a "Banana Republic" with which he can play negative political games. We stated very clearly that only the G-d of Israel controls the destiny of Israel. More important rulers than Clinton have passed from history by the judgment and punishment of G-d when they tried to destroy Israel or to take the land from them.

This special day ended outside the residence of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. We called on him to be strong and to resist yielding to Clinton, Albright and the other "friends" of Israel.

Tree Planting on Tu B'Shevat

On February 11th we celebrated the Jewish New Year for trees. This is a unique holiday in Israel which has been observed since Biblical times. From the first moment of the Zionist resettlement of the land it has been important to plant all kinds of trees. Millions of trees have been planted all over the country.

The land is now becoming a blooming garden. Trees and houses cover the land. Small children play among them exactly as Isaiah prophesied. G-d is again dwelling in the land with His people.

On Tu B'Shevat the Temple Mount and Land of Israel Faithful Movement planted trees at Har Chomah. We conveyed the message that we are again planting our roots in the land which G-d promised us in an eternal covenant. We are here forever and none of the enemies of G-d will ever again cut our roots and the roots of our trees in this country. We shall again make Jerusalem the most beautiful city in the world filled with trees and gardens. Small Israeli children will again play among them. This dream has already been realized to a large degree. It will be more completely realized in the future.

The history of the Temple Mount started with the creation of the Universe. The first place created was the rock on the top of the Temple Mount. Tradition maintains that G-d stood on this place and from here created the rest of the universe. The Temple Mount is also held to be the site of the Garden of Eden where G-d created Adam and Eve. It was also to this rock that G-d sent Abraham to sacrifice Isaac and on this rock Abraham built the altar.

King David, after occupying Jerusalem around 1000 b.c.e., bought the Temple Mount from Arauna, built an altar there and sacrificed to G-d. (2 Samuel 24:25) Later, David brought the Ark of the Covenant from Kiriath Jearim to the Temple Mount in a very joyful ceremony at the time of the Feast of Sukkoth. (1 Chronicles 13:8)

King Solomon built the First Temple around 950 b.c.e. (2 Chronicles 3:1) The Temple was the heart and soul of the Israelite nation serving as the religious and national center of all the tribes of Israel. For many generations the impact of the Temple on the life of Israel was tremendous. The First Temple was approximately 35 meters long (115.5 feet) and around 10 meters wide (33 feet). The main parts of the Temple included the entrance with the 2 pillars (Jachin and Boaz), the vestibule (ulam), the Holy Place (heichal), and the Holy of Holies (devir). The Ark of the Covenant was located in the Holy of Holies and it contained the two stone tablets of the Ten Commandments, the manna, and Aaron's rod. Only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies and then only once a year on the Day of Atonement. G-d appeared behind the Cherubim which were on top of the Ark. It was very beautifully designed. The Israelites came three times each year for pilgrim festivals. (Exodus 34:23-24)

The First Temple was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzer, the king of Babylon, on Tisha b'Av, 586 b.c.e. After two generations of exile, Zerubbabel came to Jerusalem from Babylon in 536 b.c.e. and started the rebuilding of the Temple. In 10 b.c.e., King Herod began to rebuild and glorify the Temple. Ten thousand workers and one thousand priests were engaged in the work. It took eight years to prepare the stones and bring them to the site. The actual construction took three years. Of these three years, 1« years was spent in building the Temple. This work was done be the priests alone. During this time workers were not hindered by rain during the day. It only rained at night. Herod's Temple was the most beautiful building in the world. It was built of marble. Herod wanted to cover it with gold; however the priests advised him not to do this because G-d is humble. Instead, he built a golden crown for the Temple which was between 65 and 70 meters high (214 - 231 ft).

The Second Temple was destroyed by the Romans on Tisha b'Av, 70 c.e. The Romans took many of the vessels and gold from the Temple to Rome where they are held to this day in the basement of the Vatican. The destruction of the Temple was a terrible event in the life of Israel. Despite the destruction, the site remained holy in the life of Israel. Jews from all over the world prayed with their faces and their hearts towards this place. Even the dead were buried facing this place. Five times a day in all their prayers, Jews cried to G-d to bring them back to this place and to rebuild the Temple here. This is symbolic of their religious and national desires for redemption. Jews who made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, tore their garments in front of the Temple Mount to express their mourning.

From the moment of the rebirth of Israel, and especially after the Six Day War of 1967, the campaign of the Temple Mount and Land of Israel Faithful Movement started to rebuild the Temple. We believe that the Temple must be built on the same location and with the same design and size as the First and Second Temples. After 30 years of this G-dly campaign, we know that we are closer than at any other time to the fulfillment of this deep desire. The Word of G-d through the prophet Isaiah is soon going to become a reality; "And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it. And many people shall go and say, 'Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the G-d of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths; for from Zion shall go forth Torah, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.'" (Isaiah 2:2-3)

Archeological Discoveries

Since 1967 there have been major archeological discoveries on the southeast corner of the Temple Mount. These digs have unearthed tremendous remains from both the First and Second Temple times. They give a foretaste of what will be found once digging commences on the Temple Mount itself. We shall mention only a few of them here -- The impressive steps leading up to the Hulda Gates on the southern side of the Temple Mount; remains of buildings, pillars, tunnels, pottery, candles, pomegranate designs which were on the garments of the high priests; ritual baths for those who wanted to enter the Temple Mount. Perhaps the most dramatic discovery was the massive stones of the wall and the Temple which fell in this area when the Temple was destroyed. They were found in the same situation as when they fell at the time of the destruction. The archaeologists had tears in their eyes when they discovered them.

Another exciting find was Hebrew "graffiti" on the western corner of the wall of the Temple Mount which was written by Jews who made pilgrimage after the destruction. The "graffiti" included the Scripture from Isaiah 66:14 "And when you see this, your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like grass;" This was the Word of G-d concerning the rebuilding of the Temple and the end-time redemption. It was the deepest desire of the people of Israel in those days and a clear message to our generation.

The stone which would have been a "head cornerstone", the last stone laid, for the tower on the southeastern corner of the walls of the Temple Mount was also found. This stone belonged to the tower where a priest stood every Friday and blew a trumpet to signal the start of Shabbat. On Saturday evenings the trumpet was also blown to signal the end of the Shabbat. There was also graffiti on this stone which said in Hebrew; "to the house of the blowing". We shall tell of other exciting discoveries in our next newsletter.

The Name of G-d on Jerusalem

The G-d of Israel has placed His Name on Jerusalem not only spiritually but also physically. Three valleys surround Jerusalem and the Temple Mount -- the Kidron Valley to the east, the Valley of the Spirits to the south and west, and the Valley of Hinnom to the west. The Temple Mount is in the midst of them. The valleys, together with the city make up the Hebrew letter "Shin" ( ) which is the first letter of the Name of G-d -- Shaddai ( ). The letter Shin, as the Name of G-d, is written on all the Mezzuzot on the doors and gates of Jewish buildings. The name Shaddai has three letters in Hebrew. The first, 'Shin', stands for Shomer, keeper; the second, 'Daleth', stands for Daltot, the doors; the third, 'Yod', stands for Yisrael. Together they form the phrase - "Keeper of the doors of Israel". This exciting appearance of G-d on Jerusalem is a dramatic fulfillment of the promises of G-d that His eyes, heart and attention will be constantly on His people and city. Those who come to Jerusalem should not miss this G-dly view. It also reminds us that Jerusalem and the Temple Mount is the gate to heaven.

Healing in the Walls

According to a very old tradition, the walls of the Temple Mount and Jerusalem have special healing qualities. According to this tradition, everyone who watched or touched the walls was healed of their illnesses, wounds or injuries. G-d put His blessings on the city and its walls. The tradition holds that in the end-times, Jerusalem will be surrounded by seven walls of gold, silver and the five most precious jewels. Light will reflect off the walls from one end of the world to the other. All the gates will be glorified with jewels and will sing songs and the houses will say "Hallelujah" meaning "Give glory to G-d".

The Tombs of David and Hulda

According to Jewish law, dead bodies had to be buried outside the city. Throughout the 3,000 year history of Jerusalem, only two people were buried inside the city -- King David and the prophetess Hulda. The reason was the admiration of the people of Israel for these two holy figures. The tomb of Hulda was even built in front of the southern gates of the Temple Mount and the gates named after her. The tomb of David was discovered on Mt. Zion close to the present Zion Gate of the Old City and is there to this day. We know that in Biblical times, Mt. Zion was within the walls of the city. Israelis intercede before G-d on behalf of the people near the tomb of King David.

Donations for the Building of the Temples

One of the most exciting stories connected with the building of the First and Second Temples concerns the donations and love-offerings which Israelites gave to the builders for the honor of the G-d of Israel. Everyone, even very poor people, wanted to have a part in the House of G-d. People gave gold and silver. Women gave all their jewelry. They were full of joy that they had the privilege to have a part in the House of G-d.

Tradition tells the story of a rabbi in the Second Temple age who was a very poor man. He wanted to give a donation with all his heart. He prayed that G-d would give him the means to donate something. G-d answered and directed him to the Judean desert where he found a special stone for the building. By a miracle he was able to carry the stone, even though it was heavy, all the way from the desert to the Temple Mount.

He was not the only one who donated a stone. Many others did likewise. The stone which we referred to above which came from a tower on the walls of the Temple Mount was one of those donated stones. It was found in the archeological digs. One of the most beautiful gates of the Temple, the Nicanor Gate, was donated by a very rich man whose name was Nicanor. He had the privilege of having his name on the Temple.

We want to remind everyone that this unique and beautiful tradition has been renewed in our time. We want to thank our friends who have donated. We have received jewelry from women and a few articles of gold and silver. All of this has been contributed to the campaign for the preparation of the Third Temple. The Temple Mount Faithful is doing everything possible to procure a house where these exciting stories will be exhibited. We thank all of our friends who have contributed; they will have a part in the final House of G-d.

We want to thank all of you so much for your continued generous financial support. Your support is holy to G-d and to us. Your support gives us the ability to perform our activities and realize our goals. Allow us to share with you that every cent of all donations received is used for our common goals. All of us act in a voluntary capacity. We feel that it is a great privilege which G-d has given us at this momentous time to serve Him. Our payment is just that G-d has called us to act for this cause. We thank G-d so much for this.

We want to share with you the following broad details of the directions and activities for which your donations were used in the last year:

28% Used for the special events conducted by the Movement.
12% Used for office disbursements and postage.
60% Funds transferred to savings for the following purposes:
	1. Purchase of a house in the Old City close to the Temple Mount which will be used as a center for the preparation for the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem. It will serve as a spiritual, educational and research center and for the day to day activities of the Movement. This will be an Israeli and International center open to everyone. It will serve as a bridge to the Temple Mount. It is so important that we do our best to save as much as possible for this goal.
	2. Architects costs for drawing up plans for the Temple.
	3. The needs for the Temple construction.
	4. Construction of the golden Menorah.
	5. Preparation for a permanent exhibition of Temple vessels and garments, unique donations of silver and gold for the Temple, copies of special correspondence and a full list of donors.

1. The Spiritual Center near the Temple Mount: The Movement is continuing the efforts to purchase a house close to the Temple Mount. This house will serve as a center for the activities of the Movement and as a bridge to the Temple Mount. This house is needed more now than at any time in the past. We feel that time is short. The house, when procured, will open a new stage in our activities which will be even more intense. This house will become a holy focus and a center for everyone. It will be a place to visit before walking up to the Temple Mount for prayers, inspiration, and study. Important research on the Third Temple and the history of the First and Second Temples will be started at this house. Every donation is very much appreciated.

2. Plans for the Third Temple: We continue the efforts to prepare plans for the Third Temple. We feel that the moment to begin the building of the Third Temple is near. We want to be ready. We also want to prepare people to be ready for this moment. When the plans are ready we will submit them to the Israeli authorities for approval.

3. The Golden Seven-branched Menorah: We continue the efforts to reconstruct the menorah for the Third Temple. This is not a simple task because it requires at least 80 kilograms (176 lbs) of pure gold. The Tabernacle and the First Temple contained the menorah which was designed by G-d and constructed by Moses. It burned day and night. This menorah was hidden a short time before the destruction of the First Temple. Another menorah was constructed for the Second Temple and was taken to Rome (this event is portrayed in the triumphal arch of Titus). Even though we know that the original menorah will be found and placed in the Third Temple, we know from our heritage that we need to construct a menorah which will show G-d that our end-time generation honors Him. We will very much appreciate your help in achieving this very important goal.

Future Donations for the Holy Projects of the Movement

We again wish to express our appreciation and thanks for all your generous donations. Friends and supporters have opened their hearts in a spiritual, moral, and practical way to help the Movement to achieve our common holy goal. Your holy donations have given the Movement the ability to act to accomplish our goals, which we are close to achieving at this time. Your donations give us the means to achieve it even sooner. The future will involve even more activities as we relate to changing circumstances. This will involve increased expenditure.

As you know, all of us are acting voluntarily. All donations are entirely dedicated to the holy G-dly goal. It is a great privilege for all of us to do this with clean hands as an offering to G-d. All of you have the privilege of playing a part in this important G-dly cause. The coming year will be critical. We are planning to undertake many projects. Your assistance will help make these goals a reality. How blessed are those whose heart is open to understand that the rebuilding of the Temple and the redemption of the land and people of Israel is the most important cause of our time. We thank you very much for this.

Donations for this holy goal and our various projects and general donations for the operating expenses of the Movement may be sent to the following address:

Please note that this is a new address.

Gershon will be very honored to speak to any groups that are touring in Israel. Please contact us to arrange these meetings.

We ask all our current friends to introduce new friends to the Movement and to share with them our goals and ideals and to pass on this newsletter to them. Anyone who would like to receive future editions of this newsletter are invited to send us their name, address, telephone, fax and email details.