The year 5786 has concluded with a historic milestone: 68,944 Jews ascended to the Temple Mount over the past year, according to comprehensive statistics released by Beyadenu, an organization advocating for Jewish access to the site. The figure represents an increase over the 68,429 visitors recorded in 5785 and marks the highest number of Jewish visitors to the holy site ever documented.
The achievement is particularly striking given the limited access: the Temple Mount was open to Jewish visitors on just 220 days throughout the year, remaining closed for 134 days due to Shabbat, Muslim holidays, and security closures. The busiest month was Tishrei, which saw 12,778 Jewish visitors, while the single busiest day was Tisha B'Av, when 4,288 Jews ascended in one day alone.
Beyadenu officials noted that following security events and Operation Lion's Roar, the Temple Mount was completely closed to Jewish entry for an extended period. Without those closure days and the severe restrictions imposed during that time, the number of visitors would have been thousands higher, establishing the annual record by a far wider margin.
A striking trend emerged in families and couples choosing to mark pivotal life moments at the Temple Mount. During the year, 217 grooms and brides ascended during their wedding year, 160 grooms and 57 brides, representing a significant increase from the 124 grooms and 44 brides in 5785. Additionally, 45 young people celebrated becoming bar or bat mitzvah at the site, including 36 bar mitzvah celebrants and 9 bat mitzvah celebrants.
