The Tunnel to Moriah

Melody Shobe, one of our stellar Bible students, visited Israel/Palestine this past academic year with her husband Casey. One of the neat experiences she shared upon her return was her visit to the ancient tunnel alongside the Temple Mount in Jerusalem's Old City. Walking along this narrow path, you trace the steps that ancient Israelite worshipers took thousands of years ago, and you are actually able to touch the rock of Moriah.

When it was opened in 1996, the tunnel sparked fierce Palestinian protest, allegedly fueled by the allegation that Jews were conspiring to seek control of the Temple Mount by literally undermining it. Ensuing gun battles in the West Bank and Gaza Strip killed 54 Palestinians and 14 Israeli soldiers.