The Mission of His Life: "Heaven Led Me to Study the Topic of the Temple"
He was born miraculously and returned to faith at 17. His Hasidic family was murdered during the Holocaust, while relatives who fled to Israel were no longer religious. Now, he speaks of divine providence as the sole descendant able to continue his pre-Holocaust family traditions. This is the story of Rabbi Menachem Makover, the man revitalizing public interest in studying the Temple year-round.
- גלית לוי
- פורסם כ"ח תמוז התשפ"ב

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Courtesy of Rabbi Menachem Makover, Head of the Institute for Temple Knowledge
Courtesy of Rabbi Menachem Makover, Head of the Institute for Temple Knowledge
Rabbi Makover's mother's family (circled above is Rabbi Makover's mother, Dora, of blessed memory)
R' Menachem Mendel Makover, may his memory be blessed
Rabbi Makover beside a model of the Temple Menorah in the Old City
Courtesy of Rabbi Menachem Makover, Head of the Institute for Temple Knowledge
Courtesy of Rabbi Menachem Makover, Head of the Institute for Temple Knowledge
Courtesy of Rabbi Menachem Makover, Head of the Institute for Temple Knowledge
Courtesy of Rabbi Menachem Makover, Head of the Institute for Temple Knowledge
Courtesy of Rabbi Menachem Makover, Head of the Institute for Temple Knowledge
Courtesy of Rabbi Menachem Makover, Head of the Institute for Temple Knowledge
Courtesy of Rabbi Menachem Makover, Head of the Institute for Temple Knowledge
Courtesy of Rabbi Menachem Makover, Head of the Institute for Temple Knowledge
The life story and family history of Rabbi Menachem Makover are filled with awe-inspiring tales of faith and the palpable hand of Hashem. His inspiring mission to encourage the public to learn about, connect with, and feel the heartbeat of the world—the Temple—is also full of surprising stories.
One particularly moving case turned for the better. It happened during the years Rabbi Makover managed the Temple Institute in Jerusalem. A representative from one of the non-religious political parties in the Jerusalem municipality opposed the budget allocated to the Temple Institute.
"It was objectionable to her eyes. They thought it was a messianic topic. I approached the mayor’s assistant to invite that representative to an exhibition," recalls Rabbi Makover.
The representative did indeed come, and she was given an explanation about the pictures, the models, the inner message, and the significance of the Temple to every Jew. The efforts paid off.
"She said it was a ‘bird of the soul.’ It spoke to the inner depth of her soul, and she understood this was an important endeavor. Blessed be Hashem, afterward, she requested that the municipality allocate a greater budget to the Temple Institute."

This case precisely illustrates the point: there is something mysterious about the Temple that speaks to hearts beyond the external grandeur and beauty. The soul wants to be there. Even the soul of that opponent, who turned into an enthusiastic supporter, actively sought to connect more and more Jews to what was lost to us.
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The Pregnant Mother's Decision after the Dream Revelation
There seems to be a divine intention, in our era close to the advent of the Messiah, to increase the need for enhancing the connection to the Temple and complete redemption among the people of Israel. Rabbi Makover feels how the story of his mother's rescue during the Holocaust, being the only one of her family to survive, his birth story, including the dream where his great-grandfather appeared to his pregnant mother, and all the events of his life are closely connected to his life mission.

"I am the son of a Holocaust survivor mother. My mother lost two children in the Holocaust and was miraculously saved. Gentile children saved her. Before the Holocaust, she came from a religious home, and after the catastrophe, she was not religious anymore, but she felt divine providence. She had an inner belief, and she saw the hand of providence."
"My father came from the Alexander Hasidism. My grandfather, of blessed memory, was likely one of the prominent chassidim. During the Holocaust, several of his children fled to Israel, including my father, but sadly, due to the influence here, they did not continue in their father's way. My grandfather's other children and my grandfather himself, who remained in the diaspora and maintained a Hasidic lifestyle, all perished in the Holocaust."

After the Holocaust, Rabbi Makover's mother built a new home. Through miraculous means, she managed to become pregnant, and for nine months, she remained on bed rest. One night, the mother had a dream that deeply stirred her. In her dream, she saw an old Jew with a majestic face.
"My mother saw my paternal great-grandfather sitting in the kitchen. She recognized him from the pictures she saw. My great-grandfather said to her, ‘Among all my daughters-in-law, I chose to be with you.’ It shook her deeply. She woke up and told my father that the child to be born would be named after Grandfather Menachem-Mendel."

The Mother Who Returned to Faith Because of Her Teenage Son
When Rabbi Makover was just 17 years old, he returned to faith.
"My mother accepted it with love. It enriched the home, and for her, it was a true renewal to return to her father's home. She returned to faith after me." The son's return to the path of Torah and commandments influenced the mother, but it seems Rabbi Makover also inherited from his mother, who dedicated her life to children's education, the intense desire to impart something wonderful to future generations.
"One could say that heaven led me to such a detailed and central occupation, to turn it into a life's mission. I returned to faith at a time when the subject of returning to faith was not fashionable at all. The Teshuva movement was in its infancy, and returnees had nowhere to study at all," says Rabbi Makover about his early path in faith.

"I continued searching. It required much seeking because it was not available. One must choose a direction, and I continued to many directions, very internal like involvement in Hasidism and the inner Torah, and indeed initially, the subject of the Temple did not appeal to me, nor did I have any contact with it. In those days, people did not engage with the Temple. A person seeks the personal aspect and connection to the world of Torah, and truly, the subject of the Temple was distant from hearts. It was like an utopian vision that once there was a Temple, and in the public discourse, its current relevance was nonexistent. Although there was a longing for it—what did it mean for the public?"

Connect to the Temple with exciting and strengthening books and games: Biblical Archaeology Series by Rabbi Zamir Cohen + Gift: Book of Daniel with Nezer Hachizayon commentary by Rabbi Zamir Cohen, Treasure of the Temple and Tabernacle by Rabbi Menachem Makover and in addition, a variety of fascinating puzzles and games await you. Clickhere or call 073-222-1250
"I Suddenly Realized There Was Another Pair of Cherubim"
About 15 years after returning to faith, getting married, and progressing in the world of Torah, Rabbi Makover was asked to give a trial lesson in a grade school of the Talmud Torah in Bat Ayin.
"They were studying I Kings chapter 6, describing the construction of the Temple built by King Solomon. I sat down to prepare the chapter and find a way to communicate to the children through something visual. As is the way of yeshiva students and returnees whose study isn't structured from the beginning of the Bible, I was in shock when I read this chapter. The most stunning thing for me was the subject of the cherubim in the Holy of Holies. Everyone knows there's a table, the Ark of the Covenant, and a menorah. Suddenly, I realized there was another pair of cherubim!

"I felt here some tremendous holiness. I felt something pulling me in the story, something with a huge message and great holiness. Blessed be Hashem, I prepared a very successful lesson, demonstrated it to the children, but beyond that, the story of the First Temple and the details of the structure drew me in, and one could say it was from heaven."
Rabbi Makover rigorously researched the subject of the Temple, studied in a Kollel in the Muslim Quarter of the Old City, delved deeply into the Temple's learning, and formed a connection with the Temple Institute founders.
"The personal study expanded, grew stronger, and came to fruition. Afterward, I joined as a lecturer, editor of articles and manuscripts on the Temple, and practically managed the Institute for Temple Knowledge, the educational arm of the Temple Institute."


After a short period managing the institute, he managed the entire Temple Institute for about ten years. Over the years, he forged a deep connection with the late Halban, Rabbi Chaim Cohen, who guided and encouraged him throughout. "We truly experienced tangible miracles regarding the Temple through his blessings," adds Rabbi Makover.
"You Were There in the Temple": Reactions from Rebbes, Rabbis, Educators, and the Public
Many people were greatly aroused and came closer to the Temple. During one of Rabbi Makover's lectures, he received a special response from one of the visitors: "An important artist there told me: 'You were in the Temple.' She felt it so tangibly. The message was conveyed. 'You were there.' For me, it's certainly a compliment because it manages to impart to people the feeling that they, too, were there. It connects and brings them closer."

Even after his books were released, the Treasury of the Tabernacle and Temple, responses continued to flow from all over the public: "People said to me: 'What a mission you have accomplished. We can finally give a genuine experience to the children.' People changed their entire perspective on the Temple in terms of understanding. For example, the Tabernacle portion. There are five portions in the Torah dealing with it. Suddenly a book comes, illustrating it to a person in a detailed and clear way, in a three-dimensional model, with very high-quality and realistic detail."
Not only the general public is moved and thrilled by the powers in Rabbi Makover's books. Great and important rabbis appreciate his work from the heart. Rebbes also came to visit and be impressed with Temple research, with enormous admiration, extolling the activities and encouraging the significance of study for all of Israel.
About the Sacrifices Book - The Esteemed Rabbi Stood Up, Declaring to the Audience: "There Was Nothing Like It"
"Once, I attended a series of lectures by an esteemed rabbi. At first, the rabbi read out the students' names, reached my name, and asked: 'Are you Rabbi Makover?' I replied affirmatively. The rabbi said: 'You wrote a book on the sacrifices.' I was embarrassed as he stood up before about 80 people and said with great enthusiasm: 'Listen, nothing like it has ever been. The book reached me, and it truly revitalizes the topic, a must-read book.' When I encounter these situations, I thank Hashem I was privileged."

Rabbi Makover notes that indeed the topic of sacrifices was something that needed to be revitalized, as it is complex both in content and in its relevance to our generation. Educators use Rabbi Makover’s books, ask questions, seek advice on the subject, request Rabbi Makover to come with presentations to illustrate the study in an experiential way, as the pictures that show the holy work in a splendid and accurate way and the explanations in the books, all form an important layer in instilling the subject, especially in our visual generation.


As we approach the Fast of Tisha B'av, we feel the pain of loss. A loss not only of the Temple building, which was the pinnacle of creation, and not only of the unique holiness that is not present today, but also of 2,000 years of suffering for the people of Israel, but moreover—we anticipate the good that will come with longing, and tangibly feel the Holy One, blessed be He, as a good father who stretches out his hands to his children, runs to them, and hugs them warmly.
The hand of divine providence in each of our stories is proof: "Hashem brings a redeemer to their children's children. My mother, who remained alone from her entire family, was extracted from the depth of the abyss. I was privileged to be the only descendant, continuing the path of my great-grandfather from my father's side, who had 12 children. It's a wonder when we gather with the children and the grandchildren. The eternity of Israel will not fail."
To purchase the Temple kit at a special introductory pricevisit Hidabroot Shops
Connect to the Temple with exciting and strengthening books and games: Biblical Archaeology Series by Rabbi Zamir Cohen + Gift: Book of Daniel with Nezer Hachizayon commentary by Rabbi Zamir Cohen, Treasure of the Temple and Tabernacle by Rabbi Menachem Makover and in addition, a variety of fascinating puzzles and games await you. Clickhereor call 073-222-1250