by Worthy News Jerusalem Bureau Staff
(Worthy News) – In a rare and controversial move on the Jewish festival of Shavuot, a group of Jewish priests (Kohanim) ascended the Temple Mount and attempted to offer the traditional “Two Loaves” sacrifice at the site believed to be the location of the ancient altar, marking what activists say is the first sacrificial act on the Temple Mount since the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 A.D.
The group, affiliated with the Temple Mount movement and under the halachic supervision of Rabbi Israel Ariel, president of the Temple Institute, wore priestly garments and carried out the ritual in defiance of both Israeli police and Islamic Waqf authorities who oversee the compound.
According to eyewitnesses and movement sources, the priest sanctified his hands and feet using a ritual vessel, then received the two loaves from a supporter who managed to bring them to the site despite opposition from Waqf officials. The priest reportedly elevated the loaves as prescribed by Torah law before being removed by police.
“There are differing reports as to whether the loaves were waved, as commanded in Leviticus, or if the ritual was stopped just prior,” one source close to the event said.
After the attempted offering, Rabbi Ariel, visibly moved, recited the traditional Shehecheyanu blessing, thanking God for enabling the participants to reach this moment, as the crowd responded with a heartfelt “Amen.”
The “Returning to the Mount” movement issued a statement applauding the priests’ actions. “We salute the activists who renewed the Temple service for the first time in 2,000 years. Renewing the priestly service and the offering of sacrifices on the Temple Mount is the only solution to end the multi-front war and bring back the hostages. We call on the Israeli government to pass a government decision tomorrow to resume the order of sacrificial services.”
The act has already stirred significant debate in Israel and abroad. The Temple Mount remains one of the most sensitive religious and political flashpoints in the Middle East. While Jews are permitted to visit the site under police supervision, any form of Jewish prayer or ritual activity is tightly restricted by longstanding agreements aimed at avoiding conflict.
Police have not yet commented publicly on the incident.
PROPHETIC SIGNIFICANCE OF A THIRD TEMPLE
A future Third Temple in Jerusalem, while regarded by some as a fulfillment of biblical prophecy, is understood by many Christian prophecy scholars to be deeply intertwined with a period of great deception that is yet to come.
Drawing from 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12, they warn that this temple may become the focal point of what Scripture calls a “strong delusion”—a divinely permitted deception that blinds those who have rejected the truth.
Furthermore, in light of Matthew 24:24, where Jesus warns that false messiahs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders capable of deceiving—“if that were possible, even the elect”—these scholars caution that the rebuilding of the Temple could serve as a religious smokescreen for the rise of the Antichrist.
Rather than being a holy restoration, they suggest it could be the very place where the “man of sin” exalts himself “above all that is called God” (2 Thessalonians 2:4), misleading many into accepting him as the Messiah.
Shavuot offering successfully brought up to the Temple Mount – the sacrifice was halted at the last moment pic.twitter.com/ZmM6eHP5sM
— פעילי הר הבית (@TheTempleMoun) June 2, 2025
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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