And Now For Something Completely Different–But Still Important
Posted by: “judybalint” judy.balint@gmail.com judybalint
Fri Jan 9, 2009 11:08 am (PST)
Temple Mount Sifting Project: From: Dr. Ron Beals, Volunteer

While many people consider Monday a “blue day” this past one was utterly tremendous. It
was a very cool (30° F) morning as I set out for the Temple Mount Sifting Project. This
project is located in Emek Tzurim. This area is better known to many by the name of the
Valley of Jehosephat. It is located between Mount Scopus and the Mount of Olives.

Since we were expecting guests at the site I decided to walk to the local supermarket to
get some bourekas to have with our “morning tea.” The aroma in the market bakery was
totally overwhelming but I restrained myself and finally boarded bus 19 to the Hebrew
University where I would begin the mile long walk down the hill to the work site.

O arrival, I deposited my treasures in the office and saw Dr. Gabby Barkay, Dr. Prag (an
English archeologist with special experience in Israeli and Jerusalem exploration) and Scott
a volunteer at the site who teaches archeology at a Sugarland, TX school. Dr. Barkay is the
Professor of Archeology at both the Bar Ilan and Hebrew Universities. He is well known in
international circles for his archeological work as well as for being the director of this
reclamation project.

Dr. Prag was here to investigate the work that is being done. They were soon joined by
Zachi Zweig, one of the primary investigators and the major instigator of this project. He
has done extensive investigation on Temple Mount archeology.
Ater their tour through the project we all took a break for tea and were treated to a two
hour discussion and commentary on the archeological endeavors in Israel, in Jerusalem
and specifically what had been done near the Temple Mount. The names of notables like
Robinson, Robert Hamilton, Kathleen Kenyon and others were flying around like “old
friends.”

As the discussion continued Dr. Prag was extolling the great work that Dr. Barkay and
Zachi Zweig were doing. Then Dr. Barkay made a comment that was absolutely
astonishing.

It seems that all the extensive work that has been done has been in the vicinity of
Jerusalem’s Temple Mount. But there have never been any real archeological digs on the
Temple Mount itself or dealing with artifacts from the Temple Mount.
There are many academic flaws with this project since the materials have been removed by
the Islamic Wakf and are not located at the original site. Yet, the work of this project is
the first evaluation of materials and artifacts directly from the Temple Mount and therefore
of extraordinary importance.
For centuries after the destruction of the Temple, either foreign rulers or the Islamic Wakf
have forbidden any work on the mount itself. In addition they have never allowed access to
the site or to anything underground.

Now, for the very first time, this project is sifting, finding and evaluating artifacts that
were excavated from the Temple Mount by the Moslem Wakf and deposited in a Jerusalem
valley. There were no archeologists to oversee these activities nor was there any
assessment of the damage that this destruction was doing to the Temple Mount and it’s
history.

To me this was a stunning revelation. I have read Biblical Archeology Review and other
information about the Temple and the Temple Mount. But I had never realized or thought
about the fact that at no time had anyone been allowed the opportunity to actually explore
the site itself or look at the artifacts that were there. It seems ironic that the most
significant place for Judaism and Christianity has never had the opportunity to be
scientifically and archeologically scrutinized by experts.

What is perhaps even more ironic is that this project has and is being funded almost
exclusively by private donations. However because of the current state of economics and
the world political situation, the funding has almost “dried up.”

During the past few months the funding for this has been dramatically reduced and they
have had to terminate a large number of the staff. They have continued this project
mainly with volunteers and a skeleton staff. Last year at this time there were usually about
six or more staff members working diligently daily. Now there are usually two to three
members.

One of the truly wonderful aspects of this project has been the educational component.
There is a small area designated for groups to come to visit. Frequently both school and
tour groups come to where they can experience the artifacts that have been removed from
the very “House of God” from Solomon’s and Herod’s times.

School groups are actually being taught the validity of the Biblical account and that this
land and particularly this Temple Mount was existent and is their heritage. They also have
the opportunity to experience the project by helping sift through buckets of dirt and rocks
and find real artifacts. The response is dramatic.

It is my hope that some may find this work important enough to help support these
efforts. For those who would like to see more about what they have done go to:
http://templemount.wordpress.com/ .

These reports are a great way to follow the progress over time. Toward the bottom of the
page is information for those who would like to participate by contributing to this ongoing
and worthwhile project. Contributions to the Ir David Foundation and the many initiatives
it supports are tax-deductible in the United States.

Checks should be made payable to:”Friends of Ir David”. Please specify that the donation
is designated to the Temple Mount Sifting Project. Please also send us a notice of your
donation to: tmsifting@gmail.com

Mailing Address:

Friends of Ir David
1300 Flatbush Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11210, USA

The US address will provide a tax deductible receipt. Be sure and specify that it is for the
Temple Mount Sifting Project.

Ronald D. Beals, MD
IN ISRAEL: 12A Mendele, Jerusalem, 050-881-4136
**************
IN US: East Texas Biblical Prophecy Forum