Did You Know the Cherubim in the Temple Were Six Meters Tall? And the Temple Mount Will Span Over a Kilometer and a Half?

Anyone who has visited the 'Mini Israel' park in Latrun in recent months has likely encountered the large tent there containing a stunning model of the Temple, accompanied by holy vessels. Not everyone knows, but the man behind the creation of this unique model is Rabbi Menachem Makover, head of the Temple Knowledge Institute, dedicating his time and energy to raising awareness on the subject. The model created by one of his students is just one of the ways he uses to achieve this. "Our goal is not just to have people hear about the Temple but to anticipate it," he clarifies, "and anticipation can only be stirred by adding knowledge and understanding, to help comprehend what the Temple looked like and what it will contain when it is built."

The Goal: Raising Awareness

Makover's unique involvement with the subject began about 30 years ago. "Until then, I was like many others—very distant from the topic of the Temple," he notes, "It didn't catch my interest in any way and didn't occupy me at all. Then, almost as if from heaven, I was supposed to give a lesson in a third-grade class and needed to teach the book of Kings. As part of the preparation, I studied the chapters describing how King Solomon built the Temple, read the descriptions of the giant cherubim within the Holy of Holies, and discovered for the first time that they stood ten cubits high, which means six meters. This was just one detail I came across that I didn't know before, and it struck me extraordinarily. Suddenly, I realized how far I was from everything related to the construction of the Temple, and how it didn't really occupy a part of my life."

Makover notes that at that time, he did not know this was the starting point of his life's project. "Hashem led me directly to engage in this field. He connected me to the subject of the Temple, and from there I began to learn and research the topic. Initially, this was through studying at a kollel in the Old City related to the Temple Institute, where I delved into the subject, and later through other means."

But he didn't stop there, as he believes it's important for every Jew to be familiar with the subject and close to it. This is also the reason he has led the Temple Institute for years, and in recent years, he heads a school dedicated to the subject, offering a variety of educational and learning activities. "We operate in schools and Torah institutions, with adults and young people, reaching the entire country with many booklets, exhibitions, workshops, and study days," he details, "Every year, we reach tens of thousands of people."

Why do you think it is so important for people to become familiar with the subject?

"First of all, for the simple reason: every Jew should know the entire Torah, and the subject of the Temple is very central in the Torah, with more than a third of the commandments we fulfill related to it. The Torah also dedicates a huge volume to everything touching this subject. There are five portions in the book of Deuteronomy dealing with the Tabernacle, as well as the book of Leviticus, which deals almost entirely with the sacrificial service. As is known, our daily prayer replaces the sacrifices, as it is said, 'We will repay the bulls of our lips' – this is a subject worth connecting to."

"Beyond that, think about it – when we long for the Temple, research it, and anticipate it, we show Hashem how much we desire its construction, and this draws us closer to it. This is also why we have fasts, not just to remember the Temple we had, but also to demand and inquire about it, to show interest in it and arouse our anticipation for its reconstruction. These fasts should inspire us in this regard."

Continuing to Prepare

Rabbi Makover emphasizes that most existing books on the Temple discuss the Second Temple, but the activities they offer mainly deal with the Third Temple. "This is our vision and what we must prepare ourselves for. This is the house that will be built in our time, with the help of Hashem, and will accompany us forever. Not everyone knows, but the Third Temple is expected to cover a massive area, and if the current size of the Temple Mount is 500 meters, according to prophecy, it will in the future span a kilometer and a half, accommodating millions of people."

It is known that the Temple will descend from the heavens fully built, so why is it important that we know how to build it?

"This is indeed an opinion that has become rooted in many minds—that the Temple will descend fully built, but it is not that simple. There are various approaches and opinions on the subject. Maimonides, for example, rules clearly that we will be the ones to build the Temple. According to many other interpreters as well, the holiness will descend from the heavens, but in practice, we will build. This is why it's so important for us all to be prepared."

As the Fast of Tenth of Tevet approaches, what can you recommend to bring this topic closer to ourselves and our children?

"Days like the Tenth of Tevet are an appropriate time to expose our children to books with pictures documenting the Temple, as well as videos on the subject. Nowadays, there are so many materials available, and I can note that my grandchildren of all ages are really engrossed in these contents. It connects them to the deepest place of the soul, as with children, the first thing that reaches the brain is the visual."

Regarding adults, Rabbi Makover suggests listening to lectures on the Temple topic to understand, at least on a conceptual level, what one should truly dream and pray for. "Naturally, as one acquires more knowledge, the connection forms," he clarifies.

In conclusion, it is impossible not to ask—after so many years of dealing with this field, do you feel ready for the big day?

"This is a weighty question because there are several levels of preparations, including the endless spiritual aspect, where one can always continue to advance. Additionally, there are many current questions regarding the Temple that our generation has yet to answer. These are very profound issues, and often, I find myself debating and discussing them. So yes, I am certainly striving to do the utmost effort, with great hope for complete redemption soon."