Religious Israeli Group Conducts Red Heifer Ritual Near Al-Aqsa Mosque

Introduction

A group of religious Israelis were recently photographed performing the red heifer ritual, a practice believed to signal the construction of a new Jewish temple at the location of the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

The Significance of the Red Heifer Ritual

Jewish tradition asserts that the ashes of a completely red heifer are necessary for the ritual cleansing that would permit the erection of a third temple in Jerusalem. Radical Jewish groups argue that this temple must be built on the Temple Mount, a raised plateau in Jerusalem’s Old City where the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock shrine currently stand. Some individuals believe that this event could signify the arrival of the messiah and potentially even the end of the world. Journalist Yinon Magal posted a picture of activists from the Temple Institute on Tuesday, stating that "Temple worshipers are now practicing the mitzvah [religious duty] of a red cow in front of the Temple Mount, which will enable the return of purity and the observance of all the temple mitzvahs."

The Arrival of Red Heifers in Israel

In 2022, five red heifers were brought to Israel from a Texas ranch. They are now housed in an archaeological park next to Shilo, an unauthorized Israeli settlement near the Palestinian city of Nablus. The Temple Institute imported these heifers with the intention of using them in a ritual after years of searching for cows without any physical imperfections. Advocates believe that the eventual slaughter of these cows on the Mount of Olives will purify Jewish people, enabling them to perform rites and worship at the site of the Al-Aqsa Mosque. A professor at Bar Ilan University estimated that the ashes of one cow could produce enough cleansing water for 660 billion purifications.

The Location of the Ritual

The traditional site of the ritual, the Mount of Olives, is visible in the background on the other side of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, indicating that the practice run was conducted within the Old City. The status quo in Jerusalem has long held that Jewish prayer is forbidden on the raised plateau in occupied East Jerusalem. Non-Muslims have been restricted from entering the mosque since the Ottoman status quo, which assigned Jerusalem's holy sites to its sects, was established in 1757. The Chief Rabbinate of Jerusalem has also prohibited Jews from entering the Temple Mount since 1921, ruling that Jews are forbidden to enter the site unless "ritually clean", which is impossible without the ashes of a red heifer.

Advocacy for Jewish Prayer at Al-Aqsa

Over the past century, religious Zionist groups, including the Temple Institute, have campaigned for the restoration of Jewish prayer at Al-Aqsa. Some have even called for the demolition of the mosque and the reconstruction of the temple.

Bottom Line

This event raises many questions about religious freedom, historical preservation, and the potential for conflict over sacred sites. What are your thoughts on this issue? Do you think it's possible to find a peaceful resolution that respects all parties involved? Feel free to share this article with your friends and discuss it. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is delivered every day at 6pm.