Learning Intentions

• To know the history of the Jerusalem Temple from its construction by Solomon to its destruction in AD 70
• To understand the Temple as a very important symbol of belonging and site of pilgrimage within Judaism
• To understand, at some level, the contemporary controversies surrounding the Temple Mount
• To reflect on feelings of loss and restoration

Key Vocabulary

Jerusalem, Temple, Western Wall, Kotel, Temple Mount, Dome of the Rock.

Introduction

The Jerusalem Temple is a very important concept within Judaism. Within almost every Jewish festival and right of passage, some reference is made to the history of the Temple. In a Jewish wedding ceremony, for example, a glass is smashed underfoot to recall the destruction of the Temple. In a Jewish synagogue, several physical features, e.g. the location of the Ark and the Eternal Light, refer directly to the Temple and its layout.

The only remaining part of the Jerusalem Temple is the Western Wall which is a place of pilgrimage for Jewish people around the world. Where the Temple originally stood in Jerusalem is now one of Islam’s most holy sites. The long-standing dispute between Jews and Muslims over the site has led to much acrimony, violence and death. Many Jews in Israel and elsewhere, look forward to the time when the Temple will be re-built. They see this as an essential part of the coming ‘Golden Age’ in which all Jews will return to Israel, Jerusalem will become the centre of a world without hunger, disease and war, ruled over by the Messiah or God’s Chosen One.

The Temple, therefore, is an appropriate topic for study within Religious Education at Key Stage 2 as it helps pupils gain further insight into the beliefs and practices of Judaism. It should also help pupils to reflect on questions of identity and belonging, loss and restoration, whilst allowing them to consider the origin of a particular religious conflict.

Teachers who feel that the Temple does not merit six full lessons, might wish to consider condensing this scheme into two extended lessons. The first lesson would explore the history of the Temple. In groups, pupils would consider the texts and images associated with each of notable events in the Temple’s history in order to construct a Temple time line. In the second lesson, pupils would consider the Western Wall as a pilgrimage site and learn about the current tensions between Jews and Muslims over the Temple Mount.

The First Temple

Josiah Restores the Temple

The Temple is Destroyed

The Temple is Re-built

Herod’s Temple

The Western Wall