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Observance of the Temple commandments and work in a temporary tabernacle built and dismantled on the Temple Mount

שו”תCategory: HalachaObservance of the Temple commandments and work in a temporary tabernacle built and dismantled on the Temple Mount
asked 6 months ago

To Rabbi Dr. Michael Avraham, Shalom Rav,
 
I would like to ask the rabbi for his halakhic opinion in the political and interfaith circumstances regarding the observance of the Temple and work commandments in the present (i.e., not “tomorrow morning” but in circumstances of years or decades to come). This is based on the premise that the feelings and sensitivities of almost two billion Muslim believers around the world and their Sharia laws must be respected accordingly (and there are also halakhic considerations of “paths of peace”).
Likewise, I do not want to dwell here on issues of the impurity of the dead, the appointment of priests, the validity of the altar, the need for a monarchy, etc. These are important and relevant issues, but this is not the halachic issue I wish to raise.
I would also like to state that from a study of the Quran, the Hadith, contemporary Sharia discourse on the laws of Waqf (Islamic endowment), as well as the statements of the Palestinian delegation to the Western Wall Conference, which was established due to the events of 1949, it became clear to me that there is no Sharia problem in principle with holding Jewish worship in the courtyard of Al-Aqsa (the Haram Al-Sharif) (and I would add that even Israeli Muslims, with whom I speak about this, did not object to the very idea of ​​Jewish worship in the courtyard of Al-Aqsa, but mainly to “Ben Gvir and the settlers,” etc.), but on the other hand, there is a Sharia problem with converting Waqf land, which was dedicated to mosques and public prayers, to another purpose on a permanent basis.
 
And now to the actual (triple) question –

  • In the opinion of the Honorable Rabbi, is it possible to fulfill all the halachic obligations associated with the Temple and its construction in a tabernacle built and dismantled for the needs of worship (times for the morning sacrifice, the offering sacrifice, lighting the menorah, the showbread, etc.) in a vacant area on the Temple Mount, which includes the location of the altar of burnt offering? (I am not aware of an approach that says that the location of the altar is where there is an existing Islamic structure.)
  • Is it correct to say that it is indeed possible to fulfill all the halachic obligations related to the Temple and its building, as mentioned above, even if that Tabernacle, when it was built, did not encompass the Dome of the Rock (let’s say the ancient Holy of Holies was inside it), as long as on Yom Kippur the order of worship is performed by the High Priest (the offering, confession, etc.) inside the Dome of the Rock?
  • Is there a halachic problem in accepting in any normalization agreement of the State of Israel with a Muslim authority or state, within the outlines of which the Tabernacle is built and dismantled, the Jewish (Israeli) demands regarding the commandment of the Temple and worship therein on the Temple Mount (even without a permanent building) end? (Or perhaps accompanied by a comment, that ‘We hope for international and religious recognition by the free will of the nations of the world in the long run when the earth is filled with the knowledge of God to allow their free will to perfect the Temple as a house of prayer for all nations.’ etc.?)

I would be happy if the rabbi would indicate the sources and halachic principles on which he will rely in his reply.
 
With many thanks in advance and immense blessings,
Ofir Eliyahu Gal-Ezer
 
P.S. I would like to point out that in my opinion, a tabernacle that is built and dismantled is more ideal for the people of Israel than a permanent temple, in light of the tendency of the people of Israel throughout the Bible to trust in the Temple, which would save them from their enemies, and the worship of the Temple as an intermediary between God and man (“Do not trust yourselves in lying words, saying, The temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, is this:” (Jeremiah, 7:4)) and in the spirit of the words in 2 Samuel, chapter 7 – “5. Go and tell my servant David, Thus says the Lord: You are the one who will build me a house, that I may dwell in it. For I have not dwelt in a house since the day that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even unto this day: but I have walked in a tent, and in a tabernacle. “In all that I have walked with all the children of Israel, I have spoken a word to one of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, ‘Why have you not built me ​​a house of cedars?'”

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0 Answers
מיכי Staff answered 6 months ago

Hypothetical and unnecessary discussion. When Muslims agree to a portable shelter in the same place, they will also agree to the building of the Temple. Incidentally, sacrifice can also be without a house.

אופיר אליהו גל-עזר replied 6 months ago

For me, it is not at all unnecessary. I personally work to create a dialogue on the subject in Jewish and Arab society in Israel in the hope that if a Jewish movement is established that speaks the language of equality, partnership and peace on the Temple Mount-Al-Aqsa, there will also be Muslims in Israel and around the world who may want to join it, and that this will have a significant voice, which will be worth considering among actual decision-makers regarding procedures on the Temple Mount.

Initiatives can always be ruled out in advance, but those who give up on political or religious changes in advance may do so mainly out of despair or misplaced laziness. Even a journey of a thousand steps began with one step, as did significant political and religious movements.

This issue is so important to the security of all residents of the region, and since 1929, every intifada and even the October 7 attack have been called the ‘Al-Aqsa Flood’. This place should be a symbol of peace, which will bring healing, and many Muslims may also support the idea, which speaks in the language of equality, partnership and peace, in order to open a door to peace and stability. Because this is needed by everyone and in everyone's interest, and it is not difficult to understand that without a reality of coexistence on the Temple Mount-Al-Aqsa, a much-needed part of international peace or stability will be missing, and that decision-makers will not be able to agree on anything on the matter without support from the peoples (and see where peace talks have stalled in the past).

On the other hand, someone who denies every good initiative in advance, even at the level of discussion, will never get anywhere, and someone who in every attempt to resolve a conflict will vote in advance for the other side, will be condemned to a life of misery (and I am not saying that the rabbi denies everything, and accuses others of everything, in advance of his life, but such an attitude is reflected in this specific answer of yours).

Best regards,

Ofir (the questioner)

פנחס replied 6 months ago

To hold a debate with Muslims about whether to allow Jewish worship on the Temple Mount is to me like having a debate with a pastry chef about how to eat your cake and keep it whole, when he doesn't even want to bake it for you.
But, keep up the good work. You probably make a living from this bizarre business.

אופיר אליהו גל-עזר replied 6 months ago

First of all, the Jewish people within themselves must agree that they want the cake, not the mafia to seize it.
See an article I published on the subject in the journal Urbanology of the University of Tel Aviv on the subject of structuring the discourse (there may be a glitch on the site right now) –
https://urbanologia.tau.ac.il/al-aqsa/

Do I get a living for this? My soul. No one pays me money for this. This is an act out of a sense of mission and social responsibility.
Anyone who regularly receives money for teaching Torah will be the last to preach on the subject.

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