The Day the Temple Was Almost Built – What Happened There?
The Jews tried their hardest to do the work: they dug foundations and laid a cornerstone. On May 19th, the 18th of Iyar, the construction of the Temple began with songs, praise, and dancing.
- יהוסף יעבץ
- פורסם ל' כסלו התשפ"ה
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"The God of the Jews is truly and sincerely unmatched in strength and goodness, and rules this world; we all, as I well know, serve Him, even if we call Him by other names," wrote the Roman Emperor. It was Emperor Julian, a writer, philosopher, and author of many books. Christians called him "Julian the Apostate" because he persecuted Christianity, outlawed it, and even wrote a book against it. The book is called "Against the Galileans" (as the Christians' messiah was from Nazareth in the Galilee).
In 361, Constantius II died amid great battles against the Germans. He died of exhaustion, and with his last strength, declared his desire for Julian to take his place. Until then, Julian was the ruler of Gaul (modern-day France). He earned his place as emperor due to a brilliant battle he led in Strasbourg (then called Argentoratum) against the Alamanni tribes (Germans). Through a genius military maneuver, he defeated the Alamanni and became a hero crowned with glory.
His uncle, Constantine the Great, spread Christianity throughout the empire, and Julian tried to halt the process. As a young boy, he was almost executed for heresy against Christianity. His family's status as the emperor's nephew saved him, and he led a double life: outwardly living as a Christian, while secretly studying Greek philosophy.
As soon as he ascended to the throne, he dedicated all his energy to fighting Christianity. First, he executed a large part of the imperial court in Constantinople, and then he convened intellectuals to discuss sacrifices. Christianity claimed that the Creator does not desire sacrifices, while all others believed He does. What was their opinion? After intense discussion, all agreed the Creator does desire sacrifices, and that Christians were wrong. He enacted a law prohibiting Christians from being teachers in schools across the empire, as they preach that the Creator does not want sacrifices.
Julian moved the imperial palace from Constantinople, a Christian city, to Antioch, but found there a large community of Christians. While he glorified the Roman gods' temples, a mysterious fire broke out and damaged them. Julian reacted with anger, closed all the churches in the city, and severely punished the Christians.
In his debates with Christians, they claimed the proof of their religion's truth is that their messiah supposedly prophesied that the Jews' Temple would be destroyed, and no sacrifices would be offered there again. Julian asked the Jews of Antioch if it was true they do not wish to offer sacrifices, to which they replied they long for it with all their hearts, but since Emperor Titus's time, they have not had access to Jerusalem, and would be thrilled to return and build the Temple. So Julian responded: I command you to build the Temple. Julian sent letters to the officials in Judea and President Hillel II detailing his plan on how to build the Temple, with a special budget from the Roman treasury.
The Jews were sure the footsteps of the Messiah were drawing near, and with all their might, they endeavored to do the work: they dug foundations and laid a cornerstone. On May 19th, the 18th of Iyar, the construction of the Temple began with songs, praise, and dancing. Some say even the Amora Rabbi Acha, who lived in Israel, blessed it. But suddenly, a satanic event, an earthquake, shook all of Israel. The Jewish builders of the Temple fled in great fear, and the emperor never revisited his plan. This day has been set as a fast day since then, and Rabbi Acha said: 'Blessed is He who has removed Julian's disgrace.'
That same month, Julian set out to war against the Persians. He wanted to defeat King Shapur (referred to in the Talmud as "Shvor Malka"). The Roman soldiers went to the royal city of Ctesiphon, and it was discovered that no one brought the siege equipment... Julian wandered along the Tigris River. On June 26th, the Persians launched a surprise attack. Julian left his tent to organize a defense but forgot to wear armor. A spear struck him, and he died within a few hours. Christians said a Christian soldier from within the army threw the spear. One way or another, with Julian's death, Christianity regained control over Rome, and the Jews lost hope of returning to Jerusalem as long as the Christians ruled it.