6th Century C.E. – The Temple Mount

The Temple Mount – A Pilgrim’s Prayer to Rebuild the Temple

A pilgrim’s prayer to rebuild the temple. A Jewish pilgrim visiting the Temple Mount in the sixth century or somewhat later etched his plea in stone: Ya’akov son of Josef hoped that the Temple would be rebuilt in his lifetime. The seven-line inscription is written in formal Jewish script. The stone was later reused and built into a wall of the Muslim Makhkama (courthouse) near the northwest corner of the Temple Mount. It was seen briefly by Leo Aryeh Mayer―an Israeli scholar of Islamic art who served as rector of the Hebrew University from 1943-1945―during a short period of access, some 80 years ago.

Finally, a Hebrew inscription expressing hope for the rebuilding of the Temple, and containing a list of Jewish names, probably of pilgrims, was discovered in a room in the Muslim Makhkama (courthouse), near the northwest corner of the Temple Mount. It has been tentatively dated to the 6th century or later, based on the form of letters. It reads:

“God the Lord of Hosts, may you build this House [Temple] in the lifetime of Ya’akov son of Josef, and [in the lifetime] of Theophylactus, Sisinia and Anastasia. Amen and amen, sela.”

Source: CIIP