Maimonides Prays at the Ruins of the Second Temple
Rabbi Moshe Ben Maimon, also known as Maimonides or by his acronym "Rambam", was one of the most venerated Torah sages, known for his works, the “Mishneh Torah”, a logical, systematic codification of Jewish law, and “The Guide for the Perplexed”, a methodical exposition of the fundamental religious-philosophical principles of Judaism.
He visited Jerusalem and the ruins of the Second Temple in 1165 CE, mentioning his itinerary and visit in a letter:
“On the third day of the week, the fourth day of the month of Marcheshvan, in the year 4926 from the time of creation, I left Acco and set out for Jerusalem, encountering many dangers along the way. I entered the “Great and Holy House [referring to the ruins of the Temple on Temple Mount]” and prayed there, on the fifth day of the week, the sixth of the month of Mar-cheshvan.”
Broken stones from the Temple at the foot of Temple Mount, Jerusalem
Photo: AnaRina Kreiman
Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon, also knowns as Maimonides or the Rambam.
Credit: Wikipedia
Overview
Maimonides records in his itinerary:
“On the third day [Tuesday] of the week, the fourth day of the month of Marcheshvan, in the year 4926 from the time of creation. I left Acco and set out for Jerusalem, encountering many dangers along the way. I entered the “Great and Holy House [ruins of the Temple]” and prayed there, in the fifth day [Thursday] of the week, the sixth of the month of Marchesvan.”
Just as I merited being able to pray in its [the Holy Temple] ruins, may I soon see, myself and all Israel, its comfort [rebuilding], speedily – amen!
Letter of Maimonides, from the book Haredim Mitzvot Hatluyot Baaretz 3
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