“And make a sanctuary for me so that I may dwell among them” (Exodus 25: 8).
This holy commandment in Scripture seems pretty clear, so what is the problem? Why did Israel tolerate Jerusalem’s “abomination of desolation” – a Temple Mount without a Temple? Why haven’t religious leaders encouraged people to do what they can to fulfill this mitzvah?
Why are political leaders afraid of such thoughts and shamefully banning me from entering Israel? Could such talk lead to war? Is the Arab god of the moon greater than the God of Israel? Have the Muslim hordes already defeated the Lion of Judah? Isn’t Jerusalem the eternal capital of Israel?
Should we wait until we are perfect before we can build the Third Temple? Are we less worthy than our ancestors who provoked God ten times in the desert and yet were instructed to build the tabernacle?
Doesn’t God work through very human instruments? How many times does God have to emphasize in the Torah that He chose us for His Great Purpose and the love for our parents Abraham, Isaac and Jacob? Our role in God’s Plan is due to His goodness and mercy, not our greatness!
Where are the true leaders like Moses and David who made public calls to prepare a sanctuary for our God? (Exodus 35: 4-5). All men and women were encouraged to give of themselves in whatever way possible: skills and talents, time and materials. There was such an overwhelming response to Moses’ request that he had to ask for restraint! (Exodus 36: 6-7).
David, unable to build the temple, did his best to prepare for it. He didn’t just pray for it and wait for someone else to do something! And setting such an excellent example, David used it as a golden opportunity to ask the nation to follow his example. The rulers and the people responded and found transcendent joy in his generosity. (1 Chronicles 29: 2,6).
Haggai and Zechariah had to challenge the Jewish leaders of their day to stop making excuses and build the temple. God had restored Judah to Zion, so why wasn’t it about time He was invited Home too?
Note that those Jews made aliyah (migrated) to Israel and built the Temple without a Messiah! And for the first 22 years the temple and sacrificial system functioned WITHOUT THE RED HEIFER ASH!
The inaction of Israel and the Jews of the world regarding the Temple is without excuse! Even for those who would ignore the biblical story and demand that we be ritually pure first, there is no reason not to prepare for that glorious day! It is up to the Chief Rabbinate and the Israeli government to do it!
Israel must make a public appeal and an international issue declaring that the Vatican must return the treasures of the Temple!
Fortunately, Temple Mount Faithful, Temple Institute, and Yeshiva Ateret Cohanim have started the process. As Abraham Lincoln said: “I will prepare myself and the opportunity will present itself.”