From: heb_roots_chr@mail.geocities.com
Sent: Wednesday, June 04, 1997 2:57 AM
To: Hebraic Heritage Newsgroup
Subject: Mikdash Build vol 1 no 27
From Barbara DiGilio
mayim@doitnow.com
To: heb_roots_chr@geocities.com
Shalom to all,
Found this one interesting. It was sent to me a week ago, just now read
it and felt you maybe interested!
Shalom,
Barbara
----------
>From Yirmiyahu Fischer <yirmi@jer1.co.il>
To: Mikdash Build <mikdash-build@jer1.co.il>
Subject: Mikdash Build vol 1 no 27
Date: Tuesday, May 27, 1997 10:03 PM
MIKDASH-BUILD
21 Iyar 5757
Today is day 36, which is 5 weeks and 1 day, of the Omer
Volume I, Number 27
Table of Contents
1. MAAMAR OF THE WEEK
2. NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
3. REFLECTIONS ON THE SEUDAT HAMIKDASH by Catriel Sugerman
-----------------------------------
MAAMAR OF THE WEEK
All the prayers of Israel are only for the Beit HaMikdash. Master, may
the Beit HaMikdash be rebuilt. Master, when will the Beit HaMikdash be
rebuilt?
(Bereishit Rabba 13:2)
-----------------------------------
NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
Shalom, fellow builders of the Beit HaMikdash.
I appreciate all the encouraging mail that I have received over the last
couple weeks and those who have sent their mailing addresses and
telephone number so that the leaders of the Tenu'ah can keep in touch
with you. I also would appreciate it if those of you who have not yet
done so could send me your information, as well as any comments.
I hope you enjoyed the previous editions , and I hope to put out more
quality material, including some that is available nowhere else. We
have loads of material, but we need your help to get it out. If someone
could help with translation or other areas, or could sponsor a
professional translation, it would be appreciated.
Last but not least, Shavuot is coming. This is one of the three
Piligrimage Festivals, on which all Jewish men who owned land in Israel
would go up to the Beit HaMikdash. Today, we do not have a Beit
HaMikdash and are thus unable to enter it, bring our offerings, and
experience "Joy in front of Hashem". However, it is possible to ascend
Har HaBayit (The Temple Mount) and remember what the holiday is meant to
be. If anyone would like to go up with me on Shavuot morning, please
email me.
Chazak ve-ematz,
yirmi
-----------------------------------
REFLECTIONS ON THE SEUDAT HAMIKDASH
by Catriel Sugerman
We had been working in our Jerusalem studio rebuilding the Beit
HaMikdash -- the Holy Temple -- for well over a year -- in miniature
anyway. But before we started, we had to do some serious learning --
the mishnayot of Midot, Tamid, Yoma, parts of Suka, Shekalim, and many
others and we continued with the appropriate gemmarot that dealt with
the subject matter. There were the classic commentaries: Rashi,
Rambam, the Bartenura, the Tosafot Yomtov, the Teferet Yisrael, and the
Hanukat HaBayit. There were the writings of Josephus and all sorts of
articles in archeology and Biblical studies journals. Once we felt that
we had at least a nodding acquaintance with the mekorot -- the sources -
- we could finally begin actually cutting the wood. As month followed
month we gradually saw the Beit HaMikdash slowly take shape in all its
detail and in all its awesome beauty. People would come by our shop to
note our progress and with us well in our ambitious undertaking. There
were innumerable lively discussions as to why we adhered to one "shita"
-- opinion -- and not another. Slowly the rumor began circulation in
Jerusalem that our model was indeed worth studying. Slowly, though we
did not realize it, we were becoming part of the "Temple community."
Then the invitation arrived from the "Tenu'ah LeChinun HaMikdash" -- The
Movement for the Establishment of the Temple to attend their yearly
dinner -- the Seudat HaMikdash -- the "Temple Banquet" which was to take
place on February 17. I had heard of this organization. I knew they
were roundly condemned by virtually all rabbinical groups. (The
accepted rabbinical opinion is that "bizman hazeh" today we are all
considered to be in a state of ritual impurity and therefore are unfit
to tread on holy ground.) that they held learned lectures on Temple
topics, and distributed a small publication called "Yibane HaMikdash"
(Let the Temple be Built). After some hesitation I decided to go and I
was very glad I did. The truth be told I expected maybe a couple
hundred invitees, made up of a strange collection of rabbanim and
weirdoes but was I ever wide off the mark! There were 1200 attendees
including some of the classiest dressed ladies this side of Park Avenue.
There were Hassidim with long peot, there were bushy bearded mitnachalim
who looked like they had just come from the outback in the remotest
Shomron. There were "kippot serugot" from Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa,
Beersheva, and the kibbutzim. There were delegations from Yehuda,
Shomron, Aza, the Golan -- in short from all over Eretz Yisrael and few
even from abroad. And certainly not to be expected in such a gathering
-- even a healthy sprinkling of uncovered heads. The Temple Banquet was
held in an elegant hall and the food was delicious.
The program began with greetings from Rav Nachman Kahane of the Chazon
Yechzkiel Yeshiva located in the Moslem Quarter. He emphasized that we
can not always wait for leaders to act. When the Jewish People simply
waited passively by the Red Sea for Divine deliverance, it was not
forthcoming. Where were Moses and Aaron? It took the active courage of
Nachshon ben Aminadav to cause the Red Sea to part. Rav Yosef Elboim,
founder and the driving force in the Tenu'ah LeChinun HaMikdash,
announced that every Tuesday afternoon he leads a group up to Har
HaBayit -- the Temple Mount. His party only enters those areas that are
outside the site the Temple stood, and he advises people go up with the
group the first time to avoid entering prohibited areas. He also
instructs people to immerse in the mikvah beforehand and to wear cloth
shoes. Originally the late Rabbi Goren, the former chief Rabbi of
Israel, was virtualy alone in encouraging Jews to ascend to the Har
HaBayit, but over the years more and more rabbis have slowly come around
to his way of thinking. Rav Elboim also announced to thundering
applause that the Rabbinical Council of Yesha published a letter, while
not exactly permitting Jews to go up to Har HaBayit did say that "those
rabbis who believe that going up to Har HaBayit is permitted should do
so themselves and explain to their followers how to do so in a halachic
manner" truly a revolutionary document! Knesset member Beni Alon stated
that we should be firm in claiming our rights from the Yishmaelim
(Arabs) both on Har HaBayit, Har HaHoma, and elsewhere in Jerusalem.
HaRav Ariel from the Temple Institute declared that a full sized
mizbeach -- and altar -- has been built by the Dead Sea, so Kohanim
could get a feel of the real proportions. (It is not generally
realized how enormous the Temple altar really was -- the height of a two
story building!) He also declared that in Kfar Hassidim a "parah aduma"
-- a red cow -- whose ashes are essential for the Temple rites of
purification had been born. Truly a sign from Heaven. Rav Lior of
Kiryat Arba said that everyone in his own circle should spread "Temple
consciousness", among his family, friends, associates, etc. Meanwhile
with difficulty do we maintain our hold even on the Kotel. It is a
humiliation for the Jewish People that the Waqaf, the Moslem religious
authorities, who currently control the area, permit every nationality to
pray on the Temple Mount except for us. Professor Eli Pollack of the
Weitzman Institute of Science sent greetings in the name of the
Professors for a Strong Israel.
The program also featured a most extraordinary auction -- the Temple
Vessels with Adir Zik (of Arutz Sheva fame) as the auctioneer! Sample
prices... Two silver trumpets sold for $520 and a golden (actually gold
plate) bowl used for watering animals before sacrificing them went for
$950. But there was a major difference between this auction and others.
The "sales" were made under one condition -- when the Temple is rebuilt,
speedily in our day, these vessels are to be returned and then
consecrated for their proper use. There was an extensive collection of
tapes and videos for sale. One prospectus read (in Hebrew) "Help us
spread the feeling of yearning for the Mikdash in the younger
generation" featured tapes for children such as "a child joins his
father and neighbors as they bring the first fruits to Jerusalem."
Another described a Jewish child (with his father) and a Chinese child
(!) who accompany them as they express thanksgiving to G-d by bringing a
sacrifice to the Temple. I picked up a pamphlet entitled "It is a
Mitzvah to Endeavor to Bring 'Korbanot Bizman HaZeh'" -- sacrifices even
today when there is (as of yet) no Temple. And there were many many
others on all imaginable "Temple topics".
The program was constantly interrupted with enthusiastic singing
especially of "Temple Songs" and later dancing. The atmosphere was not
one of sadness and mourning for past glories, but rather it was one of
tzepiah, of anticipation for the Final Redemption which is almost upon
us and the glorious rebuilt Beit HaMikdash which will be its symbol. It
was an uplifting evening, an exhilarating evening, it was a wonderful
evening. So how does one end an article like this one? I can only
think of the inspiring words of the Hagaddah which we repeat every year
at the Seder ...
"Let us live unto other Festive Seasons and Holidays, which shall come
to meet us in peace, happy in the rebuilding of Thy city and joyous in
Thy worship. May we eat there of the Passover Feasts and Sacrifices
whose blood shall reach the wall of Thine altar for acceptance. And may
we thank Thee with a new song for our redemption ..."
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Yirmiyahu Fischer Virtual Jerusalem, Home of Jerusalem One
Mikdash-Build List Owner ----------------------------------
yirmi@virtual.co.il "Internet with a 3,000 year tradition"
...............................................................
Published by HaTenu'ah LeChinun HaMikdash
Returning the Jewish People to the Holy Temple
To support our Holy Work, contributions may be sent to:
P.O. Box 31336
Jerusalem, Israel
You can contact us by telephone at: 011-972-2-537-1904
...............................................................
Mikdash-Build is based an a Hebrew monthly publication,
"YIBANE-HAMIKDASH"
which is available at the following rates:
(shipping included) In Israel Abroad
Annual Subscription (12 issues) NIS 70 $ 50
Back Issues NIS 7 $ 5
All 107 available back issues NIS 670 $ 450
Additional Publication:
Torat HaBayit (3 volumes) NIS 50 $ 35
To obtain these publications, please send your name, address,
telephone number, and request, along with a check for the
appropriate amount to HaTenu'ah LeChinun HaMikdash at the above
address.
...............................................................
Please join us this and every Tuesday
1:30 PM Jerusalem Daylight Time
at the Mugrabi Gate (near the Kotel) as we
ASCEND THE TEMPLE MOUNT
(under Rav Elbaum's guidance)
Please bring Yom Kippur (non-leather) shoes and your
te'udat zehut or passport and go the the mikvah beforehand
...............................................................
To subscribe (free) to Mikdash-Build, send email:
TO: listproc@virtual.co.il
(This address must be typed; REPLY button sends to separate address)
In body of email type:
subscribe MIKDASH-BUILD <your fullname>
To unsubscribe, type:
unsubscribe MIKDASH-BUILD
...............................................................
==== Visit our Web Sites at: ====
==== ====
==== http://www.virtual.co.il/city_services/lists/mikdash-build/ ====
==== (subsciption form, hosted by Virtual Jerusalem) ====
==== ====
==== http://www.havienu.org/beism/mkdsh.html ====
==== (archives, hosted by Havienu LeShalom) ====
-------------------------------------------------------------------