Minchat Chinuch,-Mitzva 95 : We need to Know How to Construct the Temple Vessels

[edu]

Minchat Chinuch, on Mitzva 95 : We need to Know How to Construct the Temple Vessels

Now behold Rambam here in chapter 3 wrote about the structure of the Menora very clearly, and also the structure of the Showbread Table, and regarding the structure of the incense altar, he is somewhat brief, and he also wrote a bit on the structure of the Kiyor {Laver}, see there. Yet regarding the structure of the ark he did not write anything at all. And it is obvious that all these vessels were all the time different, for in the Second Temple, they did not have vessels from the First Temple, and in the days of the Hasmoneans all the vessels that were there were lost as explained in Menachot 28b that they first made the Menora out of iron, then they became richer, etc. If so we have to know the laws. And even today it is possible that if the Kingdoms will give us permission to build the Temple, it is a mitzvah to build, as explained in the Midrash [Breishit Rabba] that in the days of Rabbi Yehoshua the son of Chanania they gave permission and they started to build, and see also the book Capot Temarim that Rabbeinu Yechiel, one of the masters of Tosafot, wanted to go and offer sacrifices in Jerusalem; if so this rule applies also to the building of the Temple

{end of translated quotation}.

A few sentences later, Minchat Chinuch deals with the question, is this true for the ark, because we know that in the 2nd Temple they did not make a new ark to replace the ark that was hidden away during the time of the First Temple. I will leave aside that discussion for now.

[muman613]

Yes, and I am sure you are aware that the Temple Institute has fashioned some of the vessels of the Temple, in hopes they will be used in the Third Temple.

http://www.templeinstitute.org/vessels_gallery.htm

The sacred vessels and vestments, their purpose, their nature, and the specific dimensions and materials from which they are to be made, were all related to Moses by G-d, at Mount Sinai. The construction of the vessels and the priestly garments was overseen by Betzalel, a master craftsman, chosen by G-d to fulfill this task, as it is said: "And the L-rd spoke unto Moses, saying: 'See, I have called by name Betzalel, the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; and I have filled him with the spirit of G-d, in wisdom and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, to devise skilfull works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, and in cutting of stones for setting, and in carving of wood, to work in all manner of workmanship.'"(Exodus 31:1-5) Assisted by Ohaliab the son of Ahisamach, Betzalel oversaw the construction of the tabernacle, and of the vessels used in the worship, and the garments worn by the priests, and the high priest. Betzalel assembled a team of craftsmen and artisans for this purpose.

The Temple Institute has likewise called upon Israel's finest craftsmen and artisans, and enlisted them in the historical task of recreating the sacred vessels and vestments. Every vessel produced by the Temple Institute is done in acccordance with the precise instructions that were first handed down by G-d to Moses. The vessels you are about to view are all fit and ready for use in the Holy Third Temple, may it be built speedily, and in our days!

Some examples from the Temple Institute Website

http://www.templeinstitute.org/vessels_gallery_a1.htm

Copper Laver

http://www.templeinstitute.org/vessels_gallery_4.htm

Silver Shovel

[cjd]

Some years ago I came across a very nice CD that was put out by the Temple Institute... It showed a nice video of the work it was doing to rebuild the third temple... It also showed a tour of the tunnel system under the temple mount... They actually have the items in the pictures above on display with concept models of the rebuilding of the temple itself.