Legends of the
Dome of the Rock:
18 /
VOICES FROM THE TEMPLE SITE
Many signs will announce the coming of the Messiah of
Israel: "And it was in the year five thousand one hundred; and fifty-three
after the creation of the world, in the year
one thousand three hundred and fifteen after the destruction of the
Temple [1393 c.e.], may it
quickly be rebuilt! even in our own lifetime and there was heard the voice of
heaven crying out from the Temple: 'Leave you my house! Let my sons return!'
"The Ishmaelites were smitten with fear…. And
from amongst them, one arose and descended into the cavern that was nearby and
said that he saw three old men,' wrapped in prayer shawls…. He fell at their
feet. They said: 'Arise,' and he arose.
"He asked them: 'Who may you be?' and they
answered: 'Of the sons of Israel are we; and now, go and tell the Ishmaelites
to leave the Temple, for their time is up. Tell them that thus were you
commanded by Abraham the Hebrew, and Moses the lawgiver, and Elijah the
prophet!'".
Sources:Yellinek
(ed.) Beit ha-Midrash, VI, p. 149. Kovetz al-Yad, IV, p. 47..
Culled
from: Zev Vilnay: Legends of Jerusalem, Jewish Publication Society,
1973.
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