Ha-Mikdash is proudly nominated for "Best New Blog 2004" in the JIB (Jewish and Israeli Blog) Awards!
Stay tuned for more information on how to vote.
January 18, 2005
Thanks to all my readers!
Ha-Mikdash is proudly nominated for "Best New Blog 2004" in the JIB (Jewish and Israeli Blog) Awards!
Stay tuned for more information on how to vote.
January 14, 2005
Update on the Sanhedrin
"A religious-legal assembly of 71 Sages that convened in the Holy Temple and for several centuries after its destruction, the Sanhedrin was the highest Jewish judicial tribunal in the Land of Israel"
"Their most recent meeting was this week, in which they discussed technical and procedural issues, topics for their agenda, and the Halakhic [Jewish legal] and other ramifications of renewing the Passover sacrifice.Their most recent meeting was this week, in which they discussed technical and procedural issues, topics for their agenda, and the Halakhic [Jewish legal] and other ramifications of renewing the Passover sacrifice."
Will the Passover Sacrifice be reinstituted? Should I start sharpening my knives?
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/news.php3?id=75313
Poor poor PETA. If they didn't like shechita in Iowa the ain't gonna love it when they see it in Jerusalem!
"Their most recent meeting was this week, in which they discussed technical and procedural issues, topics for their agenda, and the Halakhic [Jewish legal] and other ramifications of renewing the Passover sacrifice.Their most recent meeting was this week, in which they discussed technical and procedural issues, topics for their agenda, and the Halakhic [Jewish legal] and other ramifications of renewing the Passover sacrifice."
Will the Passover Sacrifice be reinstituted? Should I start sharpening my knives?
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/news.php3?id=75313
Poor poor PETA. If they didn't like shechita in Iowa the ain't gonna love it when they see it in Jerusalem!
January 13, 2005
A Prayer
Tsunamis. Landslides. Floods.
I personally witnessed the horrible consequences of the seemingly unrelenting rain in Southern California. People are dead. Houses are washed away. Lives are ruined.
I remembered an odd passage in the Machzor (prayer book) for Yom Kippur. It stated that when the Kohain Gadol (High Priest) left the Holy of Holies in peace he would pray a special prayer for the Jewish People. Then, as if tacked on the end of this blessing for a fruitful and blessed year, he would say: “[concerning the inhabitants of the Sharon] May it be Your will, Hashem, our G-d and the G-d of our forefathers, that their homes not become their graves.”
The ArtsScroll Machzor states (citing Yerushalmi Yoma 5:2): “The Kohen Gadol recited a special prayer for the people of the Sharon because the earth there was suitable for construction, and house had to be rebuilt twice every seven years or they would collapse. Also, the houses in the valley were subject to landslides and flash floods. Hence the Kohen Gadol prayed that the inhabitants of Sharon not be trapped in the ruins of their homes.”
The fact is, no matter where we live, we are at the mercy of the elements. And we must never forget that Hashem ultimately controls everything. But if there is any positive to the disasters that have befallen so many, it is that there has been an incredible outpouring of help, support and charity for those who have suffered.
My prayer as a humble Jew is that Hashem should comfort those who have lost so much and may He end the immense suffering soon.
I personally witnessed the horrible consequences of the seemingly unrelenting rain in Southern California. People are dead. Houses are washed away. Lives are ruined.
I remembered an odd passage in the Machzor (prayer book) for Yom Kippur. It stated that when the Kohain Gadol (High Priest) left the Holy of Holies in peace he would pray a special prayer for the Jewish People. Then, as if tacked on the end of this blessing for a fruitful and blessed year, he would say: “[concerning the inhabitants of the Sharon] May it be Your will, Hashem, our G-d and the G-d of our forefathers, that their homes not become their graves.”
The ArtsScroll Machzor states (citing Yerushalmi Yoma 5:2): “The Kohen Gadol recited a special prayer for the people of the Sharon because the earth there was suitable for construction, and house had to be rebuilt twice every seven years or they would collapse. Also, the houses in the valley were subject to landslides and flash floods. Hence the Kohen Gadol prayed that the inhabitants of Sharon not be trapped in the ruins of their homes.”
The fact is, no matter where we live, we are at the mercy of the elements. And we must never forget that Hashem ultimately controls everything. But if there is any positive to the disasters that have befallen so many, it is that there has been an incredible outpouring of help, support and charity for those who have suffered.
My prayer as a humble Jew is that Hashem should comfort those who have lost so much and may He end the immense suffering soon.
You want web Torah? This guy has web Torah!
http://eparsha.com/
Links to everything Torah on the web. Please note that not all sources are "kosher." He does a good job marking those off.
Links to everything Torah on the web. Please note that not all sources are "kosher." He does a good job marking those off.
Model of the Beis Hamikdash
The Model of the Beis Hamikdash designed by Rav Zalmen Koren Shlit"a
See it here:
http://www.neveh.org/mikdash/koren/default.html
See it here:
http://www.neveh.org/mikdash/koren/default.html
Speak out against the Desecration!
From the Jerusalem Post
Police allow illegal Muslim burial near Temple Mount
By ETGAR LEFKOVITS
The Arab chairman of a committee which serves as ago-between between Jerusalem police and Arab residents of east Jerusalem is selling burial plots to Muslims just outside the Temple Mount in contravention of the law which classifies the area as state archaeological grounds, a prominent right-wing activist who has taken the state to court said Thursday.
The area in question lies adjacent to the southeastern corner of the Temple Mount, where Jordanian engineers are at carrying out repair work on the 2,000-year-old wall, in the direction of the walled-up Golden Gate, where Jewish tradition holds the messiah will enter.
With burial space fast running out at the nearbyancient Muslim cemetery, Arab residents have, over the last year and a half, begun encroaching on the new site to be used for burial.
Arieh King, an activist with the ultra-nationalistElad organization, who last year filed a petition to the High Court of Justice against the burial ofMuslims going on at the site, said Thursday that aworker employed by his organization was recently able to buy three burial plots at the site for NIS 10,000 from the Arab chairman of an east Jerusalem based committee which serves as an intermediary between police and Arab residents of east Jerusalem.
"It turns out that the person who is selling theburial ground is a police appointee, who is supposedly working on behalf of police," King said.
King, who on Thursday asked Israel's Highest Court to issue an immediate interim injunction barring further burials at the site, added that previous municipality demolition orders to stop the burial going on at the archaeological and national park site have been prevented by police.
Jerusalem police spokesman Shmuel Ben-Ruby saidThursday that police have reported all the goings-on at the site to the political echelon.
Me: Write the Knesset, your Senator and Congressman! This desecration has to end. Please pass this on.
Police allow illegal Muslim burial near Temple Mount
By ETGAR LEFKOVITS
The Arab chairman of a committee which serves as ago-between between Jerusalem police and Arab residents of east Jerusalem is selling burial plots to Muslims just outside the Temple Mount in contravention of the law which classifies the area as state archaeological grounds, a prominent right-wing activist who has taken the state to court said Thursday.
The area in question lies adjacent to the southeastern corner of the Temple Mount, where Jordanian engineers are at carrying out repair work on the 2,000-year-old wall, in the direction of the walled-up Golden Gate, where Jewish tradition holds the messiah will enter.
With burial space fast running out at the nearbyancient Muslim cemetery, Arab residents have, over the last year and a half, begun encroaching on the new site to be used for burial.
Arieh King, an activist with the ultra-nationalistElad organization, who last year filed a petition to the High Court of Justice against the burial ofMuslims going on at the site, said Thursday that aworker employed by his organization was recently able to buy three burial plots at the site for NIS 10,000 from the Arab chairman of an east Jerusalem based committee which serves as an intermediary between police and Arab residents of east Jerusalem.
"It turns out that the person who is selling theburial ground is a police appointee, who is supposedly working on behalf of police," King said.
King, who on Thursday asked Israel's Highest Court to issue an immediate interim injunction barring further burials at the site, added that previous municipality demolition orders to stop the burial going on at the archaeological and national park site have been prevented by police.
Jerusalem police spokesman Shmuel Ben-Ruby saidThursday that police have reported all the goings-on at the site to the political echelon.
Me: Write the Knesset, your Senator and Congressman! This desecration has to end. Please pass this on.
January 12, 2005
Is Israel ready for a King?
The Sanhedrin is looking for a scion of David.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1105418785934
Interesting. Jews have not had great sucess with Kings in the past save David and Solomon. But the Messiah will be an offspring of David. What are your thoughts?
My wife's family actually has a "shtar yichus" (family tree with all names) going back to King David (too bad it's through her grandmother!)
Ps. Thanks to HasidicGentile (http://www.hasidicgentile.org) for alerting us to this article.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1105418785934
Interesting. Jews have not had great sucess with Kings in the past save David and Solomon. But the Messiah will be an offspring of David. What are your thoughts?
My wife's family actually has a "shtar yichus" (family tree with all names) going back to King David (too bad it's through her grandmother!)
Ps. Thanks to HasidicGentile (http://www.hasidicgentile.org) for alerting us to this article.
January 11, 2005
Happy Rosh Chodesh Shevat
In honor of Rosh Chodesh, which is dependant of the lunar calendar, I have added the infamous "Daily Moon Phases Module" to the side bar.
To learn more about Rosh Chodesh, please check out the following: http://www.jewfaq.org/chodesh.htm
http://www.ou.org/chagim/roshchodesh/default.htm
An interesting article on Rosh Chodesh and women can be found here:
http://www.myjewishlearning.com/holidays/About_Jewish_Holidays/Rosh_Chodesh/Women_Rosh_Chodesh.htm
Mah pitom? We have to shlep all the way from Tel Aviv?
"Roc rega, Yossi. You mean we're not fighting for seedless watermelons, cell phones and discos?"
From Arutz Sheva
A new regulation set by IDF Armory Commander, Colonel Ehud David, stipulates that every soldier under his command is to be brought on a visit to the Kotel, the Western Wall.
See it here: http://www.arutzsheva.com/news.php3?id=75135
From Arutz Sheva
A new regulation set by IDF Armory Commander, Colonel Ehud David, stipulates that every soldier under his command is to be brought on a visit to the Kotel, the Western Wall.
See it here: http://www.arutzsheva.com/news.php3?id=75135
Judaism in the Jewish State? How novel.
"But Yossi, what about the disco? The DISCO?"
Sabbath-Observers Become an Economic Force
from Arutz Sheva
Thousands gathered in Tel Aviv last night in a campaign to "strengthen Sabbath in Israel." Leading rabbis took part in the event, organized by ex-champion and businessman Rabbi Rafael Halperin.
For the full story: http://www.arutzsheva.com/news.php3?id=75128
Sabbath-Observers Become an Economic Force
from Arutz Sheva
Thousands gathered in Tel Aviv last night in a campaign to "strengthen Sabbath in Israel." Leading rabbis took part in the event, organized by ex-champion and businessman Rabbi Rafael Halperin.
For the full story: http://www.arutzsheva.com/news.php3?id=75128
January 10, 2005
Temple Illustarted Tour Update
The Temple Institute has updated their "Illustrated Tour of the Holy Temple."
From their site:
The tour will take you through the entire Temple Mount complex, as it existed during the time of the Second Temple, providing a comprehensive description of all the various walls and gates, plazas, chambers and courtyards, and the inner sanctum of the Holy Temple itself. Our new installment takes you inside the inner courtyards at the Holy Temple, where the altar stood and the offerings where made to the Creator of the World. The tour is being presented in weekly installments, which will be added over the coming weeks. We will be informing all newsletter subscribers of each new installment.
To take the tour, click here: http://templeinstitute.org/illustrated_tour.htm
From their site:
The tour will take you through the entire Temple Mount complex, as it existed during the time of the Second Temple, providing a comprehensive description of all the various walls and gates, plazas, chambers and courtyards, and the inner sanctum of the Holy Temple itself. Our new installment takes you inside the inner courtyards at the Holy Temple, where the altar stood and the offerings where made to the Creator of the World. The tour is being presented in weekly installments, which will be added over the coming weeks. We will be informing all newsletter subscribers of each new installment.
To take the tour, click here: http://templeinstitute.org/illustrated_tour.htm
The Gedolim Speak
From Arutz Sheva:
A joint assembly of rabbis from both the hareidi and national-religious sectors declared Sunday night that the entire Land of Israel belongs to G-d and the Jewish People, and not to the government.
"No one in the world has the right to cede the Jewish People's right to any part of the Land," ex-Chief Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu declared, "and such a move must be fought."
The rabbis, meeting in Tel Aviv, sharply condemned the United Torah Judaism party for joining the coalition government. "This act was against the majority of the Torah leaders in Israel," the rabbis resolved, "and leads directly to an endangerment of the entire populace of Israel."
Among the dozens of rabbis in attendance were the Admor of Sadigura, a member of the Council of Torah Sages headed by Rabbi Elyashiv; Kiryat Arba Rabbi Dov Lior; Kiryat Motzkin Rabbi David Druckman; and Rabbi Meir Mazuz of Yeshivat Kisei Rachamim in Bnei Brak. Another Council of Torah Sages member, the Bostoner Rebbe, sent a sharp letter of support for their position to be read aloud.
Rabbi Mazuz said, "This disengagement story is our tsunami." He emphasized the "ungrateful" behavior of Sharon towards the nation in general and the Yesha residents in particular, and recalled that the Lubavitcher Rebbe saved Sharon's life by advising him not to travel in a helicopter that crashed. Rabbi Mazuz did not mention that the Rebbe once advised Sharon not to enter politics altogether.
Rabbi Lior said, "This [disengagement] plan is a danger to the very existence of the State. It is unprecedented. The rabbis must exude special spiritual strength to deal with this very difficult situation." He noted that this spiritual strength has been shown by the residents of Yesha, and especially of Gush Katif, "and this is one of today's miracles."
Rabbi Simcha HaCohen Kook, Chief Rabbi of Rehovot (pictured above; a grand-nephew of the saintly Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Kook), said that he visited Rabbi Elyashiv on Friday, after his decision to allow the UTJ party to join the coalition. Rabbi Kook said that "wheeler-dealers" misled Rabbi Elyashiv by telling him that Sharon has a majority even without UTJ, which wasn't true. Rabbi Kook added that most of the leading Torah authorities were against the decision.
Among the rabbis' resolutions were:
* We sadly determine that the Prime Minister is causing a terrible civil war, the end of which cannot be foretold.
* We call upon all the leaders of world Jewry, led by the Rabbis of Israel, to express their clear protest, echoing from one end of the world to the other, in light of the evil behavior of the Israeli government and its head.
* We will not refrain from expressing our protest and great astonishment at the strengthening of this wicked government by G-d-fearing Jews against the opinion of the clear majority of the leading rabbis of Israel. * We call upon our brothers and all of the Torah giants to help bodily, monetarily and spiritually the residents of Yesha who face the decree of evacuation.
A joint assembly of rabbis from both the hareidi and national-religious sectors declared Sunday night that the entire Land of Israel belongs to G-d and the Jewish People, and not to the government.
"No one in the world has the right to cede the Jewish People's right to any part of the Land," ex-Chief Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu declared, "and such a move must be fought."
The rabbis, meeting in Tel Aviv, sharply condemned the United Torah Judaism party for joining the coalition government. "This act was against the majority of the Torah leaders in Israel," the rabbis resolved, "and leads directly to an endangerment of the entire populace of Israel."
Among the dozens of rabbis in attendance were the Admor of Sadigura, a member of the Council of Torah Sages headed by Rabbi Elyashiv; Kiryat Arba Rabbi Dov Lior; Kiryat Motzkin Rabbi David Druckman; and Rabbi Meir Mazuz of Yeshivat Kisei Rachamim in Bnei Brak. Another Council of Torah Sages member, the Bostoner Rebbe, sent a sharp letter of support for their position to be read aloud.
Rabbi Mazuz said, "This disengagement story is our tsunami." He emphasized the "ungrateful" behavior of Sharon towards the nation in general and the Yesha residents in particular, and recalled that the Lubavitcher Rebbe saved Sharon's life by advising him not to travel in a helicopter that crashed. Rabbi Mazuz did not mention that the Rebbe once advised Sharon not to enter politics altogether.
Rabbi Lior said, "This [disengagement] plan is a danger to the very existence of the State. It is unprecedented. The rabbis must exude special spiritual strength to deal with this very difficult situation." He noted that this spiritual strength has been shown by the residents of Yesha, and especially of Gush Katif, "and this is one of today's miracles."
Rabbi Simcha HaCohen Kook, Chief Rabbi of Rehovot (pictured above; a grand-nephew of the saintly Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Kook), said that he visited Rabbi Elyashiv on Friday, after his decision to allow the UTJ party to join the coalition. Rabbi Kook said that "wheeler-dealers" misled Rabbi Elyashiv by telling him that Sharon has a majority even without UTJ, which wasn't true. Rabbi Kook added that most of the leading Torah authorities were against the decision.
Among the rabbis' resolutions were:
* We sadly determine that the Prime Minister is causing a terrible civil war, the end of which cannot be foretold.
* We call upon all the leaders of world Jewry, led by the Rabbis of Israel, to express their clear protest, echoing from one end of the world to the other, in light of the evil behavior of the Israeli government and its head.
* We will not refrain from expressing our protest and great astonishment at the strengthening of this wicked government by G-d-fearing Jews against the opinion of the clear majority of the leading rabbis of Israel. * We call upon our brothers and all of the Torah giants to help bodily, monetarily and spiritually the residents of Yesha who face the decree of evacuation.
January 09, 2005
January 07, 2005
Famous Kohanim
“And it shall be to him and to his descendants after him a covenant of everlasting Kehuna/Priesthood.” (Numbers 25:13)
“For God your God has chosen him of all your tribes to stand and serve with the name of God he and his sons forever.” (Deuteronomy 18:5)
I wanted to have a post to list all of the famous Kohanim throughout history even to today. Please add to it by posting.
Aaron
Pinchas
Eli (book of Samuel)
Tzadok
the Prophet Ezekiel
The Chafetz Chaim
Rabbi Chaim Soloveitchik
Rav Kook
Rabbi Meir Kahane
This is just to start us off. Add some more!
“For God your God has chosen him of all your tribes to stand and serve with the name of God he and his sons forever.” (Deuteronomy 18:5)
I wanted to have a post to list all of the famous Kohanim throughout history even to today. Please add to it by posting.
Aaron
Pinchas
Eli (book of Samuel)
Tzadok
the Prophet Ezekiel
The Chafetz Chaim
Rabbi Chaim Soloveitchik
Rav Kook
Rabbi Meir Kahane
This is just to start us off. Add some more!
January 06, 2005
My Grandfather (Z"L)
I never knew my grandfather. He died almost twenty years before I was born.
My wife took this picture of his grave (as Kohanim are not allowed to go near a dead body). There is a special comfort in knowing that although I never net him, he left me with a lineage and a legacy.
Anyhow, I thought this was cool.
January 05, 2005
Kavanos during Duchaning (Blessing the Congregation)
Most Kohanim are unaware that there are specific kavanos (concentrations) one should have while duchaning (blessing). I personally follow the kavanos of the Amudei Shamayim which is as follows:
Yivarechicha Hashem - May Hashem increase your children and your posessions
V'Yishmarecha - and protect them from harm
Ya'er Hashem Panav Eilecha - May Hashem brighten his angry countenance thereby changing his attribute of Judgement to Mercy
V'chuneka - And favor you, even if you are unworthy
Yisa Hashem Panav Eilecha - May Hashem act favorably toward you
V'yasem Licha Shalom - And grant you Peace (the only vessel capable of containing unlimited Blessing).
Credit: ArtScroll's "Bircas Kohanim"
There are many Kohanim and Jews who also don't know that the congregants MUST be in front of the Kohanim to recieve the blessing. I make sure that I am standing closest to the Woman's section so that when I wave my hands I am including them as well.
When I duchan I really try an feel an intense love for all the congregation as well as the entire house of Israel. I try and really open up my heart and forgive all those who may have wronged me.
KOHANIM: Please post and tell us your minhag on how you hold your hands and what your custom is for duchaning.
January 04, 2005
The Temple Mount Center
Just found this site. Poor English and some of the graphics don't load. Give it a spin: http://www.hamikdash.com/index.html
January 03, 2005
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