Synopses & Reviews
A fully illustrated history of the Temple of Solomon andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;andbull; Examines the Temple of Solomon in the Hebrew Scriptures, the New Testament, and Apocryphal writings andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;andbull; Explores its role in the founding of Freemasonry, the legends of the Knights Templar, the doctrines of the Kabbalah, and the teachings of Islam andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;andbull; Explains the sacred nature of the Temple Mount--the site of the Temple of Solomon--and the secrets that may still be hidden there andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;andbull; Richly illustrated, including many photos and images from rare archives andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;The spiritual heart of many esoteric societies, the Temple of Solomon was located atop the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, a site venerated by the three great monotheistic religions as the intersection of Divine and human. Built by King Solomon at the peak of ancient Israelandrsquo;s power, the Temple of Solomon housed the golden Ark of the Covenant in its Holy of Holies, a sacred chamber where one could communicate directly with God. Centuries after the templeandrsquo;s destruction, the Temple Mount was used as the headquarters for the Knights Templar during the Crusades, and countless legends have come down through the centuries about the secrets they may have uncovered there, including discovery of the Holy Grail or the Ark of the Covenant. andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;Richly illustrated with biblical and Masonic illustrations, photographs, and ancient and modern paintings--many from rare archives--this book explores the Temple of Solomon in the Hebrew Scriptures, the New Testament, and Apocryphal writings as well as its role in the founding of Freemasonry, the legends of the Knights Templar, the doctrines of the Kabbalah, and Muhammadandrsquo;s visionary journey from the Temple Mount through the heavens. Seeking to understand the powerful desire of many religions and secret societies to re-create the temple through ritual and prayer, James Wasserman explains why it was built, the magical forces King Solomon may have used in its creation, what its destruction meant for Jews and Christians alike, and why the Knights Templar as well as several modern secret societies named their orders after it. Detailing the sacred architecture of this perfectly proportioned mystical edifice through words and art, the author reveals the Temple of Solomon as the affirmation of Godandrsquo;s presence in human affairs, the spiritual root of Western culture, and an important monument to the Divine nearly forgotten in todayandrsquo;s secular times but sorely needed to bridge the divide between our ancient past and our spiritual future.
Review
andldquo;Erudite and gorgeously illustrated, andlt;Iandgt;The Temple of Solomonandlt;/Iandgt; places the Jerusalem Temple in its historical and cultural perspective, drawing on sacred books and ancient historians alike to trace the history of the Tabernacle, the First and Second Temples, and the Temple as a visionary experience and esoteric paradigm through more than three thousand years of transformations. This is essential reading not only for students of esoteric spirituality and ancient mysteries but also for anyone fascinated by the lore of the worldandrsquo;s most famous holy place.andrdquo;
Review
andldquo;For those of all faiths or none, layman or specialist alike . . . this erudite and eminently informative book is a comprehensive, readable survey of the history of the Temple of Solomon, one of Western cultureandrsquo;s most important buildings, replete with fascinating reflection and objective historical detail. A visual cornucopia, its beautiful illustrations take the reader further toward the heart and soul of the timeless wisdom of Solomon--a journey not to be missed. Highly recommended.andrdquo;
Review
andldquo;andlt;Iandgt;The Temple of Solomon andlt;/Iandgt;represents the separation of sacred and profane, the sacrifice of space, effort, and resources to a greater yet invisible purpose. It signifies the distillation of the spiritual aspiration from the realm of the physical body. It is the manifestation of faith, the materialization of intention, the dedication of oneself and oneandrsquo;s community to the service and celebration of the divine. It is the Word made Flesh.andrdquo;
Review
andldquo;Wassermanandrsquo;s lavishly illustrated narrative places the Temple of Solomon, with all its rich cultural and metaphorical meanings, in its proper literary context by returning to the original source of everything we know about it: The Bible. andlt;Iandgt;The Temple of Solomonandlt;/Iandgt; is more than just the literary biography of a building, however; it is the anatomy of an icon that has shaped humanityandrsquo;s faith, history, art, literature, archaeology, fraternity, and so much more.andrdquo;
Review
andldquo;James Wasserman provides a great service by keeping the story of the Holy Temple firmly fixed in the narrative of the Scriptures. From the Books of Moses to the vision of the New Jerusalem in the Revelation of St. John the Divine, from the Crusades of the Knights Templar to the esoteric interpretations of Freemasonry, the evolution and meaning of the Temple is revealed in a rich matrix of history, hope, faith and personal spiritual experience. It is this latter component that gives this book such immediacy. With genuine passion, the author demonstrates that historicity--while vital to our knowledge of the subject--is far less important than coming to understand that the Holy of Holies lies within the human heart and that the Temple of God is the body of the flesh that beareth it.andrdquo;
Review
andldquo;In andlt;Iandgt;The Temple of Solomonandlt;/Iandgt;, James Wasserman has delivered an inspired work on one of the most important subjects in the history of the spiritual tradition. This book is unique and timely, serving to bring the Judeo-Christian foundations of Western civilization into focus. andlt;Iandgt;The Temple of Solomonandlt;/Iandgt; explores the spiritual and cultural origin of the threats to life and liberty we face in our lives today. The author brings clarity, wisdom, and personal experience to this work, which sets it apart from all other books on the subject.andrdquo;
Review
andldquo;James Wasserman has done it again! In andlt;Iandgt;The Temple of Solomonandlt;/Iandgt; he brings dusty, biblical history to life in an exciting but scholarly way and then fully meets the challenge of making it relevant to the modern reader. He shows that when the law of God is written in our hearts and flowing in our blood, our physical body temple becomes our spiritual temple. Well done!andrdquo;
Review
andldquo;While the Holy Ground of the Temple Mount has long been mentioned in esoteric literature, for far too long those who would claim to be its modern heirs have ignored and even been hostile to their Abrahamic origins. In the Holy of Holies it is said that God spoke to Israel; in these pages, it may be said that God is speaking to us, making it essential reading for students of the Western esoteric traditions.andrdquo;
Review
andldquo;Whether your interest is mystical, metaphysical, or academic, this is a book you donandrsquo;t want to miss. Wasserman has captured the power of both the Temple Mount and the structures that have been built there through the millenia. . . Available in both hardcover and paperback - and filled with photographs, paintings, and drawings - this is a great coffee table book, gift item, or religious / historical resource.andrdquo;
Review
andldquo;With colorful paintings, illustrations, and photographs all throughout, andlt;Iandgt;The Temple of Solomonandlt;/Iandgt; is a strongly recommended pick for community and library religion and history collections.andrdquo;
Review
andldquo;This is an excellent book that covers the entire history of the Temple of Solomon. This covers the building of the temple, its operation by the priests, and its destruction by the Roman Legions. This covers the knghts Templars, the Crusades, and the Dome of the Rock and explains the modern day conflict between the Jews and the Muslims. This book makes everything clear to the reader. This is an Excellent book that you should add to your religious library.andrdquo;
Review
“Erudite and gorgeously illustrated, The Temple of Solomon places the Jerusalem Temple in its historical and cultural perspective, drawing on sacred books and ancient historians alike to trace the history of the Tabernacle, the First and Second Temples, and the Temple as a visionary experience and esoteric paradigm through more than three thousand years of transformations. This is essential reading not only for students of esoteric spirituality and ancient mysteries but also for anyone fascinated by the lore of the world’s most famous holy place.” < b=""> John Michael Greer <> , author of < i=""> The Wealth of Nature <> , < i=""> The New Encyclopedia of the Occult <> , and & ldquo;The Archdruid Report & rdquo; blog
Review
“For those of all faiths or none, layman or specialist alike . . . this erudite and eminently informative book is a comprehensive, readable survey of the history of the Temple of Solomon, one of Western culture’s most important buildings, replete with fascinating reflection and objective historical detail. A visual cornucopia, its beautiful illustrations take the reader further toward the heart and soul of the timeless wisdom of Solomon--a journey not to be missed. Highly recommended.” < b=""> Karen Ralls, Ph.D. <> , world religions and spirituality scholar at the University of Oxford, England, and author of < i=""> The Templars and the Grai <> l and < i=""> The Knights Templar Encycl
Review
“The Temple of Solomon represents the separation of sacred and profane, the sacrifice of space, effort, and resources to a greater yet invisible purpose. It signifies the distillation of the spiritual aspiration from the realm of the physical body. It is the manifestation of faith, the materialization of intention, the dedication of oneself and one’s community to the service and celebration of the divine. It is the Word made Flesh.” < b=""> (From the prologue) <>
Review
“Wasserman’s lavishly illustrated narrative places the Temple of Solomon, with all its rich cultural and metaphorical meanings, in its proper literary context by returning to the original source of everything we know about it: The Bible. The Temple of Solomon is more than just the literary biography of a building, however; it is the anatomy of an icon that has shaped humanity’s faith, history, art, literature, archaeology, fraternity, and so much more.” < b=""> Richard Kaczynski, Ph.D. <> , author of < i=""> Perdurabo: The Life of Aleister Crowley <>
Review
“James Wasserman provides a great service by keeping the story of the Holy Temple firmly fixed in the narrative of the Scriptures. From the Books of Moses to the vision of the New Jerusalem in the Revelation of St. John the Divine, from the Crusades of the Knights Templar to the esoteric interpretations of Freemasonry, the evolution and meaning of the Temple is revealed in a rich matrix of history, hope, faith and personal spiritual experience. It is this latter component that gives this book such immediacy. With genuine passion, the author demonstrates that historicity--while vital to our knowledge of the subject--is far less important than coming to understand that the Holy of Holies lies within the human heart and that the Temple of God is the body of the flesh that beareth it.” < b=""> J. Daniel Gunther <> , author of < i=""> Initiation in the Aeon of the Child <>
Review
“In The Temple of Solomon, James Wasserman has delivered an inspired work on one of the most important subjects in the history of the spiritual tradition. This book is unique and timely, serving to bring the Judeo-Christian foundations of Western civilization into focus. The Temple of Solomon explores the spiritual and cultural origin of the threats to life and liberty we face in our lives today. The author brings clarity, wisdom, and personal experience to this work, which sets it apart from all other books on the subject.” < b=""> Daniel Pineda <> , author of < i=""> The Book of Secrets <>
Review
“James Wasserman has done it again! In The Temple of Solomon he brings dusty, biblical history to life in an exciting but scholarly way and then fully meets the challenge of making it relevant to the modern reader. He shows that when the law of God is written in our hearts and flowing in our blood, our physical body temple becomes our spiritual temple. Well done!” < b=""> Dr. Bob Hieronimus <> , author of < i=""> Founding Fathers, Secret Societies <> and host of 21st Century Radio
Review
“While the Holy Ground of the Temple Mount has long been mentioned in esoteric literature, for far too long those who would claim to be its modern heirs have ignored and even been hostile to their Abrahamic origins. In the Holy of Holies it is said that God spoke to Israel; in these pages, it may be said that God is speaking to us, making it essential reading for students of the Western esoteric traditions.” < b=""> Mark Stavish <> , author of < i=""> Between the Gates <> and < i=""> Freemasonry: Rituals, Symbols & History of the Secret Society <>
Review
“Whether your interest is mystical, metaphysical, or academic, this is a book you don’t want to miss. Wasserman has captured the power of both the Temple Mount and the structures that have been built there through the millenia. . . Available in both hardcover and paperback - and filled with photographs, paintings, and drawings - this is a great coffee table book, gift item, or religious / historical resource.” < b=""> Anna Jedrziewski <> , InannaWorks.com, October 2011
Review
“With colorful paintings, illustrations, and photographs all throughout, The Temple of Solomon is a strongly recommended pick for community and library religion and history collections.” < i=""> Midwest Book Review <>
Review
andldquo;If you are looking for deeply embedded truths that unite the Judeo-Muslim-Christian religions, you will find them in this book, an in-depth study of the very temple where their beginnings all took place.andrdquo;
Synopsis
A fully illustrated history of the Temple of Solomon
- Examines the Temple of Solomon in the Hebrew Scriptures, the New Testament, and Apocryphal writings
- Explores its role in the founding of Freemasonry, the legends of the Knights Templar, the doctrines of the Kabbalah, and the teachings of Islam
- Explains the sacred nature of the Temple Mount--the site of the Temple of Solomon--and the secrets that may still be hidden there
- Richly illustrated, including many photos and images from rare archives
The spiritual heart of many esoteric societies, the Temple of Solomon was located atop the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, a site venerated by the three great monotheistic religions as the intersection of Divine and human. Built by King Solomon at the peak of ancient Israel's power, the Temple of Solomon housed the golden Ark of the Covenant in its Holy of Holies, a sacred chamber where one could communicate directly with God. Centuries after the temple's destruction, the Temple Mount was used as the headquarters for the Knights Templar during the Crusades, and countless legends have come down through the centuries about the secrets they may have uncovered there, including discovery of the Holy Grail or the Ark of the Covenant.
Richly illustrated with biblical and Masonic illustrations, photographs, and ancient and modern paintings--many from rare archives--this book explores the Temple of Solomon in the Hebrew Scriptures, the New Testament, and Apocryphal writings as well as its role in the founding of Freemasonry, the legends of the Knights Templar, the doctrines of the Kabbalah, and Muhammad's visionary journey from the Temple Mount through the heavens. Seeking to understand the powerful desire of many religions and secret societies to re-create the temple through ritual and prayer, James Wasserman explains why it was built, the magical forces King Solomon may have used in its creation, what its destruction meant for Jews and Christians alike, and why the Knights Templar as well as several modern secret societies named their orders after it. Detailing the sacred architecture of this perfectly proportioned mystical edifice through words and art, the author reveals the Temple of Solomon as the affirmation of God's presence in human affairs, the spiritual root of Western culture, and an important monument to the Divine nearly forgotten in today's secular times but sorely needed to bridge the divide between our ancient past and our spiritual future.
About the Author
James Wasserman is the author of several books, including The Templars and the Assassins, The Secrets of Masonic Washington, The Mystery Traditions, An Illustrated History of the Knights Templar, and The Temple of Solomon. A longtime student of the occult, the United States Constitution, and the writings of the Founding Fathers as well as a member of the Ordo Templi Orientis since 1976, he lives in New York City.
Table of Contents
andlt;Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt;Foreword by Peter Levenda andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;Prologue The Presence of the Lord andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;Introduction The Key to Solomonandrsquo;s Temple andlt;/Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt;Part One andlt;BRandgt;In the Beginningandlt;/Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;1andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp; andlt;/Bandgt;Creation and Destruction: The Garden to the Flood andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;2andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp; andlt;/Bandgt;The Patriarchs and Matriarchs andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;Part Two andlt;BRandgt;Moses, the Tabernacle, and the Lawandlt;/Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;3andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp; andlt;/Bandgt;Exodus: The Freedom to Worship andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;4andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp; andlt;/Bandgt;Leviticus: The Laws of Sacrifice andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;5andlt;/Bandgt;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp; Numbers: The Journey to the Promised Land Continues andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;6andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp; andlt;/Bandgt;Deuteronomy: The Book of the Law of the Temple andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;Part Three andlt;BRandgt;Pre-Monarchical Leadershipandlt;/Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;7andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp; andlt;/Bandgt;Joshua: Subduing the Land of Israel andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;8andlt;/Bandgt;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp; Judges: The People Depart from Righteousness andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;9andlt;/Bandgt;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp; Ruth: The Matriarch of the Kings of Israel andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;10andlt;/Bandgt;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp; Samuel: The Prophet Establishes the Monarchy andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;Part Four andlt;BRandgt;The United Monarchy and the First Templeandlt;/Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;11andlt;/Bandgt;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp; The Reign of Saul: First King of the Realm andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;12andlt;/Bandgt;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp; The Reign of David: The Warrior/Poet andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;13andlt;/Bandgt;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp; The Reign of Solomon: The Building of the Temple andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;Part Five andlt;BRandgt;The Divided Monarchy and the Loss of the Templeandlt;/Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;14andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp; andlt;/Bandgt;The Divided Kingdoms of Judah and Israel andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;15andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp; andlt;/Bandgt;The Loss of the Kingdom of Israel andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;16andlt;/Bandgt;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp; The Loss of the Kingdom of Judah andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;17andlt;/Bandgt;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp; Isaiah, Jeremiah, the Last Days of the Temple of Solomon, and the Exile andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt;Part Six andlt;BRandgt;The Second Templeandlt;/Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;18andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp; andlt;/Bandgt;Ezekielandrsquo;s Vision of the Temple andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;19andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp; andlt;/Bandgt;The Return from Exile and the Second Temple andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;20andlt;/Bandgt;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp; The Second Temple in the Books of Maccabees andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;21andlt;/Bandgt;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp; Herodandrsquo;s Temple andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;Part Seven andlt;BRandgt;The Christian Revelationandlt;/Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;22andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp; andlt;/Bandgt;The Temple in the Story of Jesus andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;23andlt;/Bandgt;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp; The New Jerusalem andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt;Part Eight andlt;BRandgt;The Temple in the Esoteric Traditionandlt;/Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;24andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp; andlt;/Bandgt;The Knights of the Temple andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;25andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp; andlt;/Bandgt;The Freemasons and the Temple andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;Afterword Reflections on the Temple andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;Appendices andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;1 A Brief History of Jerusalem and the Promised Land andlt;BRandgt;2 A Suggestive Chronology of the Temple and Jerusalem andlt;BRandgt;3 The Temple Holidays andlt;BRandgt;4 Maps of the Holy Land andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;Bibliography andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;Permissions andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;Index andlt;/Bandgt;