Tag Archives: Al-Aqsa Mosque

Judaism vs. Islam

Why did Islam emerge in 7th-century Arabia and what role did Jews play in its early history? How does Judaism view Islam today? And what are the similarities and differences between the two religions? Find out in this class where we also explore the Jewish wives and advisors of Muhammad, if a Jew is allowed to pray in a mosque, and an incredible prophecy about the role of Ishmael at the End of Days.

For the class on ‘Judaism vs. Christianity’, please see here.

Understanding the Arab-Israeli Conflict in 5 Easy Points (also includes a video about the true location of Al-Aqsa).

On the Arab-Jewish kings Abu Kariba and Dhu Nawas.

On Rayhana and Safiyya, the Jewish wives of Muhammad.

Please see also ‘How the Torah Alluded to Christianity and Islam’ in Garments of Light, Volume Two, which also has an in-depth exploration of the proper pronunciations of the Hebrew alphabet.

Regarding black and blue colours in ancient texts, see here.

For the paper on ‘Muhammad, the Jews, and the Composition of the Qur’an: Sacred History and Counter-History’ see here.

Things You Didn’t About King Solomon

A Modern Replica of the Mishkan in Timna, Israel

This week’s parasha, Terumah, begins the Torah’s lengthy descriptions of the Mishkan, the “mobile sanctuary” or “tabernacle”. Fittingly, the Haftarah is a passage from I Kings describing King Solomon’s construction of the Jerusalem Temple, the permanent version of the Mishkan. Once the Temple was completed, it seems that Solomon actually brought the original Mishkan into the Temple and “parked” it there (I Kings 8:4-6). As per tradition, Solomon foresaw the future destruction of his own Temple, and made sure to build a secret chamber within the Temple Mount to hide the Ark of the Covenant and the original Mishkan vessels there, for safekeeping until the Final Redemption and the Third Temple.

The basic details of his biography are well-known: he reigned as king of a unified Israel for 40 years in a peaceful era (alluded to by his name, Shlomo, meaning “peace”); he had many wives and concubines; and he wrote three books of Tanakh: Mishlei (“Proverbs”), Kohelet (“Ecclesiastes”), and Shir haShirim (“Song of Songs”). What else do we know about this enigmatic king? Some of the lesser-known details will surely surprise you! Continue reading →