A record number of Jews visited the Temple Mount during the past Jewish year, an organization working to strengthen Jewish ties to the Jerusalem holy site announced on Thursday.
According to Beyadenu, a Jerusalem-based non-profit, 68,429 Jews ascended the Temple Mount, a 22% increase compared to last year’s 56,057.
“This marks the highest number recorded since systematic documentation began — and likely the highest since the destruction of the Second Temple,” the organization said.
Asked about the significance of the numbers, Beyadenu spokesperson Akiva Ariel told The Press Service of Israel, “The importance is that there is a change. There is a very great awakening in the people of Israel. Once, talk about the Temple and the Temple Mount was attributed to supposedly extremist areas. Today, people talk about the Temple and breathe the Temple.”