The Jewish holy temple in Jerusalem, rebuilt after the First Temple, central to pilgrimage and ritual in antiquity.
Israeli police have maintained security around Jerusalem’s Temple Mount while Jewish visitors, accompanied by police protection, have reportedly performed prayers and raised flags. The Al-Aqsa compound remains a flashpoint amid ongoing clashes and international concern.
Archaeologists have uncovered a well-preserved ritual bath complex from the early first century CE near the Temple Mount, offering new details on pilgrimage practices during the Second Temple period. The find includes a hydraulic drainage system and multiple mikvaot, with researchers highlighting its role in serving thousands of pilgrims during major festivals.