Moroccan Gate

I guess by now you can tell that I am fascinated by gates. In a walled city, like Jerusalem, walls were used to keep out intruders. They were the protection from invaders. Gates were used to determine who entered the city and what time they entered the city.

The temple compound itself is also walled. It also has gates. The walls protect it from invasion. There are various groups who feel the area is of such importance to them that they would take it over by violence if given the chance.

When we visit the temple mound, we will enter by the Moroccan Gate. It is the only gate that non-Muslims can enter.

Note the tile to the left of the gate. Built into the wall, it gives the gate its title. We will expect this to be a security checkpoint. In Israel, one is expected, even when entering grocery stores, to open their bags and to show that we bring no explosives or weapons.