The Rebuilding of the Temple of Jerusalem

The Emperor Hadrian issued an edict which allowed no Jew to approach Jerusalem except on the anniversary of the capture of the city by Titus, when, on payment of a large sum, they were admitted to the city to mourn over the site of their fallen greatness. This edict was still in force in the reign of Julian the Apostate.

Julian the Apostate, to disprove the prophecy of Christ, attempted to rebuild the temple of Jerusalem.

It is said that he summoned some of the most eminent Jews into his presence, and asked them why they did not offer sacrifices according to their lawgiver's command. Upon their answering that it was not lawful to sacrifice except in the temple of Jerusalem (a privilege of which they had long been deprived), the emperor gave them leave to rebuild the temple, and appointed one of his own officers to superintend the work. The dispersed Jews assembled from all quarters, in eagerness to forward the undertaking by means of their labor and of their hoarded wealth.

Women gave their ornaments toward defraying the cost, and themselves carried burdens of earth in their silken dresses. Even tools of silver are said to have been used in the work. The long-depressed people loudly proclaimed their expectations of a triumphant restoration, when the attempt was terribly defeated.

The newly laid foundations were overthrown by an earthquake; and balls of fire burst forth from the ground, scorching and killing many of the workmen.

Their tools were melted by lightning; and it is added by some writers, that the figure of a cross surrounded by a circle appeared in the sky, and that the garments and bodies of the workmen were marked with crosses which it was impossible to efface.

The truth of some of these phenomena is attested by heathen as well as Christian writers; but the question remains, how much of the story ought to be regarded as fabulous embellishment, and how far the occurrences, which produced the impression of miracle, may have been the result of ordinary physical causes.

It has been supposed that some portions of Julian's work may yet be distinguished among the ruins of the temple.

At present the Mohammedan mosque of Omar occupies the site of the original temple of Jerusalem.