Lead Tidbit

Make for Me a Mikdash...

Build the Mikdash

Discussion on the actual mitzva of building a Mikdash - especially as to how it applies to us today, will be presented inside. Here (on this front page), together with a photo of a magnificent model of the Beit HaMikdash by Catriel Sugarman, is a thought shared with Torah Tidbits by HaRav Nachman Kahana:
The Mikdash consists of a Kodshei Kodashim (Holy of Holies) essentially hidden within. Outside that is the Heichal or the Kodesh, with its main furnishings - the Menorah, the Golden Incense Mizbei’ach, and the Shulchan with its Lechem HaPanim. Outside that is the Kiyor (washing basin and stand) and the large Mizbei’ach on which its fires consumed the korbanot.

The human being - each of us - has a holy of holies, in innermost organ that is as private and impenetrable as its counterpart in the Mikdash - the brain. Outside the brain are the eyes, which correspond to the Menorah and its light, the nose, corresponding to the fragrant incense altar, and the mouth, corresponding to the Table with the Showbread. Outside the head (so to speak) into the body’s courtyard, are the arms and legs - corresponding to the Kiyor from which the kohanim washed their hands and feet and the intestines where digestion takes place is like the Mizbei’ach. To the left of the Mizbei’ach (when emerging from the Heichal) is the northern area of the Courtyard, where the holiest of korbanot are brought. In us, that’s where our heart is.
Each of us is a miniature Mikdash. It behooves us to act accordingly.

This lovely D’var Torah is from Rabbi Nachman Kahana about each Jew being a Mikdash.

The beautiful song BILVAVI based on the words of the author of Sefer Chareidim (who composed YEDID NEFESH) speaks of making a Mishkan in one’s heart and sacrificing and dedicating one’s unique soul on the Mizbei’ach of the heart.

Rabbi Weinreb in his article speaks of the Mikdash that is our shul and the Mikdash that is our Jewish home.

According to the title of Rabbi Binyamin Wolff’s Shabbat afternoon shiur, it seems that he too will be presenting the Mikdash in a similar way to the above.
All very nice. Beautiful thoughts. Each one a gem with something for each of us to learn.

BUT MAKE NO MISTAKE! None of the above is the definition of the mitzva to Make a Mikdash. None of the above is a substitute for the actual building of the Third Beit HaMikdash.

Not a virtual Mikdash. Not a metaphysical Mikdash. A real, solid, tangible building with real furnishings. And real AVODA performed by real kohanim… etc. etc. etc.

Will the third Mikdash descend in fire from the heavens or will it be built by people? Good question. One we don’t have to worry about at this point.
Chizuk & Idud this week, by Rabbi Moishe Lichtman, brings up the practical question about the Chinuch’s contention that the mitzva to build the Mikdash applies when the majority of the Jews of the world live in Eretz Yisrael. We are not yet at that point; but we’re getting close. Also, not of issue for this Lead Tidbit.

So what is the point here? Maybe we’ve got two things to say.

One: We have to want the Third Beit HaMikdash. We have to feel incomplete as Jews without it and we have to long for its rebuilding, so that we can become more complete.

Still with “one”, we have to prepare for the Mikdash. We have to learn about the Mikdash and its Avoda. We have to do our share at fashioning vessels for its use - as the Temple Institute in the Old City does. We have to learn from them and other institutes like them.

The only things that should impede us from realizing this dream, hope, and prayer are the things that are beyond our control or knowledge. Anything - every- thing - that we can do, we should be doing.

And now we get to “two”.

The mitzva as presented towards the beginning of the sedra is, V’ASU LI MIK- DASH V’SHACHANTI B’TOCHAM. We all know the DRASH on this verse: They shall make a Sanctuary for Me - so that I may dwell among them. And if we look at the last pasuk in the haftara for Parshat T’ruma, we find the perfect companion to V’SHACHANTI B’TOCHAM - G-d says, I will dwell among the Children of Israel, and I shall not forsake My people Israel. That’s perfect. BUT…
But back up a couple of p’sukim in the passage from Melachim Alef that is the haftara for T’ruma.

“The Word of G-d came to Shlomo, saying: This Temple that you build - IF you follow My decrees, perform My statutes, and observe all of My commandments to follow them, THEN I shall uphold My word with you that I spoke to David your father.”

And what was that promise? The last pasuk summarizes it: (we’ll quote it again) “I will dwell among the Children of Israel, and I shall not forsake My people Israel.”

A reading of Tanach and the subsequent history of the Jewish People will indicate that we didn’t do so well at keeping our side of the deal.

But, beware! The repeated reproach and warnings of the Prophets, “reminding” us that G-d does not want our hollow korbanot, etc. has resulted in a turn- about: We will strive to live Torah lives and we don’t need the Beit HaMikdash or its Avoda.

Not quite. The correct response to the words of the Nevi’im is that we will live Torah lives and put the spirit of Torah life back into those hollow korbanot that G-d so despises. We will keep G-d’s conditions for His dwelling among us, so that the final pasuk will come to fruition: G-d will dwell among the Children of Israel and He will not forsake His people Israel.

With our efforts and G-d’s help, may we see the fulfillment of V’asu Li Mikdash BIMHEIRA B’YAMEINU AMEIN.

• Other Lead Tidbit
• The Middle Matza
• When will we learn?!?
• A Brief Look Back at Chanuka