Rabbi Elisha Wolffson Defends Jewish Visits to Temple Mount Amid Rising Dispute

Rabbi Elisha Wolffson, head of the Temple Mount Yeshiva, delivered a special lecture on the Temple Mount responding to Rabbi Yosef Kalner's booklet "Return the Temple to Its Place." Wolffson rejected Kalner's criticisms of Jewish visits to the Temple Mount, arguing that the presence of God-fearing individuals there actually reduces improper visits. During the lecture, Wolffson presented live evidence supporting his position.

Kalner had claimed that organized visits and individual ascents to the Temple Mount lead to forbidden entries. Wolffson countered that halachic rulings must consider on-the-ground realities, and those not present cannot accurately assess the situation. He emphasized that proper visits prevent transgressions and that improper visits have significantly decreased due to the presence of observant visitors.

Kalner also accused some of disrespecting Torah authorities and ignoring the majority opinion of leading rabbis, which he said harms Torah observance. Wolffson responded that it is inappropriate to disregard halachic authorities who permit visits to the Temple Mount, noting that many prominent rabbis, not only Rabbi Dov Lior, support and even view ascending the Mount as a mitzvah.

Addressing Kalner's argument that ascending the Temple Mount is not a mitzvah of conquest since conquest is carried out by states and armies rather than individuals, Wolffson drew a parallel to Jewish settlement in Israel, which began with individuals establishing presence that eventually led to sovereignty. He claimed a similar process is occurring on the Temple Mount, where Jewish prayer services are now held daily, and the divine presence is returning to Mount Moriah after a period of Arab control.

Wolffson concluded that the renewed Jewish presence and prayer on the Temple Mount restore rightful sovereignty and sanctity to the site.