Watch: Rabbi Mendel Blau’s presentation at the National Jewish Retreat dives into the history and Halachah of the Temple Mount and the exact location of the Beis Hamikdash.
During the Three Weeks, we mourn the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash and spend time considering the imperfect state of the world and the ways we can bring goodness into it with more learning and mitzvos.
The Rebbe guided us to focus on the positive aspect of this time. In particular, the Rebbe urged us to study the Halachos of the Beis Hamikdash. The Midrash Tanchuma tells us that “studying the design of the Beis Hamikdash as the Torah details it is comparable to its actual construction.” Standing as we do on the verge of redemption, practical knowledge of the Beis Hamikdash’s Halachos is essential.
But should we be building the Beis Hamikdash right now? This was just one dilemma the Jewish people faced in 1967 when the Israeli Defense Forces regained control of the Temple Mount. Even more pressing, where exactly is the Beis Hamikdash meant to be located? It’s a practical question that affects tour groups and anyone who wants to visit the Temple Mount. Where exactly are we allowed to set foot, and where not?
Presenting at JLI’s 14th annual National Jewish Retreat, Rabbi Mendel Blau, Oholei Torah’s Menahel Roshi, addressed these timely questions in a fascinating deep dive into the history, significance, and exact location of the Temple Mount.
When it comes to this topic, nothing is as simple as it seems. So sit back and let Rabbi Blau demystify the debate about where precisely the Beis Hamikdash stood and guide you through the halachic nuances you need to know before you daven at the Western Wall and set foot on earth’s holiest site.
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