Pray For The Peace Of Jerusalem

The Temple Institute is an official organization in Israel dedicated to the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple (i.e., the Third Temple, the one that is spoken about in the Bible, in the Book of Revelation).

They already have made many preparations, have priests lined up and ready-to-go and their garments are being made according to the Bible, and many of the Temple furnishings are already made now, including the solid gold (made of one piece) Temple Menora (on display in Israel).

This is no fringe or minority viewpoint with some Christians concerned about Biblical prophecies (as some like to characterize them... LOL...). This is mainstream for Jews and they're intending to have it done.

What do you think is the big "hold-up" on the "final status peace talks" with the Jews and the Arabs right now (and has been for a long time). It's the status of Jerusalem and the status of the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple. The Jews intend to get it done, one way or another.

The Temple Institute Statement of Principles

The Temple Institute is dedicated to all aspects of the Divine commandment for Israel to build a house for G-d's presence, the Holy Temple, on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem. The range of the Institute's involvement with this concept includes education, research, activism, and actual preparation. Our goal is firstly, to restore Temple consciousness and reactive these "forgotten" commandments. We hope that by doing our part, we can participate in the process that will lead to the Holy Temple becoming a reality once more.

Why build the Temple?

Why this fuss over an ancient, seemingly outdated concept? What relationship does the Holy Temple have to our world today? The people of Israel have lived without a Temple for nearly 2,000 years, and seem to be doing fine without one. We don't seem to need it, and G-d certainly doesn't, so why think about rebuilding?

202 Biblical Commandments

The Jewish people accepted the "Yoke of Heaven," the structure of their relationship with the Creator and their spiritual responsibility, at the Mount Sinai revelation. This relationship is based on Israel's acceptance and fulfillment of the Torah's 613 Divine commandments. But in fact, fully one third - 202 of these commandments - are totally dependent on the existence of the Holy Temple for their fulfillment. But what is our attitude regarding these commandments? Do we think of them as inactive, dormant, dead? Do we believe that they are no longer applicable? Do we perhaps relegate them to that nebulous time of messianic redemption; that they will only be activated in the future with the coming of the messiah?

The Torah's commandments are eternal, for now and forever

Nothing can be further from the truth. Maimonides teaches (Sefer Igeret Ha'Shmad) that the performance of all the commandments are not dependent on the coming of the messiah. They are to be fulfilled at all times. G-d does not change His mind, or nullify any of the commandments included in the Torah, which were given once, for all time. In lieu of Temple service, we may observe various "remembrances" of these commandments, but that is all they are - merely gestures of nostalgia.

Fish out of water

But we fool ourselves if we think that the state of Judaism today, without the Temple, is normal. On the contrary, we are like fish out of water. If 1/3 of all the Torah's commandments center on the Temple, it would seem that Biblical observance in the Temple's absence is but a skeleton of what G-d had intended it to be.

Our spiritual alienation

Sadly, much of our contemporary attitudes regarding the Holy Temple are a reflection of our own spiritual bankruptcy and alienation from the spiritual underpinnings of true Torah knowledge and faith. The Holy Temple was not some magnificent building. It was the direct arena for our direct relationship with G-d; the unfolding saga of man's greatest spiritual longing. It was a place where heaven and earth met; a meeting place for man and G-d.

Our relationship with G-d

At this one place on earth, unlike any other, the one place that the Creator Himself chose to rest His presence, the rectification of man's connection with G-d takes place. All people were able to come to the Temple to partake in this direct and fulfilling bond; to recharge their spiritual batteries and come away with a renewed sense of purpose and being.

A new era of universal harmony

Every prophet of Israel, without exception, prophesized that the Temple would be rebuilt, ushering in a new era of universal harmony and peace unparalleled in the history of man. Thus, the "movement" to rebuild the Holy Temple is not new. It was born almost 2,000 years ago, at the moment of the Second Temple's destruction. For when the Holy Temple stood in Jerusalem, it was the soul of Jewish people... and the entire world... as we believe it will be once again.

The rebuilding of the Holy Temple: In our time?

The reality of the Jewish experience means that the Temple will be rebuilt. Many people who visit the Temple Institute are incredulous and cannot help but exclaim: "Do you really think that you will live to see the Holy Temple rebuilt?" The answer to that question is of little importance. Let us rather recall that Jewish history has a trajectory, which began when the patriarch Abraham smashed his father's idols. That trajectory has spanned the millennia, and it is obvious that we are rapidly approaching climactic times, in which the Holy Temple will once again become the focal point for mankind's spiritual focus. Whether this transpires in our generation or not, we can still choose to be active participants, and not simply spectators, in G-d's bold plan for the Redemption of Israel and all humanity.

In case anyone thinks that the rebuilding of the Third Temple is some "apocalyptic pipe dream" of some Christian crazies... (LOL...) ... here is an official Jewish organization that is currently in the process of getting all the things necessary for a Temple in Jersualem ready right now.

The following is from the Temple Institute and their website.

The sacred vessels and vestments, their purpose, their nature, and the specific dimensions and materials from which they are to be made, were all related to Moses by G-d, at Mount Sinai. The construction of the vessels and the priestly garments was overseen by Betzalel, a master craftsman, chosen by G-d to fulfill this task, as it is said: "And the L-rd spoke unto Moses, saying: 'See, I have called by name Betzalel, the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; and I have filled him with the spirit of G-d, in wisdom and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, to devise skilfull works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, and in cutting of stones for setting, and in carving of wood, to work in all manner of workmanship.'"(Exodus 31:1-5) Assisted by Ohaliab the son of Ahisamach, Betzalel oversaw the construction of the tabernacle, and of the vessels used in the worship, and the garments worn by the priests, and the high priest. Betzalel assembled a team of craftsmen and artisans for this purpose.

The Temple Institute has likewise called upon Israel's finest craftsmen and artisans, and enlisted them in the historical task of recreating the sacred vessels and vestments. Every vessel produced by the Temple Institute is done in acccordance with the precise instructions that were first handed down by G-d to Moses. The vessels you are about to view are all fit and ready for use in the Holy Third Temple, may it be built speedily, and in our days!

COPPER LAVER

The copper laver and stand, which stands in the Temple courtyard between the sanctuary and the outer altar, is the first of the Temple vessels to greet the priests each morning. There the priests wash their hands and feet before proceeding to attend to the daily tamid offering.

MIZRAK

The priest collects the blood from the sacrifice into the Mizrak, and then spills the blood onto the corner of the altar.

LARGE MIZRAK

The large mizrak, as the smaller mizrak, is used to gather the blood of the sacrifice, and to spill it onto the corner of the altar. The large mizrak is used when sacrificing larger animals, (cows and bullocks).

THREE-PRONGED FORK

The three-pronged fork is mentioned in 1 Samuel 2:12. According to Rashi and Maimonides, the fork is used to turn over the offerings on the altar fire, or to lift up unconsumed portions of the offering so that the woodpile can be rearranged.

MEASURING CUP

Measuring cups are used for measuring flour, wine and oil, of which specific amounts are prescribed to be used as ingredients in various offerings.

COPPER VESSEL FOR MEAL OFFERING

The copper vessel is used for preparing the meal offering. Meal offerings are made using various amounts of flour, oil and spices.

SILVER SHOVEL

The silver shovel is kept on the southwestern corner of the altar. The shovel is used for the removal of ashes left on the altar, the first task performed by the priests each morning at the break of dawn.

SILVER VESSEL FOR WINE LIBATION

The silver decanter is used for the wine libation. Wine is poured on the altar twice daily, morning and evening, accompanying the daily service.

LOTTERY BOX

On Yom Kippur, the High Priest reaches into the lottery box and chooses lots. Thus is determined which goat will be used as an offering to G-d, and which will be sent off to Azazel, as an atonement for the sins of the people. During the First Temple, the lots were fashioned of wood. In the time of the Second Temple, they were of gold. The lots pictured above are fashioned of both wood and gold.

SILVER CUP FOR WATER LIBATION

The silver cup, with the golden flask, is used in the Festival of the Water Libation, which takes place during the Holiday of Succot. At dawn, the priests and levites, accompanied by the throngs of participants, wend their way down to the Spring of Shiloach. Water is drawn from the spring, and carried up the the Temple in the golden flask, where it is poured into the silver cup, as it rests atop the altar.

THE SILVER LIBATION VESSELS

One of the main aspects of the holiday of Sukkot (Tabernacles) is the Biblical commandment, "And you shall be glad on your holiday, and you shall be only joyful" (Deut. 16:14). Indeed, the pilgrims who arrived in Jerusalem at the Temple's courtyard came to rejoice. The focus of this rejoicing was the ceremony surrounding the commandment to pour water on the altar - the water libation. To learn more, click here.

These vessels were designed and created by the famed HaTzorfim company, Israel's most prestigious craftsmen of fine Judaica. The owners of this company felt a deep stirring to begin creating vessels for the new Temple, and they are now working on a number of projects together with the Temple Institute.

SICKLE

On the 16th day of Nissan, in a public gathering on the outskirts of Jerusalem, the first of the barley crop is harvested using sickles. This barley is then brought to the Holy Temple to be used in the Omer offering.

OMER OFFERING IMPLEMENTS

Once the barley is brought to the Temple Courtyard, priests beat, roast, grind, and sift the grain. A handful of the resulting flour is burned on the altar. The remainder is eaten by the priests.

ABUV

The Abuv is a three-tiered stand. The top level holds a perforated copper pan, and below it is a receptacle for hot coals. It is used for roasting the newly harvested barley of the Omer offering, performed on Passover.

MENORAH CLEANSING VESSEL

The daily service of the Temple includes the cleaning of the seven oil cups of the Menorah, using the vessel pictured above, (in Hebrew, Hatavah). The vessel includes tongs and a brush.

OIL PITCHER

The oil pitcher is used to replenish the oil for the menorah. The design pictured above is based on an ancient coin from the Second temple period. This pitcher contains 3.5 lug, (2 liters) of oil.

SMALL GOLDEN FLASK

The small golden flask is used to pour olive oil into the menorah. The priest pours oil into this flask from the larger pitcher, which contains enough oil necessary for all seven lamps. This smaller flask is then used to replenish the oil of each individual lamp.

FRANKINCENSE CENSER

Once a week, on the Sabbath, the twelve loaves of the showbread are removed by the priests, and replaced with new loaves. At the same time, the two portions of frankincense are also replaced. The two portions of frankincense are carried inside the gold Frankincense Censer. Still inside the censer, they are placed on the table of the showbread.

INCENSE CHALICE

The incense chalice, which holds "half a portion" (approx. 200 grams), of the incense offering ingredients. The chalice is carried into the Sanctuary of the Temple, where the golden incense altar stands. Upon entering the Sanctuary the priest sounds the small ring-shaped bell seen on the top of the chalice cover.

INCENSE SHOVEL

This shovel is used to remove burning coals from the outer altar. The priest then carries the coals on this shovel into the sanctuary, where the coals are used on the golden incense altar.

THE NENORAH

The menorah, made from a single piece of solid gold, stands in the southern side of the Sanctuary. Each morning a priest prepares and rekindles the wicks. The central wick, known as "the western candle" is required to burn perpetually. The oil and wicks of this candle are changed in such a fashion as to insure that it will never be extinguished.

THE TABLE OF THE SHOWBREAD

In the northern side of the Sanctuary stands the table of the showbread. The table is made of wood, overlaid with gold. Upon it are placed the twelve loaves of showbread. Each Sabbath, the loaves are simultaneously removed and replaced by fresh loaves, so as to insure that these loaves remain "perpetually" on the table. Miraculously, the week old loaves being replaced also retain their heat and freshness. These loaves are distributed among the priests.

THE INCENSE ALTAR

Centrally located in the Sanctuary, between the menorah to the south, and the table of the showbread to the north, stands the incense altar, directly in front of the Holy of Holies, to the west. The incense altar, made of wood covered with gold, is employed in what is considered to be the most beloved aspect of the Temple service in G-d's eye: the incense offering. In order to allow for every priest to perform this most prized of offerings, a daily lot is drawn. Only those priests who have never offered incense upon the altar are allowed to participate.

THE ARK OF THE COVENANT

The ark of the covenant is the only object that is placed within the Holy of Holies. Once a year, on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, the high priest enters the Holy of Holies, asking G-d to forgive the transgressions of the entire house of Israel. Made of wood covered with gold, it contained within it, during the period of the First Temple, the Two Tablets of the Law brought down from Mount Sinai by Moses, as well as a vessel containing mannah, and the staff of Aharon. Fearing its capture by the invading Babylonians, King Josiah had it removed from the Holy of Holies, and hidden in a chamber deep beneath the Temple Mount. A tradition of its exact location is maintained to this day. The above picture depicts a mock-up made by the Temple Institute for purposes of research and instruction.

THE CROWN

One of the four "golden garments" of the high priest is the crown, fashioned from one single piece of pure gold. The crown is worn across the forehead, extending from ear to ear, (as pictured in the inset above). It is held in place by a string dyed in the same blue color as used in all the high priest's garments. The crown bears the inscription: "Holy to G-d," and is worn by the high priest at all times, while he is officiating in the Temple.

GARMENTS OF THE HIGH PRIEST

We are pleased to announce that the weaving of the sacred Ephod garment for the uniform of the High Priest has been completed. The Temple Institute has also completed the complicated task of joining the ephod to the remembrance stones, and affixing the breastplate.

This complex project has been based on extensive research by the Institute. With G-d's help this task has been completed and the results have been made public.

SILVER TRUMPETS

In the Holy Temple, silver trumpets are used during the Divine service, as well as for announcing the arrival of the Shabbat, the New Moon, the three Festivals, and for other various occasions.

GOLD-PLATED SHOFAR

The gold-plated shofar, (ram's horn), is blown in the Holy Temple on Rosh Hashana.

SILVER-PLATED SHOFAR

The silver-plated shofar, (ram's horn), is blown in the Holy Temple on fast days.

HARP

The harp, or nevel, is a prominent instrument used by the Levites in their orchestral accompaniment to the Divine service.

LYRE

The lyre, or kinnor, like the harp, is frequently mentioned in the book of Psalms, as being a feature of the Levitical orchestra which performs in the Inner Courtyard of the Holy Temple.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.