A large stone block in the Western Wall at the Temple Mount recently came loose and crashed into a mixed-gender prayer platform below, narrowly missing a woman who was praying there. The 220-pound boulder came loose from the original Herodian course above, although what caused it to become dislodged is still unknown. A team from the Israel Antiquities Authority is investigating the incident and plans to construct a scaffolding to determine whether vegetation, water build-up, or another factor caused the damage. They also plan to examine the surrounding stones by hand using laser technology to ensure that there is no risk of other ancient blocks of stone falling. The IAA also plans to analyze whether or not the stone that fell can be safely returned to its place in the wall. The Western Wall is part of the wall from the Second Temple complex which the Romans destroyed in 70 AD. The area surrounding the mixed-gender prayer platform is surrounded by hewn rocks from the Temple complex that the Romans cast down when they destroyed the temple 2000 years ago. Jesus predicted this event in Matthew 24:1-2 approximately 40 years before it occurred.
Off-site Links:
- https://www.timesofisrael.com/ancient-boulder-dislodges-from-western-wall-crashes-onto-egalitarian-plaza/
- https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/249506
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jr0vfwy9XLQ
