MIKDASH-BUILD

29 Av 5758
Volume II, Number 17

Table of Contents

1. FROM THE INTRODUCTION TO TORAT HABAYIT
2. CORRESPONDENCE

The 8th annual Mikdash Conference is tentatively scheduled for: Tuesday, 24 Elul 5758 (September 15, 1998 ce) at Binyanei HaUma

FROM THE INTRODUCTION TO TORAT HABAYIT

Introduction to Torat HaBayit, paragraph 12

Who has greater faith than our patriarch Yaakov. G-d Himself told him, "I will go down with thee into Egypt, and I will also surely bring thee up again." (Breishit 46:4) Rashi comments that he was promised to be buried in the Land of Israel. He nevertheless requested and beseeched his son Yosef and put him under oath: that he will do him kindness and truth -- not to bury him in Egypt. "But I will lie with my fathers, and thou shalt carry me out of Egypt and bury me in their burying place." (Breishit 47:29-30) Yosef requested from Pharaoh's ministries that they should request Pharaoh's permission to fulfill his oath to his father. It is therefore clear that promises which G-d makes are on the condition that we try to bring it about. Only then will G-d help us.

So too, our belief that G-d will soon rebuild the Beit HaMikdash requires our action. Such action shows our faith, that Hashem will help us do the mitzvah. With the merit of our actions, the Mercy and Kindness of G-d will be awakened to help us reach our goal, just like with any other mitzvah that we are commanded to do -- shouldn't it suffice to just read about it and believe? Hashem in His Infinite Wisdom did not decree this, but that we should act, just like in the Binding of Yitzchak and all mitzvot of action. Likewise, regarding offering sacrifices, the Kesef Mishnah, Rabbi Akiva Eiger, and the Chatam Sofer laid down the principle that we must ask permission to do so.


Table of Contents

CORRESPONDENCE

I pray that the rebuilding of the Beit HaMikdash occurs swiftly -- within my lifetime. Paraphrasing Ps. 137:5-6, I have not forgotten thee, O Jerusalem, my chiefest joy! I am seeking references in the literature (in ENGLISH) that substantiate that the Holy Ark of the Covenant is buried in a chamber beneath the rubble of the first Beit HaMikdash. I do have a copy of the late Rebbe Menachem Schneerson's discussion of the RamBam's (Maimonides') beliefs in the subject. Can you direct me to other sources? Your help will be much appreciated.

Todah rabah!

Ron Landau

Ron,

Although the Mishnah in Shekalim (6:2) implies that the Holy Ark is hidden under the chambers of the Temple, there is a dispute in the Talmud regarding this (Yoma 53b). (There are several translations rendered for the Mishnah and Talmud.)

A successful quest,

yirmi

Dear Yirmiyahu,

I've enjoyed reading your postings over the past year. I always felt that I could support nearly every comment that you wrote as well as what Rav Kahane ZT"L, HY"D always believed in. I think you may have stepped over (at least my) the line with your last message in " Bein HaUlam LeMizbeach, issue 12". Two particularly mean spirited (but I believe well intentioned) upset me greatly.

"Here are the excuses:

The fool says: I believe, and even though he may tarry, I still wait for him every day."

On how many lips and for how many hundreds of years has the Torah Jew cried, Ani Maamin BeEmunah Shlaimah. Be careful before you call such a large group of Maaminim, "fools".

If it is supplied with secret "Tikkun Hatzot" (getting up in the middle of the night to cry over the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash), what can we hope for, but thousands of years of distant hopes."

Are you so sure that the tears shed over Tikkun Chatzot have no efficacy?

I AGREE with you, that tears and tefillot, while essential are not enough. Direct action and hard work by our initiative are needed and I support your efforts. Yaasher Kochacha!

BUT..... Maaminim are not fools. Holy Jews that wake up for Tikkun Chatzot are not your enemy and target for ridicule. I dare say that these comments fit all too well into the geder of sinat chinam which caused (at least churban bayit sheni) the current situation.

Please understand my points. I'm WITH YOU MEA ACHUZ (well maybe a little less than that) but the choice of words and the derision of the power and efficacy of emunah and prayer are NOT your enemies. That DOES NOT PRECLUDE the positive and activist efforts that you and I feel are necessary now more than ever.

Hatzlacha Raba

Jay

Jay,

Yasher koach on your important point.

I do not think the author is someone who does not consider it important to have faith and to say, "Ani Maamin" (I believe). The article stated, "the fool gives up and eats his meat while chanting 'I believe'." The idea expressed is the fool's declaration of faith is mere chanting and moving of the lips. Since he has given up and does not act on his faith, his true belief comes into question. The ideal is, of course, to say you believe and act like you believe.

Does Tikkun Chatzot work? Of course it does, when you cannot do anything else. But when the Jewish People has the ability to rebuild the Beit HaMikdash, prayer without "hishtadlus" (effort) does not suffice. Prayer is important, but must be accompanied by action.

See you on Har HaBayit,

yirmi

Dear Yirmi:

Can you get for me the full Hebrew text of the letter of the Rambam describing his aliya to Har HaBayis?

Also do you have any clear proofs that the issur for a tomei meit to enter into the ezras nashim is only d'rabbannon? From the Rambam one could say that it is assur, just not chayav caret.

Thank you

Tsvi Rogin

Tsvi,

Yasher koach on you enlightening questions.

On the cover of "Yibane HaMikdash", it says to look in Sefer HaCharedim, Hilchot Tshuva, chapter 3, "Mitoch ktav yado shel HaRav Moshe Ben Maimon ..." You may also try looking in Rav Kappach's books on the Rambam.

A source that the prohibition of a Tamei Met entering the Temple Mount being of Rabbinic nature is Tosafot Yevamot 7b, with the heading "Rabbi Yochanan ..." stating, "Mipetach Har HaBayit Ad Sha'ar Nikanor Machane Levia" (From the entrance to the Temple Mount until the Nikanor Gate (the gate to the Ezrat Yisrael from the Ezrat Nashim) is Levitic camp -- where there is no Torah prohibition for someone defiled from the dead to enter).

Chazak ve-ematz,

yirmi

(regarding the article in Mikdash Build 2:15 that states that the halachic opinion to follow is that of the Radbaz -- that the Beit HaMikdash was located in the area the Dome of the Rock stands today)

Shalom Yirmi,

I have a few questions:

1) Was the Radba"z a prophit?!!! why do everyone has to accept his psika?

2) have you read the material of T.Sagiv? if you want to read it all I can give it to you.

3) there are 250 rabbis who call from praying on the temple mount. Do they also practice this?

koltuv

Zachi Zweig

Zachi,

In the halachic world, it is not the general practice to overturn halachic rulings of Torah giants. AFAIK, all rabbis who issue halachic rulings instruction where it is permissible to walk on the Temple Mount follow the Radbaz.

All the best,

yirmi

Table of Contents

HaTenu'ah LeChinun HaMikdash

Gathering en masse to arouse consciousness among the People, its rabbis, and its leaders to rebuild the Beit HaMikdash and return the Kohanim to their Service

P.O. Box 31336, Jerusalem, ISRAEL
Telephone: +972-2-5371904
Email: Yirmiyahu Fischer


Back to Home Page Mikdash-Build Archives About Us
Events and Shiurim Ascending Har HaBayit Links
This page hosted by Get your own Free Home Page