Toe Jam Fam: Easter Sunday, March 23, 2008 Old City of Jerusalem

We did not know this was an Ultra Orthodox Jew, because he was not in all of his garb. However, the Ultra Orthodox do not want you taking pictures of them, because they think it is like idol worshipping. You are creating an image. In their culture it is not good. I will never forget, when Joey and I were here previously, walking through the Ultra Orthodox section of town. It was fascinating. We saw children at recess and wanted to take a picture. We weren't quite as respectful of their culture at the time and found it funny when we pulled out our cameras and everyone started charging us. In an effort to get a great picture....Joey was definately spit upon several times.

The Israeli culture is definately one of segregation. (if I can put it that way) This picture shows that men even go through separate entrances than the women. The women walk behind the men, and it is rare, if not ever seen....a women walking side by side with her husband.

One of the walls around the Dome of the Rock.

The Dome of the Rock is located on what the people call The Temple Mount. Arabic people have control of this area and most practicing Jews will not enter onto the mount. The Temple Mount is known in the Old Testament as Mount Moriah. The place where Abraham prepared to sacrafice his son, Isaac. Muslims (arabics) believe that the holy rock inside of the Dome of the Rock is the place where Muhammad was taken on his mythical journey to the Seventh Heaven. It is a very sacred spot to them as well as the Jewish people. Therefore, it is a place of real polical and religious contention. The Jews believe that the Holy of Holies is there, and will not step foot upon the mount...afraid that they might step on the spot. They (the Jews) await the day that it is once again in their control....so that they might build their Holy Temple on it once again. So until then, the Western Wall (or the Wailing wall) is the closest thing to the Temple Mount to them...making it a very sacred place. The second most sacred place for them to worship besides the temple that will be built again once they regain control of the Temple Mount.