The Third Temple: Why Aren't We Building Yet?

Nearly 2,000 years ago, in the year 70 CE, the Second Temple was destroyed, and the Jewish people were exiled from their land. We wandered through various countries, often persecuted, but against all odds, we survived. Just as the sources predicted, we eventually returned to our homeland after nearly 2,000 years. This unprecedented historical return saw us establish a modern state, considered by many as the "beginning of redemption." One of the final steps to complete this redemption—in addition to the coming of the Messiah—is the building of the Third Temple.

With today's advanced construction technology, it's technically feasible to rebuild the Temple, perhaps even more majestically than the original. So, what are we waiting for? Why do we continue to mourn its destruction, especially during the period of the Three Weeks and on Tisha B'Av, rather than rebuild?

"The Temple was not only an architectural marvel," says Rabbi Eli Omer, "it was also a place where the Divine Presence rested. Hashem was the architect of this sacred house. He dictated the details, which are listed in the Tanakh. The entire system was designed for a high spiritual purpose. When the people of Israel were worthy, the Divine Presence was in the Temple; when they were not, it left. When Titus destroyed the Temple, it was already devoid of the Divine Presence. A heavenly voice proclaimed, 'You have destroyed a ruined house.' In essence, only stones were destroyed, as the Divine Presence was no longer there."

If we build the Temple today, will it just be a structure with no sanctity?
"Correct. Even if we build the Third Temple, it won't help. If our deeds are worthy, Hashem will bring down the Temple ready from the heavens. That's why we weep on Tisha B'Av each year—not for a building, since buildings can always be reconstructed, but because each of us has a spiritual block today. It's much harder to connect with Hashem than it used to be. In the past, even King Solomon said that anyone who prayed in the Temple—Jew or non-Jew—would be heard by Hashem. Today, one's prayers might not always be heard and accepted. The Talmud states that since the Temple’s destruction, a barrier of iron separates Israel from their Father in heaven. This indicates a spiritual impediment created by the absence of the Temple. Thus, merely constructing the Temple won’t suffice, as we seek to unlock the spiritual aspect. Up until now, we evidently haven't achieved this."

There have been a few small-scale, insignificant attempts to rebuild the Temple over the years.
"I’m not familiar with the details, but in the Zohar (Part III, Tractate Kesubos), it is told that a wise non-Jew argued with Rabbi Eliezer that Hashem would no longer build the Temple. Rabbi Eliezer responded: The Third Temple will be built only by Hashem. That's why we say in Tehillim, 'Hashem builds Jerusalem.' The Zohar claims that the intent was for Hashem to build even the First Temple, but due to the people's sins, Solomon built it. Even before that, King David wrote in Tehillim, 'Unless Hashem builds the house, its builders labor in vain.' The Third Temple will never be destroyed, as it is destined to be built only by Hashem. Humans can't create such a spiritual framework."

And when the Temple is built, how will it change our lives?
"It's hard to fully grasp, similar to asking a blind person how life would change after a surgery restores their sight. The spiritual system and heights one can reach will be limitless. The soul will expand in its divine potential, and the connection between a person and Hashem will be stronger and more fluid. We will better understand and communicate with Hashem.
"Today, we are spiritually blocked. Ideally, humans could understand the conversations of birds and animals. We should be able to perceive messages at a much higher level. The ideal human would be able to sense spiritual states of others and see from one end of the world to the other. Today, we see only to the wall, understand only languages we know, and smell within a limited range. Our system is underutilized in realizing human potential. With redemption, there will be a spiritual awakening that will also bring a significant physical transformation."