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Israel’s Priests Prepare for the Third Temple. (Ref. The Messianic prophecy bible project.)
According to Chaim Richman, the director of the Temple Institute in Jerusalem, whose headquarters is a short distance away from the Western Wall in the Old City, a “Temple in waiting” has essentially already been created.
“The Temple Institute is actively engaged in the research and preparation of the resumption of service in the Holy Temple to the extent of actually preparing operational blueprints for the construction of the Temple according to the most modern standards,” Richman told CBN News’ Chris Mitchell.
Chaim Richman, the director of the Temple Institute in Jerusalem. (YouTube capture)
Indeed, the Institute has already created over 60 sacred Temple vessels that will be needed for worship in the coming rebuilt Temple.
The High Priest’s breastplate containing the 12 precious stones of the tribes of Israel, and the musical instruments of the Levitical choir are also ready. In addition, the Institute prepared the priestly garments.
These garments will adorn a new generation of Levitical Priests (Kohanim) who are already in training.
Kohen (literally Priest) is a status given only to Aaron (who was a Levite) and his descendants. Levitical priests, therefore, are those Jews who mark their ancestry back to the tribe of Levi and are descendants of Aaron, the brother of Moses. Today, Cohen is a common Jewish last name and indicates a possible connection to the bloodline of Aaron.
While the Kohanim were charged with sacrificial duties, those Levites who were not descendants of Aaron were charged with caring for the Temple as well as its vessels and furnishings.
School for Training the Third Temple Priests
In keeping with the tradition established by Chief Rabbi Kook to view with expectation God’s speedy fulfillment of His prophecies regarding the Temple, the Temple Institute along with the Third Temple Academy has begun such preparations for the Third Temple.
In 2009, a field school was built in Mizpe Yericho to prepare Kohanim (priests) and Levites for service in the Third Temple.
In 2010, uncut stones were collected from the Dead Sea for the construction of the Temple altar. Such pristine stones are believed to fulfill the injunction that such building material be free from contact with metal tools. (Deuteronomy 27:5)
The Third Temple Academy in Mitzpe Yericho is about a 20-minute drive from Jerusalem on the road that leads to Jericho and the Jordan Valley.
By building a replica of the Temple, the school has been able to give the priestly students a hands-on experience of Temple sacrificial worship.
Kohanim are also being trained to perform the regular Temple duties or the daily Tamid service that is performed in the Holy Temple.
In August 2013, an evening was set aside for the grand opening of the school with a semi-dress rehearsal covering the complete daily service.
Participants, some dressed in full priestly adornments, carried out the service step by step as prescribed through the Torah (Five Books of Moses), the Mishnah (rabbinical interpretations of the Torah) and other rabbinical writings.
“Despite the limited space and all the typical pressure that accompany first time efforts, the overall effect was spell-binding, as we witnessed a sacred ceremony, first described in Torah four thousand years ago, yet not attended to for two thousand years of exile, suddenly come to life before our very eyes. All at once, ancient texts and descriptions took shape as today’s descendants of Aaron, the first high priest and father of all kohanim, worked diligently to perform their assigned tasks,” a Facebook post stated.
Four Kohanim walk beside a small modular altar in the Temple Institute that can be disassembled and placed within the Third Temple. Two Kohanim carry ceramic vessels filled with pure olive oil that will be stored for use in the Third Temple. On the ramp of the altar is the three-pronged fork for placing the offerings on the fire atop the altar. The copper vessel will be used to remove the previous day’s ashes. (Source: Temple Institute Facebook)
Resuming the Giving of Offerings
In a truly exciting development since then, this Pesach (Passover 2015), the Kohanim in training completed an accurate, authentic re-enactment of the Korban Pesach (Passover offering). It is the first time in 2,000 years that this offering has been witnessed.
The Temple Institute video of the re-enactment shows the Kohanim in their white uniforms using sacred vessels. The uniforms, vessels and re-enactment were the result of decades of research.
In the picturesque Samarian hills near Shiloh, a lamb was inspected and its blood was passed from one Kohanim to another in silver vessels called mizrak.
“It is unconscionable and untenable that the Jewish people are prevented from conducting their Biblically-mandated Korban Pesach on Har HaBayis [Temple Mount] as required by Halacha [religious laws derived from written and oral laws].
“The Korban Pesach is the very essence of not only the holiday but also of our Jewish identity. We hope this video connects Jews worldwide to the true meaning of Pesach,” Rabbi Chaim Richman explains.
A Kohen holds a silver mizrak, which is used to collect the blood from the sacrifice. After collecting the blood, the priest then spills it onto the corner of the altar. (Source: Temple Institute Facebook page)
“We call on all of Israel to study and discuss the Korban Pesach and make it the central theme of their Seder. The concept of the Korban Pesach is synonymous with Israel’s bold stand against all forms of idolatry. Only by understanding the true nature of the Passover experience can we hope to fulfill our Divine calling to be a light to the nations and celebrate yomtov [festival] properly in the rebuilt Jerusalem,” Richman adds.
On the second day of Pesach this year, yet another great stride was taken in bringing back the service of the Holy Temple—a practice run for the bringing of the omer (barley offering) to the Temple, as mandated in Leviticus 23:10.
In the Third Temple, a small amount of omer will be offered on the altar, and the rest will be eaten by the Kohanim serving in the Temple.
The omer marks the beginning of the countdown to Shavuot (Feast of Weeks or Pentecost).
Richman says, “We have enough in place now to resume divine service and to build the Temple,” adding, “But obviously, a lot of things have to happen in order for this to happen.” (CBN)
Preparing for Purification in the Third Temple: The Red Heifer
Although the Temple vessels have been created and the priests are in training, there are some serious issues that need to be resolved before construction on a new Temple can begin.
One key element missing at the moment is the finding of a ritually pure red heifer, which is necessary to fulfill the command to use a red heifer as a means of purifying the altar (Numbers 19).
Such specimens must be without blemish and not even two of their hairs may vary in color.
Previous red heifers have been disqualified, including a New Jersey red heifer that became ineligible this year when it gave birth to a black calf. Pregnancy and the subsequent birth disqualify the cow.
Rather than wait for one to appear randomly in a flock somewhere on earth, the Temple Institute has begun a special red heifer breeding program that includes the implanting of frozen Red Angus embryos into domestic Israeli cattle. A crowdfunding campaign is underway to help fund it. To date, approximately $31,000 has been raised for this effort.
A Kohen and men from the Temple Institute have a look at Israeli cattle. (Temple Institute Facebook photo)
“I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD, give yourselves no rest, and give Him no rest till He establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth.” (Isaiah 62:6–7)
Laying the Cornerstone of the Third Temple
“In building the temple, only blocks dressed at the quarry were used, and no hammer, chisel or any other iron tool was heard at the temple site while it was being built.” (1 Kings 6:7)
A group called “The Temple Mount Faithful,” led by Gershon Salomon, has actually prepared the cornerstones for a new Temple, using diamond rather than steel cutting tools, so as to conform with the Bible injunction that no metal tool be used in the construction of the Temple—an edifice of peace.
The six-ton stones have been consecrated with water drawn from the Biblical pool of Siloam. For the last several years, Salomon and his followers have attempted to place these cornerstones on the Temple Mount but each time they have been stopped by the Israeli police.
Noting that the Temple must be rebuilt on the Temple Mount, Salomon said, “Unfortunately, weakness of the Israeli leadership did not allow us to bring the cornerstones to the right place. The end-time Temple should be built on the same location as the First and the Second Temple.”
According to Chaim Richman, the director of the Temple Institute in Jerusalem, whose headquarters is a short distance away from the Western Wall in the Old City, a “Temple in waiting” has essentially already been created.
“The Temple Institute is actively engaged in the research and preparation of the resumption of service in the Holy Temple to the extent of actually preparing operational blueprints for the construction of the Temple according to the most modern standards,” Richman told CBN News’ Chris Mitchell.
Chaim Richman, the director of the Temple Institute in Jerusalem. (YouTube capture)
Indeed, the Institute has already created over 60 sacred Temple vessels that will be needed for worship in the coming rebuilt Temple.
The High Priest’s breastplate containing the 12 precious stones of the tribes of Israel, and the musical instruments of the Levitical choir are also ready. In addition, the Institute prepared the priestly garments.
These garments will adorn a new generation of Levitical Priests (Kohanim) who are already in training.
Kohen (literally Priest) is a status given only to Aaron (who was a Levite) and his descendants. Levitical priests, therefore, are those Jews who mark their ancestry back to the tribe of Levi and are descendants of Aaron, the brother of Moses. Today, Cohen is a common Jewish last name and indicates a possible connection to the bloodline of Aaron.
While the Kohanim were charged with sacrificial duties, those Levites who were not descendants of Aaron were charged with caring for the Temple as well as its vessels and furnishings.
School for Training the Third Temple Priests
In keeping with the tradition established by Chief Rabbi Kook to view with expectation God’s speedy fulfillment of His prophecies regarding the Temple, the Temple Institute along with the Third Temple Academy has begun such preparations for the Third Temple.
In 2009, a field school was built in Mizpe Yericho to prepare Kohanim (priests) and Levites for service in the Third Temple.
In 2010, uncut stones were collected from the Dead Sea for the construction of the Temple altar. Such pristine stones are believed to fulfill the injunction that such building material be free from contact with metal tools. (Deuteronomy 27:5)
The Third Temple Academy in Mitzpe Yericho is about a 20-minute drive from Jerusalem on the road that leads to Jericho and the Jordan Valley.
By building a replica of the Temple, the school has been able to give the priestly students a hands-on experience of Temple sacrificial worship.
Kohanim are also being trained to perform the regular Temple duties or the daily Tamid service that is performed in the Holy Temple.
In August 2013, an evening was set aside for the grand opening of the school with a semi-dress rehearsal covering the complete daily service.
Participants, some dressed in full priestly adornments, carried out the service step by step as prescribed through the Torah (Five Books of Moses), the Mishnah (rabbinical interpretations of the Torah) and other rabbinical writings.
“Despite the limited space and all the typical pressure that accompany first time efforts, the overall effect was spell-binding, as we witnessed a sacred ceremony, first described in Torah four thousand years ago, yet not attended to for two thousand years of exile, suddenly come to life before our very eyes. All at once, ancient texts and descriptions took shape as today’s descendants of Aaron, the first high priest and father of all kohanim, worked diligently to perform their assigned tasks,” a Facebook post stated.
Four Kohanim walk beside a small modular altar in the Temple Institute that can be disassembled and placed within the Third Temple. Two Kohanim carry ceramic vessels filled with pure olive oil that will be stored for use in the Third Temple. On the ramp of the altar is the three-pronged fork for placing the offerings on the fire atop the altar. The copper vessel will be used to remove the previous day’s ashes. (Source: Temple Institute Facebook)
Resuming the Giving of Offerings
In a truly exciting development since then, this Pesach (Passover 2015), the Kohanim in training completed an accurate, authentic re-enactment of the Korban Pesach (Passover offering). It is the first time in 2,000 years that this offering has been witnessed.
The Temple Institute video of the re-enactment shows the Kohanim in their white uniforms using sacred vessels. The uniforms, vessels and re-enactment were the result of decades of research.
In the picturesque Samarian hills near Shiloh, a lamb was inspected and its blood was passed from one Kohanim to another in silver vessels called mizrak.
“It is unconscionable and untenable that the Jewish people are prevented from conducting their Biblically-mandated Korban Pesach on Har HaBayis [Temple Mount] as required by Halacha [religious laws derived from written and oral laws].
“The Korban Pesach is the very essence of not only the holiday but also of our Jewish identity. We hope this video connects Jews worldwide to the true meaning of Pesach,” Rabbi Chaim Richman explains.
A Kohen holds a silver mizrak, which is used to collect the blood from the sacrifice. After collecting the blood, the priest then spills it onto the corner of the altar. (Source: Temple Institute Facebook page)
“We call on all of Israel to study and discuss the Korban Pesach and make it the central theme of their Seder. The concept of the Korban Pesach is synonymous with Israel’s bold stand against all forms of idolatry. Only by understanding the true nature of the Passover experience can we hope to fulfill our Divine calling to be a light to the nations and celebrate yomtov [festival] properly in the rebuilt Jerusalem,” Richman adds.
On the second day of Pesach this year, yet another great stride was taken in bringing back the service of the Holy Temple—a practice run for the bringing of the omer (barley offering) to the Temple, as mandated in Leviticus 23:10.
In the Third Temple, a small amount of omer will be offered on the altar, and the rest will be eaten by the Kohanim serving in the Temple.
The omer marks the beginning of the countdown to Shavuot (Feast of Weeks or Pentecost).
Richman says, “We have enough in place now to resume divine service and to build the Temple,” adding, “But obviously, a lot of things have to happen in order for this to happen.” (CBN)
Preparing for Purification in the Third Temple: The Red Heifer
Although the Temple vessels have been created and the priests are in training, there are some serious issues that need to be resolved before construction on a new Temple can begin.
One key element missing at the moment is the finding of a ritually pure red heifer, which is necessary to fulfill the command to use a red heifer as a means of purifying the altar (Numbers 19).
Such specimens must be without blemish and not even two of their hairs may vary in color.
Previous red heifers have been disqualified, including a New Jersey red heifer that became ineligible this year when it gave birth to a black calf. Pregnancy and the subsequent birth disqualify the cow.
Rather than wait for one to appear randomly in a flock somewhere on earth, the Temple Institute has begun a special red heifer breeding program that includes the implanting of frozen Red Angus embryos into domestic Israeli cattle. A crowdfunding campaign is underway to help fund it. To date, approximately $31,000 has been raised for this effort.
A Kohen and men from the Temple Institute have a look at Israeli cattle. (Temple Institute Facebook photo)
“I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD, give yourselves no rest, and give Him no rest till He establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth.” (Isaiah 62:6–7)
Laying the Cornerstone of the Third Temple
“In building the temple, only blocks dressed at the quarry were used, and no hammer, chisel or any other iron tool was heard at the temple site while it was being built.” (1 Kings 6:7)
A group called “The Temple Mount Faithful,” led by Gershon Salomon, has actually prepared the cornerstones for a new Temple, using diamond rather than steel cutting tools, so as to conform with the Bible injunction that no metal tool be used in the construction of the Temple—an edifice of peace.
The six-ton stones have been consecrated with water drawn from the Biblical pool of Siloam. For the last several years, Salomon and his followers have attempted to place these cornerstones on the Temple Mount but each time they have been stopped by the Israeli police.
Noting that the Temple must be rebuilt on the Temple Mount, Salomon said, “Unfortunately, weakness of the Israeli leadership did not allow us to bring the cornerstones to the right place. The end-time Temple should be built on the same location as the First and the Second Temple.”
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