The Temple Institute

The Temple Institute, known in Hebrew as Machon HaMikdash ( _he. מכון המקדש), is an organization in Israel focusing on the controversial endeavor of re-establishing the Third Temple. Its long-term aim is to build the third Jewish temple on the Temple Mount, on the site currently occupied by the Dome of the Rock, and to reinstate sacrificial worship. It aspires to reach this goal through the study of Temple construction and ritual, and through the development of actual Temple ritual objects, garments, and building plans suitable for immediate use in the event conditions permit its reconstruction. [ [http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1128955356833&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FPrinter "A House of Prayer for All Nations"] Jerusalem Post, October 11, 2005] It was founded and is headed by Rabbi Yisrael Ariel. [ [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=950DE1D6133FF93AA35757C0A96F948260 Rebuild Herod's Temple? A Few Israelis Hope] New York Times, April 9, 1989.] Its Director General is Yehuda Glick, and the International Department is headed by Chaim Richman.

Activities

Building of Temple ritual items

As part of its ongoing effort to prepare for a future rebuilt Temple, the Temple Institute has been preparing ritual objects suitable for Temple use. Many of the over ninety ritual items to be used in the Temple have been made by the Temple Institute.

As of June 2008, a major current project of the Institute is the creation of the sacred uniform of the Kohen Gadol, the High Priest, and the ordinary priests. This project, the culmination of years of study and research, has been underway for several years. The High Priest's "Choshen" (Breastplate) and "Ephod" have already been completed. The "Ttzitz", the golden crown of the High Priest, was completed in 2007. [http://universaltorah.com/programming/2007/11/29/the-golden-crown-of-the-high-priest.htm] The Temple Institute is designing the garments for the lay-priests intended for purchase by Kohanim who can verify their lineage.

Education programs

The Institute's educational efforts include raising public awareness about the Holy Temple, and the central role that it occupies in the spiritual life of mankind. These efforts include a full time research staff (kollel), seminars, publications, and conferences, as well as the production of educational materials. Online educational tools include the Institute's website [http://www.templeinstitute.org/] , educational videos and video conferencing.

Red Heifer

In addition to a variety of items required for service within the Temple, the Institute has attempted to locate a "parah adumah" (Red heifer) consistent with the requirements of Numbers 19:1-22 and Mishnah Tractate Parah for purposes of "taharah" (purification) necessary to enter the Temple sanctuary proper in most circumstances. [http://www.templeinstitute.org/red_heifer/red_heifer_contents.htm Temple Institute: Red Heifer] In recent years, the Institute identified two candidates, one in 1997 and another in 2002. [http://www.templeinstitute.org/archive/red_heifer_born.htm Red Heifer born in Israel] Temple Institute, 8 April 2002] The Temple Institute had initially declared both kosher, but later found each to be unsuitable.

Controversies

Rebuilding a Jewish temple on the Temple Mount

Although Orthodox Judaism generally agrees that the Temple in Jerusalem will and should be rebuilt, there is a substantial disagreement about whether this should occur by human or divine hands. The Temple Institute interprets the opinion of the Rambam (Maimonides) as saying that Jews should attempt to build the Temple themselves, and have a mitzvah (obligation) to do so if they can. The Rambam's opinion, however, is a controversial one and has aroused substantial opposition.

The Temple Institute's view of the Rambam's opinion is not universally accepted by Maimonides scholars. According to seventeenth century Rabbi Yom Tov Lipman Heller in his commentary on the tractate Yoma, the Rambam did not say that any Jew can build the future Temple, only the Messiah. [http://jewsagainstzionism.com/parsha/docs/terumah2.pdf] According to Maimonides, any Jew who starts rebuilding the Temple is a potential Messiah.

Ascending the Temple Mount

The rabbis associated with the Temple Institute hold (also following the Rambam) that it is, under certain conditions, permissible under Jewish law for Jews to visit parts of the Temple Mount, and periodically organize groups to ascend and tour the Mount. The view that Jews may ascend the Temple is highly controversial among Orthodox rabbis, with many authorities completely prohibiting visiting the Mount to prevent accidental entrance into and desecration of the Holy of Holies or other sacred, off-limits areas.

The Temple Institute conducts aliyot, (lit: going up; making a pilgrimage), to the Temple Mount. The Institute claims that these aliyot are conducted in accordance with halachic requirements. They take place during weekday mornings, as these are the only hours that Jews are presently allowed to frequent the Mount.

ee also

* The Third Temple
* Modern attempts to revive the Sanhedrin
* Temple Mount

References and footnotes

External links

* [http://www.templeinstitute.org/ Temple Institute official website]