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Beit HaMikdash

בקצרה

What every person should know about the Jewish Temple

Nine sentences, about five minutes. Each one opens into the rest of the site.
Reconstruction: the Temple at dawn seen from the Mount of Olives, mist in the Kidron valley, the walled platform with the Court of Women and its open corner chambers, the broad low altar with its ramp, and the Sanctuary's square limestone front with a doorless opening under stacked lintels.

  1. 1 of 9

    It was a sanctuary the Torah commands.

    The Beit HaMikdash, the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, answers the Torah's instruction to make God a sanctuary.

  2. 2 of 9

    There were two.

    Solomon's Temple, burned by Babylon, and the Second Temple, rebuilt after the exile and destroyed by Rome in 70 CE.

  3. 3 of 9

    It was a place of service, not only sacrifice.

    Daily offerings, yes, but also incense and light, Levitical song, the priestly blessing, pilgrimage, prayer and teaching.

  4. 4 of 9

    Holiness was graded.

    From the Temple Mount inward, each court was holier than the last, up to the Holy of Holies, entered once a year.

  5. 5 of 9

    It was never thought to contain God.

    Its builder said heaven itself cannot. It was where God chose to be sought.

  6. 6 of 9

    Jews have prayed for it every day since.

    Facing Jerusalem, three times a day, and after meals, at weddings and on fast days.

  7. 7 of 9

    The prophets describe a future House.

    Ezekiel measures one; Isaiah calls it a house of prayer for all peoples.

  8. 8 of 9

    No one knows exactly what it will look like, or when.

    Rambam says Ezekiel's description is not clear or complete, and that the order of future events is unknown.

  9. 9 of 9

    This site explains; it does not advocate.

    It teaches Jewish texts, memory and hope. It calls for no action at today's Temple Mount.