If the Vilna Gaon was right, the 3rd Temple is on its way
Projection: First day of construction on 3rd Temple will coincide with completion of Hurva Synagogue.
By Nir Hasson Tags: Israel newsIf the 18th-century rabbinic authority the Vilna Gaon was right, on March 16, 2010, construction will begin on the third Temple. His projection states that the auspicious day will coincide with the third completion of the Hurva Synagogue in Jerusalem's Jewish Quarter.
The great day is at hand: On March 15, the reconstructed Hurva Synagogue, considered the most important house of prayer in Jerusalem will be rededicated. It was last destroyed in the War of Independence.
However, during the reconstruction process, the Hurva has become a bone of contention between ultra-Orthodox and other Jerusalemites.
The conflict is over what kind of institution the Hurva will be. A group of secular and national-religious Jerusalemites say that if the state does not act quickly, the Hurva will become another ultra-Orthodox synagogue, where women and tourists are unwelcome.
"The government has invested millions in the restoration of the synagogue. It is a place of special value to tourists. The Jewish Quarter has dozens of synagogues and it doesn't need another one," said Tehila Nahlon, an activist.
The debate reflects wider issues of identity facing the Jewish Quarter, which has become increasingly ultra-Orthodox in recent years.
City councilwoman Rachel Azariya said, "The Hurva must not become just another synagogue, and the Jewish Quarter just another Haredi neighborhood."
The Hurva, whose name means "ruin," was initially built by disciples of Rabbi Judah Hahasid in the early 18th century. It was destroyed shortly thereafter by Muslims demanding the return of loans given to build the synagogue. After it was rebuilt in the mid-19th century, it became the most important synagogue in the country, but it was blown up in 1948 by the Jordan Legion a few days before the fall of the Jewish Quarter in the War of Independence.
In 2001, after years of debate, the government decided to restore the building.
The historic building, whose famous dome one more dominates the skyline of the Jewish Quarter, has now been meticulously recreated, including furnishings and wall frescoes.
However, secular and Zionist Orthodox Jerusalemites are concerned that two developments could lead to the synagogue becoming ultra-Orthodox.
The first was the appointment of a rabbi for the synagogue - which happened about three years ago, when it was still a concrete shell - Rehovot's chief rabbi Simcha Hacohen Kook, who is considered close to the ultra-Orthodox non-Hassidic leader Rabbi Yosef Elyashiv. He was chosen by a panel of rabbis, with the blessing of Sephardic Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar.
"A government company built the synagogue. There are procedures for how people are chosen. They made this choice to prevent the appointment of a Zionist Orthodox rabbi," said Anat Mufkadi, a member of the group concerned about the synagogue. Rabbi Elyashiv reportedly told Haredi journalist Shlomo Kook, the synagogue rabbi's nephew, that the expedited appointment was intended to "stop up gaps," comments understood to mean keeping a Zionist Orthodox rabbi from getting the post.
The CEO of the Jewish Quarter Development Company, which built the syangogue, Nissim Arazi, who said he was surprised by the rabbi's appointment, refused to attend his investiture ceremony three years ago. "It's not clear to me why a rabbi is necessary when there isn't even a synagogue and we don't know who the congregation will be," he told Haaretz a few days ago. However, Arazi said he believes Kook is a worthy candidate.
The second development is that Arazi is soon to be replaced, along with five out of the eight board members of the Jewish Quarter Development Company. By law, the new board members are to be chosen by Housing Minister Ariel Atias, a Shas member. The cabinet has also given the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, a government body headed by the Western Wall rabbi, Shmuel Rabinovich, a say in the choice of the new board members. Under Rabinovich's tenure, some have said the Western Wall area has become more ultra-Orthodox.
The activists say the reconstructed synagogue should present the historical saga of the Jewish Quarter, display archaeological finds unearthed there, and be fully accessible to tourists, men and women together. The group wants to prevent a round-the-clock kollel (yeshiva for married men) from opening there, which would preclude any other activity.
However, for the ultra-Orthodox, the matter is unequivocal: "The question is whether this will be a synagogue and a house of study, or a display of all sorts of foolishness," the Jewish Quarter's rabbi Avigdor Nebenzahl said on an ultra-Orthodox Web site.
The journalist, Kook, said: "My uncle is close to all communities, he is not a classic Haredi or a fanatic. He doesn't expect the site to become a Haredi synagogue with 50 prayers a day. He understands that it's a different synagogue. But it's important to him that it be more a synagogue than a museum."
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Man walking outside Jerusalem's Old City Wall on Friday. |
| Photo by: (AP) |
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I hope that Michael and the #8 writer are vegans, because if they are meat eaters, they might want to ask themselves what is the difference between the Temple priests and Levites eating the barbecued sacrificed meat and anyone else's eating of meat? The Cohanim/Levites were given no land, so the other Israelites were supposed to provide their food through the offerings. I see it as hypocrisy that meat eaters call the Temple offerings barbaric etc. The animals were slaughtered with concern that they would feel the least pain and suffering possible. Then they were barbecued. So what is the problem?
Would you also throw the Pope out of St Peters and the Archbishop of Canterbury out of Canterbury Cathedral ? Evry holy place has some sort of minister of religion responsible for looking after its religious function. The Kotel and Churva are both legally defined as synagogues and therefore they should have a Rabbi to oversee the running. Obviously they are also tourist sites and one has to integrate the two functions, which can be awkward. That's why the High Court set aside Robinson's Arch for non-Orthodox services at the Kotel. Certain hours the Churva should be open to tourists and certain hours set aside for prayers.
Jesus came from the royal House of David and was therefore not a descendant of Aaaron the Levite and first High Priest. Today most descendants of Aaron have names like Cohen, Kohn, Kahn, Kagan, Katz, Kahanaman. They still bless the Jewish congregations on the festivals using the words of Aaron, 'May the L-rd bless you and protect you ...' as set out in the Bible.
The Christians built a church on the Temple Mount and the Muslims later built a mosque and a Dome, later changed by the Crusaders into a church, and then back into a mosque. None of this was the Temple envisioned by the Prophets as the fulfillment of the Messianic vision of uiversal peace and the restored Kingdom of David and the Sanhedrin of 71 Sages.
The Third Temple will only be in Messianic times when disputes and hatred will end and the world will acknowledge the brotherhood of all people. Although you may find the sacrificial cult strange,when Jews shecht and roast lamb for supper you are doing pretty much the same as offering the Paschal Lamb. Modern shechita is the same as shechita in the Temple. Festival offerings were eaten as part of the celebration. It's certainly less irrational than another faith who believe they are eating the body and drinking the blood of a Palestinian Yid who lived two millennia ago !
The Vilna Gaon planned to move to Israel and later some of his disciples did get there and set up a Litvish community. I wouldn't underestimate the Gaon. He said the Hasidic Rebbes shouldn't have sons to take over from them and so many Hasidic Rebbes have been succeeded by brothers, nephews or sons-in-law. I'm looking forward to March 16th.
London's St Paul's and Westminster Abbey are national monuments and also active churches. During certain published times they are closed to the public and at other times they are open to tourists. Churva is a synagogue and must be used as such, but there should be set times when it is open to tourists as well. Obviously, Jewish tourists can also take part in prayers.
The 3rd temple will be built on the north side of the dome of the rock. This area is said to be the true area, and just happens to be a perfect space for the temple.
The whole concept of a chief Rabbi or a Rabbinate or a rabbi for what is a place for tourists and Jews from all over the World to experience is bogus and not necessary. It's just another way to get the taxpayer's money into the pockets of certain people.
This article should be under a different title. After the 1st paragraph the topic of the third temple is abandoned and the article only speaks about the reconstruction of the Hurva Synagogue
Some folk are a bit slow off the mark...
This is Biblical and it wil be built. The Antichrist will use it for a while but then...Kesus will take over and rule there for eternity...
And you wonder why wars are started. The fanatics on ALL sides are resposible for terrible things and they cannot be reasoned with. I just can't believe He wanted it this way, like we are subjects to play with. I'm just glad I have a life and loved ones to share this one, precious life with.
Is it a Synagogue or the Temple? I thought there was a difference but the words are being used interchangeably.
Would you provide more detail on why this synagogue would be considered the "third temple" other than perhaps the prediction of Vilna Gaon? Do its dimensions conform to those laid out in the Book of Leviticus or elsewhere in the Pentateuch? If so, are there not proscribed specifications for even those who participate in construction? Thank you for your time.
Flavius Josephus states very precisely that Herod did destroy completely (including its foundations) the second Temple which had been built by Zurubbabel and Yeshua on their return from exile in Babylonia, and which later had been embellished by the Hasmoneans. Jewish Antiquities : 15 : 11 : ?So (after having demolished the whole Edifice) Herod removed all the old foundations, and laid others, and erected the Temple upon them.? This total destruction of the second Temple is furthermore corroborated by Aggadic (legendary) accounts in the Talmud, as for example, Talmud of Babylon: Order Neziqin: Tractate Baba Bathra: 3b ?How could Baba ben Buta counsel Herod to demolish the Temple for the purpose of building a new one ? Was this not against the Law ??... And : (Baba ben Buta and Herod?s discussion about the demolition and rebuilding of the Temple :) Baba ben Buta replied then to Herod : ?Send a Messenger to Rome for which it shall take a year until he shall reach there, and let him remain there a year, and his returning shall also take a year : and during these three years you can demolish this Temple and build a new one.? ? Therefore, Herod?s Temple was the third Temple of Jerusalem, and the next one will be the fourth Temple of Jerusalem.
Please tell what is the 3rd temple already in place. Thank you.
Do not hold something before the Lord, you misunderstand as His error. A curve in the road does not mean it is "bent" (faulty - as you speak in relation with the practise of a law) Zionism has nothing to with "revisionism". (Even) Zahal stood against that. Judaism has allway been "modern" and adaptive. I dont know how it works, and I dont want to study it - as a Jew "I am it". I fear the Most-Holy.
The Third Temple has already been constructed, long, long ago. If you had any knowledge of Scriptures, you would have recognized it. It is sad to see such ignorance in religion.
Reid - you respectfully asked if we could find a "descendent of Aaron pure and free of sin to be the Head Priest" When the Messiah comes, He will be the High Priest. I believe Yeshua (Jesus) of the Virgin Mary fulfills the requirements.
Maybe no one on the "other side" mentioned anything about the Temple to you because you're talking to the enemies of G-d. The fallen ones don't tell the truth...they never have. Stop communicating with them, repent and turn to G-d. Time is running out.
Um, how could the Vilna Gaon have discussed the *third* building of the Hurva when, in his time, it not only hadn't been *destroyed* a second time, it hadn't even been *built* a second time and was just the little-to-unknown ruins of a never-really-built Sabbatean (most likely) synagogue?
Yes Michael they will restore the sacrifices. It is said that they are already preparing for this, as well as using the red heffer for purification rites for the temple.
The third temple will be built on top of the first and second ones.
Jesus Christ is on His way, this is a big sign of the 3rd temple being built. It won`t be long.
Sorry, Michael, but the 3rd Temple will be built and Messiach will come. If you don't believe in prophecy, check with the Temple Mount Faithful... they will tell you!
This was, by all accounts, the premier, that is to say the main and most important, synagogue in the Land of Israel prior to 1948. So, therefore, let's of course turn it into a temple of Zionist glory. After all, isn't that why "we" rebuilt it in the first place? There are thousands of synagogues all over Israel where blue-and-white kippah-wearing congregants can practice religious Zionism all they want. Hello: This was ALWAYS a Haredi synagogue. G-d willing it will always be so. Turning this historic Haredi treasure into some mere Zionist tourist enterprise would be like Haredi Jews turning the Knesset into a Haredi shul. Sure, people want to view it. Let them -- dressed respectfully to all religious viewpoints, just like at the Wall. Sure, the government rebuilt it. Kol HaKavod. All Jews should share in it, but let's not turn it into something it is not and never was. Let's honor it for what it was, is, and G-d willing will ever be again!
All, There were a number of locations for the the Temple. The Northern Kingdom built the Temple on Mt. Gerazim, still a Holy Place for the Samaritans. The Jews of Ptolemy's Egypt built the Temple at Elephantine Island, once thought to be the location of the Ark of the Covenant. If we could build the Temple somewhere other than the Temple Mount, it could be done without a world religious war. Of course, any Temple would be accompanied by reconstituting the Aaronic priesthood. Leviticus and Deuteronomic rituals would be practiced. But do we have 100% descendent of Aaron who is pure and free of sin to be the Head Priest under Leviticus. I doubt it. Maybe we should stick with Rabbinic Judaism for now. We have had a system of direct relationship between man and God for the last 2,000 years. Do we need priestly intervention after all this time? Would 3rd Temple priestly Judaism be a new religion in opposition to Haredim Rabbinic Judaism? It makes one think.
Agree with you.The mere possibility would have the various factions at each others' throat. Besides, there are no Cohanim with perfectly attested taharah. As for the bloody sacrifices -perish the thought ! Given all of the above - and more - The status quo is just fine. David
All this talk about the Third Temple is frightening and hopefully a pipe dream. Aggressive messianic and ultra-nationalistic firebrands, building over the site of the mosques, animal sacrifices etc would prove to be a disaster to Jews and the region.
I believe the 3rd Temple is here already, the old wall is it. God needs no roof, it's how he wants. But build one if you must.
A 3rd temple's never going to happen anyway. Apart from the small matter of offending a billion Muslims by destroying their 3rd most holy site, there's the problem that you'd never get agreement among Jews over how the new temple was going to built and who was going to be in charge of it.
This primitive bickering shows conclusively that we are not ready for a Temple. The Vilna Gaon, if he were alive today, would not have missed such obvious signs of decay. Let them free up the kotel from its barricades and fences first as an experiment, and allow people to worship as they feel, not as one religious faction dictates they must.
Why can it not be an ultra-orthodox synogogue with specific times when tourists can go into "look around", say between the hours after Scharit till Mincha and then from after Minchah until Maariv. They can still have learning there from after Maariv untill say 11pm which will not disturb any residents. If any individual wants to go learn during the times of after Scharit to Maariv, why not?
I can't find anybody who can really do this except for me. I mean, go take a look at their books. Things they say are very general or they are completely nuts. Edgar Casey may have been able to do something although it may have had more to do with telling people where they are sick. There is a science behind this which involves reading the inside of the eye. Nostradamus must have known something. He was good at politics. But for all the people that appear on television and write books claiming ability, I just haven't run across anybody that can successfully prove it to me. I conducted a seance when I was 13 years old and asked for a spirit to convey a message through the fire of a candle. Five minutes later, a 49 cent bowl candle that had been put out for a half hour projected a five inch blue flame that lasted five to ten seconds. It was noisy. At least 5 other people and myself witnessed this. Good luck with the 3rd Temple but no one on the other side has mentioned it to me.
We chose the location because of its sanctity and meaning to rebuilding Jewish life in Eretz Yisrael. The shule was, is, and always will be a religious place of worship, and not a museum dedicated to lauding the secular Zionist enterprise. If they turn it into a museum and desecrate it, I will personally return with my sledge hammer to return it to its former glory.