The Temple and How it Operated Part Two |

In the last post we were looking at Ezekiel 43 and the command to measure/know the Temple. Below are some of the comments made by different scholars through the ages. Note that it was believed that a model of the Temple was to be built preceding the actual re-building of the Temple. That whoever would see this model would see the Coming of the Mashiach and the resurrection of the righteous. Let them measure its plan – Let them make measurements through you, for you will show the measurements of the building plan. – [Addendum to Rashi] They will measure the design of the form of the House which you will show them, and they will understand it is a sign that they will yet rebuild the Temple in the future when the Redeemer comes and the dead are resurrected. They will understand it as a sign that those who see this form will be alive when the Temple is rebuilt in the future, and this is proof of the resurrection of the dead. – [Redak] The Book of Ezekiel,  Volume Two, A New Translation of the Text, Rashi and a Commentary Digest., Rabbi A.J. Rosenberg, The Judaica Press, New York, 1991, Pg. 381.    וּמָדְד֖וּ אֶת־תָּכְנִֽית    – And measure the design. From Redak it seems they were to make a three-dimensional model to symbolize that eventually they would build the actual Temple. Tosafos Yom Tov in his Introduction to Tzuras HaBayis also maintains that the people were expected to make a model of the Temple. He deduces this from the seemingly redundant word  צֽוּרֹתָ֡ו  , literally its forms, in verse 11. Yechezkel. The Book of Ezekiel / A New Translation with a Commentary Anthologized From Talmudic, Midrashic, and Rabbinic Sources, Translation and Commentary by Rabbi Moshe Eisermann, Mesorah Publications, ltd., Brooklyn, New York, 2003. Pgs. 672-673. And if they be ashamed of all that they have done, make known unto them the form of the house, and the fashion thereof, and the goings out thereof, and the comings in thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the laws thereof, and write it in their sight; that they may keep the whole form thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and do them. (Eze 43:11 JPS) Look at how this was translated in the Septuagint.

And they shall bear their punishment for all the things that they have done: and thou shalt describe the house, and its entrances, and the plan thereof, and all its ordinances, and thou shalt make known to them all the regulations of it, and describe them before them: and they shall keep all my commandments, and all my ordinances, and do them. (Eze 43:11 LXE).

And another translation of the Tanach.

When they are ashamed of all they have done, make known to them the plan of the Temple and its layout, its exits and entrances — its entire plan, and all the laws and instructions pertaining to its entire plan. Write it down before their eyes, that they may faithfully follow its entire plan and all its laws. (Eze 43:11 TNK)

The Targum on this passage gives an interesting addition:

And if they humble themselves for all they have done when they see it, then make known to them and write down before their eyes, the form of the Temple and its design, and its exits and entrances, and its entire form, all of its ordinances, and its entire framework, and everything to which it is entitled; and write it down before their eyes, that they may observe all of its framework and all of its regulations, and perform them. Targum on Ezekiel 43.11.

The Targum of Ezekiel, Translated with a Critical Introduction, Apparatus and Notes, Samson H. Levy; The Liturgical Press, Collegeville, Minnesota, 1987. Pg. 117.

The addition to what we see in the Tanach and Septuagint is the phrase ‘and everything to which it is entitled.’

The bottom line of this passage through all the translations and commentaries is that we are to know basically everything about the Temple and anything that would even remotely relate to it. This would be the floorplan and layout of all of its buildings, gates, chambers, courtyards, furniture, vessels, etc. We should know the daily services, festival services, special services (such as the Parah Adumah- Red Heifer, Sotah -a woman accused of adultery, metzora – someone healed of tzaraat – Biblical leprosy, etc.). We must know all the laws that must be performed before the Ohel Moed (Tent of Meeting), the korbanot – offerings, music and how it was performed, administration, court proceedings, and many more  items.

So where do we begin?

Just a few thoughts on a beginning.

1. To learn the history and progression of the Temple – From the Mishkan (Tabernacle) in the Wilderness, The Mishkan across the Jordan, The First Temple, The Second Temple in its three stages (Ezra/ Zerubbabel, Hasmonean, Herodian) and the Coming Ezekiel Temple.

2. To learn the layout of each of these stages – knowing its courtyards, buildings, gates and entrances. Along with this you must factor in was this layout functional and within the guidelines of halachah.

I would not attempt to understand ceremonies until these two perquisites have somewhat been mastered. Understand that there is a difference in studying how a ceremony was performed and interpreting the meaning of ceremonies. In order to understand how the Temple functioned and to try a layout the ceremonies must be put into the equation. The danger is that everyone wants to interpret everything about the Temple before they know what they are talking about.

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The Temple and How it Operated Part Two

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