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From: candide@ihlpg.UUCP (candide)
Newsgroups: net.religion.jewish
Subject: Re: Re: the location of the Temple Mount
Message-ID: <1515@ihlpg.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 2-Jan-86 11:05:16 EST
Article-I.D.: ihlpg.1515
Posted: Thu Jan  2 11:05:16 1986
Date-Received: Fri, 3-Jan-86 05:38:16 EST
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Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories
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> > > > [original posting -- what is the latitude and longitude of the
> > > >  Temple Mount (and altitude, too, if you know it)? ]
> > > 
> > > [ followup -- the prophet {Ezekiel} specifically says that the Third
> > > Temple will NOT be built at the site of the previous two, but rather
> > > at a significant distance from it (close to, but outside Jerusalem). ]
> > 
> > This is fascinating.  Let me then expand my question.  What are the latitudes
> > and longitudes of both locations?  Toward which site should we face when we pray?
> 
> 
> 	I'm not sure whether we have to know the exact latitude and longitude
>  of the Temple in orde to know which direction to face when praying. We face
>  the direction of Israel when we pray. Those in Israel face Jerusalem, tose
>   in Jerusalem the Temple, those in the Temple the Holy of Holies, and the 
>  High Priest, when he enters the Holy of Holies ( where the Ark of the
>  Covenant was located ) on Yom Kippur, faces the Ark. The Talmud ( as usual
>  I am afraid I don't have the exact source at hand ) when discussing prayer
>  says that if one wants riches he should face slightly northward, and one
>  who wants wisdom should face slightly southward ( it might be backwards
>  I'm not sure ). So facing the exact spot isn't absolutely necessary. It
>  would also be slightly impractical because you would have to check your
>  position every time you pray unless you always pray from the exact same
>  spot.
> 
> 
> 				Eliyahu Teitz.
> 
>  p.s. The question, though, of the exact location is still an interesting one.
>  As I posted earlier, the exact location is unknown.

Although the exact location is unknown, surely this does not affect the original
question.  No latitude and longitude can be given exactly.  Let it be accurate
to the nearest second.  If it cannot be accurate to the nearest second, then
let it be accurate to the nearest minute.  If it cannot be accurate to the
nearest minute, then let it be accurate to the nearest degree.  To say that
the exact location is unknown does not address the question -- every location
is unknown beyond a certain measure of accuracy.

Perhaps it is slightly impractical to check your position every time you
pray, but this information is certainly relevant to the initial construction
of a synagog.  Synagogs within Israel, in particular, can be designed facing
the right direction, not just `east' or `west'.  In fact, a congregation
could decide in advance whether they prefer wealth or wisdom, and construct
their synagog accordingly.  An interesting question, however, arises: How
do you indicate a request for wealth or for wisdom if you are on the same
line of longitude as the Ark of the Covenant?