TH E DO/v
OFTHE Kaufmann. His research, relying upon alter their names (which connoted their priestly heritage) when
details given in Middot, computations assimilated into foreign cultures. Thus, we continue to this day to TAB LETS
of angles of line-of-sight between the have Levis and Cohens, and derivatives of these names. Recently,
Mt. of Olives (where the red heifer a more scientific test to verify those of priestly lineage has appeared.
I was sacrificed) and the eastern court A computerized list of all known priestly candidates in Israel is main-
of the Temple where the Great Altar tained. Orthodox organizations in Israel are helping to educate this
stood, as well as physical clues dis- priesthood.
covered around the outside of the The Puri cation for the Temple
platform (now destroyed or hidden by
the Muslims), concludes that the In order for a Temple to be rebuilt today, those who would enter the
Temple was built on the northwestern holy areas must first be ritually pure. All Jews have become cere-
corner of the platform only about 330 monially unclean in the Diaspora and must be purified by the ashes
feet from the Muslim Dome of the Rock. He believes that bedrock of the red heifer (described in Numbers 19). In 2002, a red heifer
identifiable within a small cupola at this site, known in Arabic as the was born in Israel, the first in 2,000 years. Because the Jewish sage
Dome of the Tablets, was the Foundation Stone within the Holy of Maimonides taught that there had been nine red heifers between the
Holies. beginning of the Tabernacle and the end of the Second Temple, and,
that the tenth would be prepared by the Messianic King, a special The Plans j or the Temple
urgency is attached to the recovery of the Temple Mount.
According to experts, detailed blueprints for the Third Temple have The Politics o\] the Temple
existed for the past four years. The plans were drawn according to
the primary sources of information: the Bible, Josephus, and the The issue of rebuilding the Temple has been at the forefront (though
Mishnah tractate known as Middot ("Measurements"). Other struc- often downplayed) of the Arab-Israeli conflict. The Islamic authority
tures, including the Sanhedrin complex, have also been planned or (Wakf), who maintains rigid control of the Temple Mount, blamed the
actually built. The restored Temple complex envisioned by Ezekiel, Israeli government for starting a fire in the AI Aqsa Mosque in 1969
is to be thirty times larger than that of previous Temples. The legal in order to destroy the structure and rebuild the Temple. In fact, a
stipulations that the Sanhedrin will use to govern Israel's relationship mentally unstable member of a cult actually set the blaze! In March
to the rebuilt Temple and its services have already been researched of 1997 Yasser Arafat was shown in an AP photograph, holding up
and are in the process of being published by the Research Center an artist's rendering of a restored Jewish Temple and telling his peo-
for Jewish Thought under the direction of Yoel Lerner. ple to "get ready for the next battle" (for Jerusalem). Similar calls for
conflict were also issued from loudspeakers on the Temple Mount. Preparation the Temple
Now that access to the Temple Mount has been permitted for reli-
Shortly after the national commemoration of Tisha B'Av in the Jewish gious purposes, many services long suspended since the Temple's
year 5763 (August 7, 2003), the authorities opened the gate of the destruction may be re-instituted. Such actions, it has been argued,
Temple Mount. Now that Israeli sovereignty has been re-asserted would further demand a rebuilt Temple to complete and focus these
over the site and the gate to the Temple Mount promised "never acts of devotion.
again to be closed to Israelis and non-Muslims," how long will the Is the Day Growing Near?
Israeli authorities tolerate Palestinian Authority control over the
Temple? A first stage in the liberation of the Temple Mount seems to A first stage in the liberation of the Temple Mount seems to have
have been taken. Will it, in fact, lead to other stages that will in turn been taken. Will it in fact lead to other stages that will in turn con-
conclude with the rebuilding of the Temple? clude with the rebuilding of the Temple? These are exciting times in
which to live, and perhaps witness the occurrences that will climax Since 1987, the Temple Institute, a group of rabbinical researchers,
in this momentous event. designers, and craftsmen, has been creating in the Jewish Quarter
of Jerusalem what they call a "Temple-in-waiting." Among the 103 The modern physical preparations and political demonstrations by
Temple items that have, or are in the process of being recreated are: Orthodox Jews point toward the ultimate fulfillment of a restored
apparel for the High Priest, sacrificial incense spices, urns, incense Jewish Temple. For Believers in Yeshua (Jesus), in this present age
pans, the golden lavar, and the stone vessel (kelal) for grinding and of the Church who are
holding the purifying ashes of the red heifer, the golden menorah awaiting the Rapture, these
(lampstand), silver trumpets, the Golden Altar of Incense, and the present efforts to rebuild
Table of Shewbread. Other building projects include a full scale altar represent a significant sign
for the training of the priests. The Ark of the Covenant is believed to of events that will be part of
exist in a chamber under the Temple Mount. Another group active in the Tribulation. As such,
the rebuilding of the Third Temple, the Temple Mount Faithful, has readiness to rebuild ,,~.~.:~ ~,.~ ~ ...... :
brought three cornerstones to Jerusalem from Mitzpe Ramon in the announces the nearness of ~.} : :~:::~
Negev. It is one of the few places in the Land of Israel where the
character and color of the stone is similar to that from which the First encourages us as Believers :~ ::~.
and Second Temples were made. to live godly and productive ~- ..... ~ ,
lives as we watch and wait ,.~ ? The Priests \[or the Temple
for the Blessed Hope. ~il~
According to rabbinic tradition, the Tribe of Levi was forbidden to
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