In the wake of Arab riots, major halachic authority Rabbi Elyashiv reiterated his prohibition for Jews to visit the Temple Mount—as indeed the Muslims demand. The visits are banned because Jews lack the ashes of a red heifer for purification, and so persist in a state of ritual impurity. There are many red cows in Israel, but rabbis set an unrealistically high standard, that the cow must have no more than two hairs of another color.
Basic decency toward the Jews who guard our country against rioting Arabs would have suggested Rabbi Elyashiv keep silent on the matter for the time being.
The Palestinians are using the Temple Mount riots as a dress rehearsal for the Third Intifada.
