In the interval while I am writing some follow-up thoughts to my last post, I thought I would share some exciting news with you from the Temple Institute, a Jerusalem organization which has as its goal the building of a temple in Jerusalem. In case you haven’t heard of them, please have a look at www.templeinstitute.com. I first came in contact with them while on a tour of the Holy Land in 1993. From their website, here is a brief description of their goals and purpose:

The Temple Institute (in Hebrew, Machon HaMikdash), founded in 1987, is a non-profit educational and religious organization located in the Jewish quarter of Jerusalem’s Old City. The Institute is dedicated to every aspect of the Biblical commandment to build the Holy Temple of G-d on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem. Our short-term goal is to rekindle the flame of the Holy Temple in the hearts of mankind through education. Our long-term goal is to do all in our limited power to bring about the building of the Holy Temple in our time. Thus, the Institute’s efforts include raising public awareness about the Holy Temple, and the central role that it occupies in the spiritual life of mankind. The many areas of activities conducted by the Institute combine research, seminars, publications, and conferences, as well as the production of educational materials.

Further explaining the methods behind their goals:

Bronze Sea at Solomon’s Temple

The Temple Institute was founded on the principle of action. Its goal is to provide a basis in research, planning and infrastructure for the Third Temple. 

 The basis of the Institute’s work is the commandment given to the Jewish people at Mount Sinai, “And they shall make for Me a Sanctuary, and I will dwell amongst them” (Ex. 25:8). The Institute’s efforts towards preparing for the Temple in our time can be compared to the preparations that were done in the days of the tabernacle and later, by King David.

Concerning their research department: 

A team of rabbis, scholars, scientists and other experts in various fields are presently occupied with the study of various Temple-related subjects. The results of these studies are published periodically by the Temple Institute.

The conclusions of this research form the basis for the creation of the sacred vessels and priestly garments that are fashioned by the Institute’s Restoration Department, comprised of experts representing a wide range of fields and professions: gold and silversmiths, weavers, gemologists, musicologists, carpenters, painters, graphic artists, architects and more.

Although I was only 16 years old when I visited the Temple Institute museum, I can still remember seeing all the beautiful gold/brass vessels, lavers, horns, and other temple instruments that they had already made for use in the Third Temple. I was amazed that they were actually working toward this goal and that they actually had things ready for it-just waiting to be used whenever the Temple would be allowed to be built. Today, they have many more items ready.

Just recently, they announced that they are making the sacred temple robes for the temple priests (cohanim)! Check out this video of “The Inauguration Ceremony of The New Workshop for Priestly Garments.”

See photos of the event here.

Also, I encourage you to sign their online petition “calling for the government of Israel to allow Jews freedom of worship on the Temple Mount.”

The Temple Institute is doing some great work in Israel and among the Jews in promoting interest in the building of a new Temple in Jerusalem. Although they may have a different outlook from some of us on how a temple should be (to me, they have what I would call a “Second Temple” perspective), it is still very exciting to see their determination to rebuild the House of the Lord.