As the Three Weeks begin, Rabbi Nachman Sanowicz of Crown Heights, who teaches a daily Beis Hamikdash shiur in Empire Shteibel, is launching a new 51-part video series dedicated to learning the details of the Third Beis Hamikdash, following the Rebbe’s directive, first launched nearly 50 years ago, to intensify this study during the Three Weeks.

In that campaign, the Rebbe encouraged every Yid to set aside time during the Three Weeks to study the Beis Hamikdash through the pesukim of Yechezkel, Mishnayos Maseches Middos, and the Rambam’s Hilchos Beis Habechirah.

The Rebbe based this directive on the Midrash describing a conversation between Hashem and Yechezkel Hanavi. After the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash, Hashem instructed Yechezkel to teach the Yidden about the future Beis Hamikdash, including its form, structure, entrances, exits, and measurements. Yechezkel questioned the purpose of teaching these details while the Yidden remained in golus.

Hashem replied: “Just because My children are in golus, the building of the Beis Hamikdash should be canceled? Teach them the form of the Beis Hamikdash, and when they study it, I will consider it as though they are actually building it.”

The Rebbe explained that the same applies today. Although we do not yet have a physical Beis Hamikdash, learning its halachos is considered by Hashem as if we are actively building it.

Rooted in Yechezkel’s nevuah, Rabbi Sanowicz’s new series begins with the pesukim describing the future Beis Hamikdash before moving into a detailed, piece-by-piece explanation of its structure, form, entrances, exits, chambers, and overall design. Throughout the series, physical illustrations and 3D models will accompany the learning.

“A picture is worth a thousand words,” Rabbi Sanowicz explains, noting that visualizing the Beis Hamikdash makes the intricate descriptions far easier to understand and internalize.

The series also addresses a common question: Why study the measurements of the Beis Hamikdash if the Third Beis Hamikdash may differ in certain details?

“The foundational blueprints given by Hashem to Dovid Hamelech and transmitted through the neviim, including Yechezkel, remain unchanged,” Rabbi Sanowicz explains. “Any future additions or deeper meanings will become clear the moment Moshiach arrives and opens our eyes.”

The shiurim follow a carefully planned approach. The opening lessons first establish the historical progression from the Mishkan in the Midbar through Shiloh, Nov, and Givon, leading to the permanent Beis Hamikdash in Yerushalayim. Later in the series, every architectural feature described by Yechezkel is revisited in depth, with each individual section explained carefully and systematically.

“The goal is to learn the exact measurements so that we come to know how to do it,” Rabbi Sanowicz says, describing the series as practical preparation for the physical construction of the Third Beis Hamikdash, “which will never be destroyed.”

Standing on the threshold of the Geulah, he says, this learning is not merely an abstract intellectual exercise. It is immediate preparation for the rebuilding of the Third Beis Hamikdash, may it take place speedily in our days.

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