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Here, close to Wilson's Arch, is the "Hall of the
Hasmoneans." It was "discovered" by Charles Warren during his excavation
work in the late 1860s. Impressed by its beauty, Warren named the room the "Hall of
the Freemasons."
The room includes a number of
distinctive features:
- The decorative molding
- The central pillar
- A mikveh (ritual bath)
- Ballisticae
- The double door
For a fuller view of how the room may have looked, enjoy
the following picture.
 Drawing courtesy of Dr. Leen Ritmeyer
Was this a Chamber of the Council Building, mentioned by
Josephus? Archaeologists believe that this building was used much earlier, during the
reign of the Hasmoneans, for some public function. This is one of the few remains of the
magnificent buildings from the Second Temple Period.
The hall is part of a group of buildings from the Second
Temple era, which are located next to the Temple Mount. Take a moment to appreciate the
beauty and grandeur, and the room's unique dressed stones. Such craftsmanship is the mark
of the Herodian period. If you look a little closer, you can see the decorative cornice and the capitals that originally ran all
around the room.
In the center of the room, you'll see
a Corinthian pillar. During the Middle Ages the full
pillar was brought into the room to support the ceiling, which had been damaged during the
course of time and needed support. Go back to "Features"
We also see a Mikveh, which was supplied with water from a subterranean spring. Some feel the presence of the
Mikveh indicates that the room may have been used by the Cohanim as part of their
performace of the Temple service. Go back to "Features"
BALLISTICAE
Ever wonder what the ancients used for ballistic missiles?
That's right, ballisticae!
Right in this
room, you'll find a number of ballisticae that were launched by the Romans during their
attack on Jerusalem in 70 C.E., and later against the Bar Kochba rebellion in 132 C.E. Go back to "Features"
Fortunately for us, the damage at that time was small, and
today, almost 2,000 years later, we are back, actively reconnecting to our precious past.
And instead of the Jewish people, it is the Romans who have been buried in the sand dunes
of history.
You glance one more time around the room, aware of the dim
lighting, the cool air, almost able to conjure up a vision of the people of those times. What did they do here? Why did they
come? Your mind races through a hundred images.
Could it be that these rooms were opened to ordinary Jews?
Perhaps they were used as places where the public could eat from the offerings they would
bring to the Temple, almost like an ancient picnic area or bar-b-cue!
Maybe we are not so
distant from our ancient brethren after all...
You can easily see the vision of a family, the father, the
mother, the pack of kids and animals, coming to the Temple from miles and miles away,
coming for Pesach, Shavuos or Succos. They would bring a peace offering and include some
of the meat from that offering in their festive meal. Where would they eat? Perhaps right
here, in this room. Yes, it could have been like that...and now you are here.
Of course, the offerings and the life of the Temple are
enough to fill their own tour. For now, though, we'll leave this room and turn back until
we come upon a large chamber with four wings.
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