by Liam Fialkov
“So, dad,” Uri asked. “Are they going to rebuild the temple?”
“No!” his father answered. “The religious people are against it.”
“The religious Jews?” Uri didn’t understand.
“Yes,” his father said. “They think that we have to wait for the messiah to come. Some of them believe that he will come riding a donkey or some silly thing like that.”
Chapter 35
Michael had dinner in the dining room for the last time. Tomorrow morning he’ll be on his way to Jerusalem. He knew he would miss the shared meals and the atmosphere of solidarity with one another.
After the meal, he went to his cabin and packed his belongings. A feeling of loneliness descended on him. He called his home, and his wife picked up the phone.
“Hi Melany.” He tried to sound upbeat.
“Hi Michael.”
“Tomorrow, I’m going to Jerusalem.”
“Good Luck.”
They both knew that they should be careful of what they say on the phone; after all they supposedly had a falling out in their relationship. But was there anything more than pretending? Did she sound distant? Upset at him? Did his mission create a real alienation in their relationship? He hoped that when he returned, he’ll manage to straighten up his connection with the love of his life.
“Could I talk to Linda?”
“She already went to sleep.”
“Please kiss her good night for me and tell her that daddy will be home soon.”
“I will, Michael, take care of yourself.”
“Goodnight, Melany.”
She hung up the phone.
She sounded tired, weary. Michael didn’t know what to make of it.
He looked around and decided to clean the cabin. It wasn’t late, and he wasn’t tired. I couldn’t fall asleep anyway. He swept the floor with a broom he’d found in the shower. It was getting cold, so he turned on the heater. Within minutes the cabin was warm, so he took off his long-sleeved shirt and remained in a t-shirt. Then he opened his laptop and checked the weather and other news in Jerusalem. Nothing out of the ordinary over there.
There was a knock on the door. 10:30 p.m., who could that be?
He opened the door, and there she was. Mary. He knew he was supposed to be surprised, but he wasn’t. Maybe subconsciously, he even wished for her company.
It was rainy and windy outside, and she stood in there wearing only a thin gown.
“Can I come in?” She asked in her pleasant deep voice.
“Mary, I don’t think it’s such a good idea.”
“Why not?”
“We are both married and—
“You are separated,” she looked directly at him. “Are you not?”
“And what about you?” He questioned her.
“Let me worry about my own affairs. Charles knows that I’m not the Madonna. I am a woman, and sometimes I have a woman’s needs.”
Michael realized that he wondered about it, to himself, whether Charles, in his disabled condition, was able…
The cold wind made her body shiver, but she stood motionless. Her black hair was already soaked, and her thin gown stuck to her body and emphasized her attractive arches. She looked wild. Michael sensed how, as the raindrops were whipping her head and shoulders, and running down her unprotected body, so were his defenses crumbling. He could no longer keep her standing outside.
“Come in,” he said in a hoarse voice.
She entered his warm cabin, and he closed the door behind her. As she passed him, he felt as if his body was magnetized and drawn toward her. He was awakened, and he sensed he was way past the point of no return. He turned off most of the lights in the cabin.
“Mary,” he whispered as he helped her take off her soggy gown. He reached for a dry towel and wiped her wet, naked body. Then he embraced her warmly until she stopped shivering.
“Michael,” she whispered back.
He knew the only way he could quell the fire that took over his entire body was to completely let go and merge with the beautiful being who entered his cabin, asking him to love her.
Chapter 36
"The world was not created until God took a stone called Even haShetiya and threw it into the depths where it was fixed from above till below, and from it the world expanded. It is the centre point of the world and on this spot stood the Holy of Holies.
- The Zohar
Jerusalem, Present Time
Michael traveled to Jerusalem, along with several group members. Their flight landed in Ben Gurion Airport, near Tel Aviv, and from there, they continued to Jerusalem by train.
Masquerading as a group of enthusiastic Christian pilgrims, the group rented a whole floor of a hotel in the western part of Jerusalem. Michael learned that they also rented a large, bankrupted factory near the city of Modi’in, where they constructed the sections of the temple—that would be assembled on the Temple Mount. Most of the group worked around the clock, ate, and slept at their Modi’in site. The hotel in Jerusalem was a place where they could get an occasional rest from their hard labor and take a shower.
The leader of the group who ran the whole operation, was introduced to Michael by his first name, Paul. At around forty years of age, Paul looked similar to most of the men in the group, as he had long hair and beard. To himself, Michael thought they all looked or tried to look like Jesus, though he recognized that by then, his hair and beard grew, and he looked like the rest of them.
Paul was Charles’ right-hand man, who has been with him for many years. While Charles was the spiritual leader of the group, Paul was the logistic and executive manager who knew how to get things done. A former army captain and a helicopter pilot, he ran the whole operation like a military campaign. Charles knew he could count on Paul’s administrative and commanding skills, and indeed, thanks to Paul’s tireless efforts, the plan was in place and ready to execute on the ‘auspicious day.’
“I’d like to go to Modi’in and help with the preparations,” Michael, who arrived in Jerusalem just two days before the so-called ‘auspicious day,’ told Paul.
Paul’s response was very clear, “your job is to stay out of the way!” Paul’s phone rang, and he reached for it, apparently, not intending to give the matter another thought.
Michael was a little offended by how swiftly his offer of help was denied. He wondered if they suspected anything about him, but he brushed the disturbing thoughts aside and looked forward to having two days to explore Jerusalem.
He took the Jerusalem Light Rail and entered the famous old city—still surrounded by centuries-old walls—through the Damascus Gate. Michael enjoyed strolling and exploring the lively and colorful Arab market, containing sights, smells and sounds he never encountered before. He bought an embroidered robe for Melany and a little Oud—an oriental stringed instrument—for Linda, who started to show a musical inclination.
The market had narrow, paving-stoned streets, and it was full of curious tourists from all over the world. The store sellers actively approached the tourists, eager to sell their goods. Michael noted how, amid all that commotion, one could forget that this city was coveted by different and opposing peoples, nations, and religions. For a moment, one could forget the wars and the tremendous bloodshed that claimed the lives of thousands of civilians and soldiers through more than three thousand years. As a reminder of the still sensitive situation were the armed Israeli soldiers, who stood aside but attentively watched the activities, ready to intervene in the event of a disturbance.
Michael walked in the Via Dolorosa, ‘The Way of Grief,’ which was part of the market. He tried to imagine Jesus walking and carrying a big cross on his back. The Via Dolorosa ended in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, a location believed to be where Jesus was crucified. Michael entered the church, but exited shortly afterward, as the place was crowded with pilgrims and tourists, and looked overly commercialized.
***
The following day was the ‘auspicious day,’ the day
Charles Bishop designated for executing the mission, the day when the new, third temple will be resurrected, descend from the sky. Michael, being barred from helping in the preparations, got up early and went to visit the Temple Mount. This is the place; he thought while stepping into the site. This is what so many people had yearned for, fought, and died for, in ferocious wars. The Jebusites and the Hebrews, the Assyrians and the Babylonians, the Romans and the Greeks. Finally, the Muslims had the upper hand when, led by Saladin, they defeated the Crusaders. And now? Will Charles Bishop and his devoted group write the next chapter?
Michael was deeply worried when he thought of the possible reproductions. Well, at least they are not planning to blow up the Dome of the Rock, he thought to himself, but build the temple next to it. Then it will be my role to convince the world and mainly the Muslims that we came in peace. Could I do it? He wasn’t sure, but he was going to give it his best shot.
He knew that he had to summon a press conference and declare that he represents the group, but wasn’t this task too big for him? Or for anybody? Charles was right when he said that Michael was articulate, but Michael knew that he lacked experience. Perhaps the best thing would be to go to the Israeli authorities and reveal the plan? But would they believe him? Would they take action in time? All of a sudden, Michael was struck by a disturbing thought: it dawned on him that somewhere inside of him, he wanted Bishop to succeed… During the two months he’d spent on the land, the teachings of Bishop trickled and found a core deep inside of him… Perhaps he was even enamored with Bishop and his people, not to mention Mary…
The Temple Mount was surprisingly serene on that morning hour. There were no signs of possible disturbances, and only a few visitors walked around. Michael saw a group of Italian tourists and their guide. He wondered if they felt even a shred of remorse for the actions and cruelty of their ancestors. He doubted it. Armed Israeli soldiers kept to themselves.
The Dome of the Rock turned out to be a magnificent structure. It was beautifully ornamented with crafty patterns and verses from the Muslim’s holy book, the Quran. Its roof was the famous golden dome.
Michael stepped over to the entrance, where a few Arab men sat, enjoying the morning sun.
“Could I go inside?” he asked.
“No!” Said one of the men.
They examined him. Their gaze was hostile and suspicious.
“Only Muslims!” Said another man.
Michael peeked inside through the open doors. He saw a section of a gigantic rock that looked massive, wide, and long, though not very tall.
So, this is the famous rock? He thought to himself while walking away, The foundation stone? The drinking stone? The naval point of the world? The spiritual junction of Heaven and Earth?
Michael had his doubts.
The Temple Mount had several other structures. With the help of a tourist map, Michael recognized the bulky Al-Aqsa Mosque, which didn’t trigger his interest. He searched for the structure that Bishop mentioned, on his first day in God’s Land, and there it was, the Dome of the Spirits or Dome of the Tablets. It was a small octagonal dome, located about 200 yards from The Dome of the Rock. After his conversation with Bishop, Michael investigated the subject. He’d found that indeed, several notable researchers believed, like Bishop, that the Dome of the Rock was not located where the temple used to be, among them, the dome of the spirit was a leading alternative for the right place of the temple.
Michael stepped inside the dome of the spirits. Was it allowed? Oddly, no one was around to tell him otherwise. There was something about the place. Michael had a strange sensation as if he connected with something. What was it? Was he standing on sacred ground? Where the Ark of the Covenant used to be? Before the Babylonians destroyed the first temple? He examined the floor of the structure. In his research, he learned that the entire Temple Mount was paved except those few square yards of the Dome of the Spirits, where the floor consisted of the original rock of Mount Moriah. Michael kneeled and touched the rock. Was it the real fountain stone? Where the holy of holies used to stand two thousand years ago? He couldn’t tell.
He looked around. There was certainly plenty of space for the temple, without intruding on the Dome of the Rock. But will the Muslims accept it? Agree to live side by side? In peace? Michael knew that the literal meaning of the word Islam is ‘peace.’
He can use it in his press conference when appealing to the Muslims… It made sense, but upon farther thought, Michael didn’t believe that the Muslims could agree to the existence of the temple as a peaceful neighbor for the Dome of the Rock. They will probably start rioting right away.
***
The site was closing, and visitors were urged to vacate the Temple Mount. He took a selfie, standing next to the Dome of the Spirits, with the Dome of the Rock behind him. After all, he was also a tourist.
After leaving the Temple Mount, Michael was curious to visit the western wall, which the Jews referred to as the Kotel. The place is sacred to the Jews, who believed it to be the only remaining wall of the original Temple Mount. The square in front of the Kotel was crowded with orthodox Jews who came to pray, touch the big rocks, and some of them followed the custom of writing a note, or a plea to God and inserting it in the cracks between the rocks. Michael watched an old man, who’d just wrote his special message. Unfortunately for the man, there were so many notes in the cracks that no room was left for his message, and every time he tried to shove his note, it immediately fell right out.
Michael saw a lineup of Israeli soldiers being sworn to defend their country. He remembered Ruth, who was formerly an Israeli soldier, and she told him that the Kotel wasn’t the real thing. He figured that Ruth was probably on the site at Modi’in, helping her friends with putting the last touches on the new temple.
It was after 3 p.m., definitely time to find something to eat, as he didn’t eat anything since the sandwich he had in the morning.
He tried to call Rachel, maybe they could eat together, but there was no answer.
Not far from the Western Wall’s square, he saw stairs going up a steep mountain. He knew this was the direction of the old city, where he could find many restaurants. He started to climb up the stairs, where on every curve, beggars were pleading for money. Michael was tired and hungry; he went past the beggars, and at the top of the stairs, he found himself in the Jewish quarter of the old city. He saw a restaurant that advertised shish kebab, and another one that had ‘holy bagels.’ He went for the latter, perhaps because he needed a taste of home. In Brooklyn, he used to frequent bagelries where he liked to order a bagel with Philadelphia cream cheese.
So, he ordered a large bagel with smoked salmon, cream cheese, and lots of vegetables, heated on a hot plate. The serving was generous and delicious. He looked around as he was enjoying his meal. All those people had no idea that just before midnight, the whole city, and the entire country will be in a state of a blackout, their phones will not work, and they will have no electricity in their houses. Will they sleep at that time? Unaware that when they wake up, they’ll be in for a surprise?
At around 4 p.m., his phone rang loud. Michael glanced at the phone and didn’t recognize the number.
“Hello,” he said, thinking it could be Rachel.
“Hi, Michael.”
Michael immediately recognized McPherson’s voice.
“Stewart,” Michael said. “I thought you’d connect with me only through Rachel.”
“There’s no time,” McPherson said somberly. “Michael, this is an emergency, and we have no time for chit chat; we managed to hack into the group’s server. They may have been on to you, and didn’t inform you about their changed plan.”
“Changed Plan?” Michael was surprised.
“Michael,” McPherson said, “I’m talking on a scrambled line, but it’s minutes before their computer will be able to crack it and block the signal, so listen up! We managed to decipher most of their computer codes, and we hacked into their central system. W
e learned that they knew about your spying mission for some time, at least the people at the top, which is why they were extra cautious in your presence and didn’t reveal their changed plan.”
“What is this changed plan?” Michael asked, suddenly feeling queasy.
“They are going to blow up the Dome of the Rock.”
“Holy Moly,” Michael muttered.
“Michael,” McPherson said, “you must stop them, or there will be a horrible war.”
Chapter 37
“The hour and the day no man knoweth, neither the angels in heaven, nor shall they know until he comes.”
- Doctrine and Covenants 49:7
“Stewart,” Michael said, “I have no idea how to go about it.”
“Do you know how to get to the Western Wall?” McPherson asked.
“Yes,” Michael said, “in fact, I’ve just been there."
“Go back to the Kotel,” McPherson said. “Right next to it, there’s a popular tourist attraction called the Western Wall Tunnels. These are tunnels that extend under the old city and explores long sections of the Western Wall that were buried underground. They also excavated narrow streets and other archeological artifacts from the time of the second temple."
“Have you been there?” Michael was curious.
“Five years ago,” McPherson said. “Anyway, the operators of the site are most likely in cahoots with Bishop’s group.”
“The tunnels extend under the Temple Mount?” Michael asked.