A record 3,698 Jews ascended Har HaBayis on Tishah B'Av this year, according to organizers, surpassing last year's total of 3,527 visitors.
The majority of leading poskim and Gedolei Yisroel across the Torah world have ruled that Jews are prohibited from ascending Har HaBayis under current circumstances. For decades, prominent authorities including Rav Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook, Rav Isser Zalman Meltzer, Rav Ovadia Yosef, Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv, and others have maintained that entry is strictly forbidden due to uncertainty about the precise boundaries of prohibited areas and the location of the Makom HaMikdash. They have consistently held that Jews must refrain from ascending the site until the coming of Moshiach and the rebuilding of the Beis HaMikdash.
Rav Elisha Wolfson, Rosh Yeshiva of the Temple Mount Yeshiva, welcomed the increased attendance. "It is moving to see the masses of the House of Israel coming to visit the site of the Temple. Thank God, we were privileged to pray on the Mount using Tisha B'Av prayer booklets and beneath shade canopies in the eastern section. There is no doubt that the process of returning to Zion is making groundbreaking progress year after year," He said.
Rav Wolfson argued that yearning for Tzion should be expressed through visits to Har HaBayis conducted according to halachic guidelines his organization advocates. He noted that conditions on the site have changed significantly over the past two years, particularly since National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir assumed office. "Today there are songs, prayers, and prostration on the Temple Mount. And starting today, there are also shade canopies and Tisha B'Av prayer booklets," He said.
According to Rav Wolfson, the yeshiva's talmidim ascend Har HaBayis daily after immersing in a mikveh, learn Torah at the site, and maintain a constant presence there throughout the year.