The gate has a special holiness; the Shechinah (Divine Presence) has
appeared through this gate.
It became an important task to open with art the gate which has
been closed by man. Everyone should beable to enjoy and experience the
magnificent beauty of this gate entrance. Eve
On the 25th day of Kislev in 164 BCE, the Jews celebrated the rededication and purification of the Temple.
According to the legend, they found only enough special olive oil
(with the seal of the high priest) for lighting the Menorah to
last for one day, but each day, it continued to burn until after
the 8th day, when new oil was ready. The miracle of the 8 days
has been celebrated every year afterwards, with a new candle
lit each day, thus as the days pass, one, two, three, and finally
all 8 candles are lighted.
The lighting of the candles of the Chanuka menorah is symbolic of
the power of enlightenment over the forces of darkness.
"The Mercy Gate, 257 m north of the south-eastern corner of the
Temple Mount, is the most beautiful of all the gates of Jerusalem.
It is approached from within the Temple Mount by twenty-two stairs,
which lead into a magnificent entrance, decorated with unusually
intricate carvings of acanthus leaves, which appear to be moving.
The gateroom is a hall with six domes supported by huge marble
pillars. On the east side of the hall are two gateways, now blocked
up, beautifully decorated on the outside."
Read more about it at: http://www.templemount.org/visittemp.html
The Mercy (Golden) Gate (Bab el Rahmeh) appears in the legends of
all three religions. An early Jewish tradition holds that it is
through that gate that the Messiah will enter Jerusalem. According
to Christian tradition, Jesus made made his last entry to Jerusalem
through the Mercy Gate. The Muslims refer to it as the Gate of Mercy
and believe it to be the gate referred to in the Koran, through which
the just will pass on the Day of Judgment.
Psalms 24:
[7] Lift up your head, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
[8] Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.
[9] Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
[10] Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.
