LIVING WITH MOSHIACH
Weekly Digest About Moshiach
Laws of the Bais HaMikdosh
(The Holy Temple)
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Dedicated to educating the public regarding the
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and teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
NOTE:
The Table of Contents contains links to the text. Click on an entry
in the Table of Contents and you will move to the information selected.
"I BELIEVE WITH COMPLETE FAITH IN THE ARRIVAL OF THE MOSHIACH.
"AND THOUGH HE MAY TARRY, I SHALL WAIT EACH DAY, ANTICIPATING HIS
ARRIVAL."
Maimonides, Principles of the Faith, No. 12
THIS PUBLICATION IS DEDICATED
TO THE REBBE,
RABBI MENACHEM M. SCHNEERSON
OF LUBAVITCH
Click here, to see pictures of the Rebbe
The Daily Sicha (in Real Audio)
- Listen to selected excerpts of the Rebbe's Sichos
[talks] which are relevant to the particular day.
We are pleased to present, to the visually impaired and the blind, the 384th
issue of our weekly publication, Living With Moshiach.
*
In this week's issue we focus on the "Laws of the Bais HaMikdosh (The
Holy Temple)."(1)
*
This week's issue of Living With Moshiach is dedicated in honor of
the first yahrtzeit of our dear friend and copy editor, Reb Mordechai
ben Reb Shaul Staiman, who passed away, on Tuesday, 22 Tamuz, 5763 (July
22, 2003).
Reb Mordechai Staiman was a very kind person, who gave tirelessly from his
time and effort for the success of our organization "Torah Publications
For The Blind," and this publication "Living With Moshiach" in
particular.
Reb Mordechai Staiman has been a prolific writer, editor, publicist, and
copywriter for over thirty six years. His articles have appeared in many
publications including, The Jewish Press, Wellsprings, The
Algemeiner Journal, N'Shei Chabad, Beis Moshiach,
Chabad, Country Yossi Family Magazine, and L'Chaim.
He also published 5 books.
He will be dearly missed by all very much.
May his memory be a blessing for us all.
* * *
A web-site has been established in the loving memory and also featuring the
works of Reb Mordechai Staiman. You can find it at:
https://torah4blind.org/staiman
*
Jewish teachings explain that when we learn the laws of the Holy Temple,
its structure, the services and sacrifices practiced there, it is as if we
are rebuilding it.
Therefore, the Rebbe stresses that during the
"Three
Weeks"(2) we should spend time studying what the Holy
Temple will be like, and to learn all about it.
*
"This study should be carried out in anxious anticipation of the Holy Temple
being rebuilt. We should study about the Holy Temple with the awareness that
in the very near future we will see what we are studying about in actual
reality."
The Rebbe, 24 Tamuz, 5751/1991
*
"G-d told the prophet Yechezkel that through studying the laws of the structure
of the Holy Temple it is considered as if we have been involved in its actual
construction.
"As we are so close to the Redemption, the subject must be approached as
a present reality; at any moment the Third Holy Temple which is already built
in the heavens will descend and be revealed on earth."
The Rebbe, 17 Tamuz, 5751/1991
*
The text of the book: "Seek Out The Welfare Of Jerusalem" [Analytical Studies
by the Rebbe, of Rambam's rulings concerning the construction and design
of the Holy Temple], published by Sichos in English -- is available on-line
at:
http://www.sichosinenglish.org/books/seek-out,
and is divided into a special study program.
Also, for a Audio/Visual Virtual Interactive Tour of the second Bais
Hamikdosh (Holy Temple), go to:
http://www.moshiach.com/temple
*
Our sincere appreciation to the publishers of the Tzivos Hashem
Newsletter, for allowing us to use their material.
Also, many thanks to our copy editor,
Reb Mordechai Staiman of blessed
memory, for his tireless efforts.
*
It is our fervent hope that our learning about Moshiach and the Redemption
will hasten the coming of Moshiach, NOW!
Rabbi Yosef Y. Shagalov,
Administrator,
Committee for the Blind
22 Tamuz, 5764
Los Angeles, California
_______________
1. Adapted from the "Tzivos Hashem Newsletter," edited by Dr. Dovid
S. Pape.
2. The "Three Weeks" begin on the 17th of Tamuz (Tuesday, July 6,
2004), and continue until the 9th of Av (Tuesday, July 27, 2004).
Ed.
In honor of
Rabbi & Mrs. Yosef Yitzchok and Gitel Rochel
Shagalov
On the occasion of our wedding,
Sunday, 13 Nissan, 5764
The Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson of Lubavitch, issued a call that
"The time of our Redemption has arrived!" and "Moshiach is on his
way!"
The Rebbe stressed that he is saying this as
a prophecy, and asks us all to prepare ourselves for the Redemption,
through increasing acts of goodness and kindness.
Let us all heed the Rebbe's call.
IN LOVING MEMORY OF OUR DEAR FRIEND AND COPY EDITOR
Reb Mordechai ben Reb Shaul
Staiman
Passed away on 22 Tamuz, 5763
In honor of his first yahrtzeit,
Sunday, 22 Tamuz, 5764 (July 11, 2004)
By Rabbi Alexander Zushe Kohn(3)
"Mordechai the Jew... sought the good of his people and spoke for the
welfare of all of his seed." I can think of no more succinct description
of Reb Mordechai Staiman o.b.m. than this verse from the Book of Esther.
Like the legendary Mordechai of Shushan, Mordechai Staiman sought to inspire
Jews with a love for their heritage and their people. That's why he wrote
Niggun, a book about the power of Jewish song, and that's why he wrote
Diamonds of the Rebbe, a book about famous Jewish personalities whom
the Lubavitcher Rebbe inspired to greater spiritual achievement. Waiting
for the Messiah tells the story of our people's yearning for the Redemption,
and Secrets of the Rebbe describes how Chabad's Mesirus Nefesh
activities on behalf of Russian Jewry led to the fall of the Soviet Empire.
Mordechai's last masterpiece is called His Name is Aaron, and its
amazing stories will warm even the iciest of hearts with the fire of Chassidism.
Mordechai saw himself as an emissary of the Lubavitcher Rebbe in every sense
of the word. Instead of using his unique writing skills to create a New
York Times bestseller -- which he could have a done on a Monday afternoon
-- he devoted himself to bringing the joy of Judaism and Chassidism to as
many Jews as possible. In addition to his Jewish bestsellers, Mordechai sent
numerous articles to many Jewish publications, copyedited all editions of
the weekly Living with Moshiach digest (for the blind and visually
impaired) for free, edited Chassidic Stories Made In Heaven,
prepared a rough draft of a Moshiach encyclopedia, and, for a number
of years, proofread L'Chaim weekly.
Mordechai once related how on the night of Yud-Tes Kislev, 5753, when
the Rebbe appeared on the balcony for six consecutive hours, he and his friend,
Rabbi Yosef Y. Shagalov were laboring to prepare the first "blind" Chanukah
issue for the printer the next morning. The temptation to go and bask in
the Rebbe's light was very powerful. But they didn't go, because Mordechai
maintained the Rebbe would tell them to sacrifice their noble aspirations
for the sake of another Jew -- all the more so for the sake of many Jews,
some of whom would be learning about Chanukah, and about Chassidism, and
about Moshiach for the first time in their lives.
"Even the Gentiles liked him," notes a close friend of the Staimans. "He
would say nice things to people whom you and I would be afraid to talk to,
and this generated an atmosphere of peace between the Jews on the block and
their gentile neighbors."
Mordechai was forever trying to make people smile. When I first met him,
a decade ago, he cracked some good humored jokes with me, and for the next
ten years he didn't stop. This was especially amazing considering that Mordechai
suffered his own fare share of pain, and could easily justify being miserable.
I remember visiting him at home after his heart surgery. The minute I
saw him, I could tell that he was in a lot of pain. He whispered that
he can't really talk because he's very weak. Then he said, "One minute,
I'll be right back." He went into a back room and emerged with pad and
paper in hand. He then proceeded to interview me -- not without managing
a few good-hearted wisecracks in-between questions -- about a subject he
was planning to write about in one of his upcoming books.
So, the next time you think of Reb Mordechai Staiman, go ahead and make a
Jew smile; tell a Jew a Chassidic story; sing a Jew a Niggun. And
if you don't know how, let Mordechai himself do it for you. For though Mordechai
will be sorely missed, "he has left us the writings," (to paraphrase
the fifth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Sholom DovBer, at the time of his passing),
which will continue to inspire Jews all over, until the last page of history
has been written.
*
A web site has been established in the loving memory and also featuring the
works of Reb Mordechai Staiman, o.b.m. You can find it at:
https://torah4blind.org/staiman
_______________
3. Rabbi Alexander Zushe Kohn is the founder of the Chassidic Writing
Center. He can be reached at
akohn@thejnet.com, or at 718-771-7290.
THE MITZVAH TO
BUILD
When the Jews received the Torah at Mt. Sinai, they were commanded to build
a Holy Sanctuary for G-d, called in Hebrew, a Mikdosh.
The purpose of the Temple is to provide G-d with a place to dwell in this
world, a House to which offerings may be brought.
Men and women must help to build the Temple. It is a mitzvah to build
it as beautifully as possible. If money is available, one should even cover
the whole structure with gold! However, children may not be taken away from
learning Torah, even for the sake of building the Temple. We do not build
the Temple on Shabbat or on Yom Tov.
A person is meant to go to the Temple three times a year, to celebrate the
Festivals of Pesach, Shavuot, and Succot.
A BIT OF
HISTORY
The first Sanctuary was built by Moshe and the Jews. It was movable, and
could be transported with the Jewish people from place to place in the
Wilderness.
After nearly 400 years, King David, the ancestor of Moshiach, designed a
permanent Temple for G-d in Jerusalem. It was built by his son, King Solomon.
This was the first Holy Temple. It stood 410 years!
The first Temple was destroyed by the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar, who
cast the Jews into exile.
After 70 years, the Jews were at last able to return to Israel, under the
leadership of Ezra the Scribe. He supervised the construction of the Second
Temple. This occurred right after the story of Purim took place.
The Second Temple was larger than the First, and stood for 420 years! It
was destroyed by the Roman armies led by Titus.
The Third Temple will be rebuilt on the same spot that the first two Temples
stood, when Moshiach comes, may it be very soon!
THE STRUCTURE
In building the Temple, large, expensive stones were used. Some were used
in their natural form; others were shaped with tools, such as the huge stones
still standing in the Western Wall.
On the Temple Mount itself, however, no iron tools could be used. Even to
hear the sound of an iron tool was forbidden, because iron (as used for weapons)
shortens the life of man, and the Temple is meant to prolong it.
THE TEMPLE
MOUNT
The entire Temple area was built on a mountain slope, not on flat ground.
When a person entered the Temple, he would have to climb up Mt. Moriah, mounting
the steps from level to level as he went.
It is no accident that the Temple is built on a mountain. On a mountainside
it is very hard to stand still. You always have to keep climbing. When it
comes to learning Torah and doing mitzvot, it is the same. We must
also keep climbing--by learning and doing more.
The Temple Mount is called Mount Moriah. The word moriah is from the
word yirah, meaning "fear" and "awe." When the Temple was standing,
the world was filled with fear and awe of G-d. The word moriah is
also from the root ho-r'ah, which means "teaching." This is because
the highest court in all Israel, the Sanhedrin, used to sit in the
Temple, so that teaching and instruction would go out from there to all the
Jewish people.
THE
SANHEDRIN, THE SUPREME COURT
The Supreme Court of seventy-one Sages (the Sanhedrin) had its chambers
in the Temple. Here they would judge the people, and teach them to go higher
and higher in Torah and mitzvot.
The room in which the Sanhedrin would meet was called the Chamber
of Hewed Stone. It was called by this name because the chairs for the judges
were carved out of solid stone.
The wisest and most righteous judges in Israel used to meet there, right
by the Temple, so that when they were deciding the most difficult problems
of the Jewish nation they would always think of G-d, and explain His Torah
correctly.
When Moshiach comes, and the Temple will be rebuilt, the great
Sanhedrin will once again meet in the Chamber of Hewed Stones in the
Temple. At that time, peace will reign, and the city of Jerusalem will expand
to include all of the Land of Israel!
TO HOLD THE TEMPLE
IN AWE
We are commanded to hold the Temple in awe, and to revere it. Of course,
it is not just the building that we revere, but the One who commanded us
to build it.
How do we revere the Temple? We are not to enter the Temple Mount holding
a staff, or with sandals on our feet, or dressed in informal clothes, or
with dust on our feet, or money in our hands. Needless to say, we should
not spit.
A person should not take a shortcut through the Temple Mount, entering on
one side and going out the other, just to make the way shorter. Rather one
should walk around the outside, and enter only for the sake of a
mitzvah.
When leaving the Temple, a person should not turn around and walk away. He
should go backwards slowly, and then turn to his side until he is out of
the courtyard.
A person should not act frivolously or joke around opposite the eastern gate
of the Temple, for it is directly opposite the Holy of Holies.
Even though the Temple is now in ruins because of our sins, a person must
hold it in awe and behave in a dignified manner at all times, just as when
it was standing.
THE
MITZVAH TO GUARD THE TEMPLE
It is a mitzvah to station guards around the Temple, just as a king
would have guards around his palace. Not that we have to protect G-d, for
He is mightier than any army, rather we station guards to show Him honor.
Every night, 24 guards would take up their positions around the Temple. The
kohanim (Temple priests) stood guard inside, and 21 Levites stood
guard on the outside.
In the time of Moshiach, when the Temple will be rebuilt, even non-Jewish
nations will send their armies to protect the Holy Temple, so that the Jews
can perform their service there, in peace, to the benefit of the whole world.
THE VESSELS
The following vessels must be in the outer courtyard:
1. The Great
Altar
The Great Altar was made of stone. It was for burnt offerings, such as animals,
birds, flour baked into matzos, and libations (pourings) of wine.
On top of the Great Altar three fires were kept burning: one was for the
daily offerings, one to provide coals for burning the incense on the Golden
Altar, and one just to fulfill the commandment of always having a fire burning
on the Altar of G-d.
The kohanim (Temple priests) were not allowed to go up on the Altar
by means of steps, nor was it permissible to build steps for the Altar. Only
a ramp was allowed.
The Great Altar of the Temple was in a very precise place, which may never
be changed. This place is so holy that even non-Jews recognize its holiness
and have never worshipped idols on the spot.
The Great Altar was built on very holy ground. It is the same place where
our forefather Abraham prepared to sacrifice his son Isaac (Yitzchok). Noah
had made offerings to G-d there after the flood. Even Adam had made his offering
to G-d there. In fact from that very spot G-d had taken the earth with which
He created man! The Altar of our Third Temple will also be built exactly
in this same place.
Large amounts of wood were used for the fire on the Great Altar.
Kohanim who could not serve in the Temple, either because of age or
some other reason, would check all the wood for worms before it went to the
outer Altar. They did this in a chamber called the Wood Room.
2. The Kiyor,
Wash-basin
The Kiyor (Wash-basin) was a large vessel full of water, used by the
kohanim to wash their hands and feet, before beginning their service
in the Temple.
The Kiyor, originally had only two taps, but later it was redesigned
by one of the High Priests called Ben Katin, to have twelve taps. This enabled
all the twelve priests who participated in the daily offering to wash their
hands and feet at once, before they began the Temple service.
* * *
In the inner Holy Chamber, there are three vessels:
1. The Small Golden
Altar
The small Altar was made of pure gold, and was for offerings of sweet smelling
incense.
2. The
Menorah
The menorah was made of pure gold. It had three feet, and seven straight
branches. On each branch there were three upside-down cups. Near the base
was another cup, bringing the total to 22 cups--exactly equal to the number
of letters in the aleph bais, the Hebrew alphabet.
There were also 9 flowers and 11 egg-shaped bulbs decorating the
menorah. The flowers were a symbol of the world's potential for growth
and development. The bulbs were a symbol of limitless spiritual pleasure.
The menorah was lit by the Kohen Gadol, the High Priest, every
day toward evening.
All the flames in the menorah faced the central lamp. This lamp was
called the nair ma'aravi--the western lamp--because it faced the Holy
of Holies. This lamp was the first one kindled every day toward evening,
and it would burn miraculously long after the others had burned out, until
it was time to rekindle the menorah the next day. This was a sign
to the entire world that G-d dwelt with the Jewish people.
3. The Shulchan,
The Table
Twelve specially baked "loaves" were placed on this golden table every Friday
before Shabbat. They stood in two rows. Between each tray was an
air-space; the "loaves" were called the lechem hapanim, because they
were shaped like a barge, facing in 2 directions at once.
THE KODESH
HAKODOSHIM
The holiest part of the Temple was in the west. It was called the Holy of
Holies.
In it stood the Ark, in which the Ten Commandments were kept. This box was
made of wood, with a layer of gold inside and a layer of gold outside. There
were really three boxes, one within the other.
The cover of the Ark was solid gold more than 6" thick.
On top of the Ark-cover were two golden figures, a boy and a girl. Like soldiers
they stood guard over the Torah. G-d spoke to Moshe through their wings.
When G-d was pleased with the Jewish people, these figures would face towards
each other with love.
Beside the Ark was the legendary staff of Moshe's brother, Aaron, the first
high priest, which once miraculously sprouted almond blossoms overnight,
and a flask containing manna, a memorial from the time of Moshe and
from the time the Jews were in the wilderness. This was to remind Jews how
G-d sustained our ancestors for forty years in the desert, and how surely,
He can sustain us now and at all times!
No one was ever allowed into this Holiest Chamber except the Kohen
Gadol, and he could only enter once a year, on Yom Kippur, to
pray for the welfare of the Jewish people.
To clean the Holy of Holies, men were lowered from above in baskets. The
baskets faced the wall, so that the men could do their job without looking
into the room itself.
When King Solomon built the Temple, he knew that it would ultimately be
destroyed. He built secret underground rooms in which to hide The Ark with
the Ten Commandments, as well as Aaron's staff, the small vessel with
manna, and the oil for anointing.
Before the First Temple was destroyed, King Yeshiyahu commanded that the
Ark be placed in these secret passageways. He also hid the staff of Aaron,
the bottle of manna, and the oil for anointing.
None of these things was found again, not even in the time of the Second
Temple, but they will all be returned in the time of Moshiach, when the Third
Temple will be rebuilt, speedily NOW.
The most important principle in the Torah is the protection of Jewish life.
It's more important than Shabbat, more important than holidays, even
fasting on Yom Kippur.
Right now, in Israel, and everywhere, Jews must stand together in unity and
do whatever possible to protect Jewish life.
The Rebbe teaches that there are ten important
Mitzvot we can do to protect life. See what you can do:
1) Ahavat Yisroel: Behave with love towards another Jew.
2) Learn Torah: Join a Torah class.
3) Make sure that Jewish children get a Torah true education.
4) Affix kosher Mezuzot on all doorways of the house.
5) For men and boys over 13: Put on Tefillin every weekday.
6) Give Charity.
7) Buy Jewish holy books and learn them.
8) Light Shabbat & Yom Tov candles. A Mitzvah
for women and girls.
9) Eat and drink only Kosher Food.
10) Observe the laws of Jewish Family Purity.
In addition, the Rebbe also urged every man, woman and child to Purchase
a Letter in a Sefer Torah. There are several Torah scrolls
being written to unite Jewish people and protect Jewish life.
Letters for children can be purchased for only $1. Send your Hebrew name
and your mother's Hebrew name plus $1 to:
"Children's Sefer Torah,"
P. O. Box 8,
Kfar Chabad, 72915, Israel
or via the Internet, at:
http://www.kidstorah.org
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