Yakov Geller: ‘I don't understand what UNESCO decided, but I know that there was the Temple on the Temple Mount’

'Political intolerance leads to troubles'

Why the Temple Mount is called that way? Why on Friday Jesus, when entered into Jerusalem, went to the mountain to pray in the temple? What villain destroyed this temple? The trouble is that people do not know not only Holy Scripture but simply the history. You can believe or not in whether the Christ existed, but you need to know at least the following obvious things: who destroyed the temple, why the Jews pray at the Western Wall, what is the Wailing Wall. You need to know that it is the remains of the foundation of the famous Temple [the Jerusalem Temple of King Solomon – editor's note]. A non-acknowledgment of that fact is like a silliness.

At the same time, I do not think that in UNESCO there are fools working. I just wonder at the discussions around this issue. It is being discussed by people, who don't read or just don't care about it. The Temple Mount is called that way because there was Temple two times: destroyed, rebuilt, then destroyed again.

Now in the north-east of the Temple Mount there is the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is nearby. Jerusalem is a point of three religions — Jewish, Muslim, Christian. Don't people surprised by fact that the right to open Church of the Holy Sepulchre belongs to the Muslim community. It is the Muslims who open and close it — a sign of unity.

'You can believe or not to whether the Christ existed, but you need to know at least the following obvious things: who destroyed the temple, why the Jews pray at the Western Wall, what is the Wailing Wall. You need to know that the remains of the foundation of the famous Temple.' Photo: dw.com

I don't want to get myself into discussions of things that everyone should know just by education. And what UNESCO decided — that is not so important. This organization has no influence on anything. Once a writer Marietta Shaginyan said: 'Everything you have said is irrelevant because I have forgotted to wear a hearing aid.' And I don't really understand what they decided at UNESCO, I know only that there was the Temple on the Temple Mount.

The disputes about the restoration of this Church are still going on. Some people say that it is necessary to restore it, but other part says that the restoration in the present conditions means a brutal war, in particular, because the Al-Aqsa Mosque is on that territory. The trouble is that the political tolerance, so-called political correctness, leads to troubles in many issues. It is necessary to clearly distinguish between political correctness and history — not momentary, not politically biased, but just great history left by our ancestors for the edification. Because, as you know, those who do not remember history are doomed to repeat it all again.

Kaaba for Jews

I have visited the Temple Mount several times. When the Jews pray, they face towards Jerusalem. But if they pray in Jerusalem, they look toward the Western Wall. Because it is the shortest way to know God. If you want to turn to Him, you can do this most effectively near the Wailing Wall.

You can even draw an analogy with the Kaaba for Muslims. Touching the stone of Mohammed [al-Ḥajar al-Aswad — the Black Stone in the wall of the Kaaba — editor's note] is the same ritual and the same purpose as for a religious Jew to touch the Wailing Wall, or a piece from the Torah scroll, called a mezuzah.

Fundamental rituals in all religions are the same. The Muslims go to Hajj, first, to fulfill their direct duty. Second, to confirm to themselves the truth of the faith. So, a Jew has to to pray at the Wailing Wall, to visit the tomb of King David.

'It is interesting in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to test your knowledge of the Old Testament. It is interesting to walk along the Via Dolorosa (Way of Sorrows) — from the house of Pontius Pilate to Calvary. The path of Jesus to his crucifixion.' Photo: kondakov.ws

It is interesting to look at praying people in the Al-Aqsa Mosque and around it. It is interesting in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to test your knowledge of the Old Testament. It is interesting to walk along the Via Dolorosa (Way of Sorrows) — from the house of Pontius Pilate to Calvary. The path of Jesus to his crucifixion. It is interesting to pass through the nine stations where he stayed. At the sixth station, a virgin Veronica came to him and gave the veil to wipe the traces of the flagellation. Then his image was imprinted on the cloth. Now there is the Temple of Saint Veronica. The photographers celebrate their professional holiday on Day of St. Veronica. I recommend everyone to walk along Jerusalem, it is very interesting.

'Everyone has the right for the Temple Mount'

Now this part of the city is controlled by the Israeli police, because Jerusalem is the capital of Israel since ancient times. However, everyone has the right for the Temple Mount. It belongs to the Lord, not someone one. All people have faith — some people believe that God exists, and others that does not. People are the same everywhere. Everything belongs to everyone.

In Jerusalem, the Muslim quarter and the Catholic one have normally coexisted for a long time. It is wrong to say that everything belongs exclusively to the Jews, or the Muslims, or the Christians. That is why, I was very surprised by the decision of UNESCO. While other forces do not intervene, people do solve everything themselves.

Many people like this city. Putin has also been at the Wailing Wall with a kippah on his head. I love Jerusalem very much. When someone of my friends go to Israel, I give them a guide: how to enter the Old city through Jaffa Gate (from the Jaffa side of Tel Aviv). It would be interesting to go through the Lion Gate for the Christians. There is the house of Pontius Pilate and the famous square, where he sentenced Barabbas and Jesus.

Visit this city and you will see everything with your own eyes.