The Temple Institute, together with MK Moshe Feiglin’s Manhigut Yehudit (Jewish Leadership) are inviting Succot tourists from around the world to join them on a “Temple Experience” reminiscent of the ancient Aliyah L’Regel (pilgrimage).
The half-day program will begin with a Halachically permissible tour of the Temple Mount, followed by a tour of the brand new Temple Institute Visitors Center which is home to some of the 60 sacred vessels that the Temple Institute has recreated for use in the Third Temple.
The tours will be led by Rabbi Chaim Richman, International Director of the Temple Institute and the foremost English-speaking authority on the Holy Temple.
Following the tour, Knesset Deputy Speaker Moshe Feiglin—who is himself barred from going near the Temple Mount by a decree of his own government and party leader—will address the group on the importance of Jewish sovereignty and prayer on the Temple Mount. Which he himself is not permitted to do, even though, as an MK, he can walk freely into, say, the super secret nuclear plant in Dimona.
“We invite all those that have come to spend Succot in Jerusalem to join us on a unique Temple Experience,” said Rabbi Richman, adding: “The Temple Institute has worked tirelessly for almost three decades to prepare for the Third Temple and we have accomplished a great deal in moving closer to the rebuilding of the Third Temple.”
Richman added: “The Temple Mount is the holiest site on earth and Jews are commanded to be seen there, three times a year, on Succot, Pessach and Shavuot. By visiting the Temple Mount in accordance with Halacha, we show Hashem that we are serious in our longing for the Beit Hamikdash.”
Unless the prime minister of Israel, based on a directive from the Jordanian Waqf caretaker agency, which is the de facto owner of the Temple Mount these days, dictates that some of us—such as MK Moshe Feiglin, a member of the PM’s Knesset coalition—may not go up there.
Deputy Speaker of the Knesset Moshe Feiglin has blessed the initiative saying:
“It is my great honor to team with The Temple Institute for this Succot experience. I look forward to personally greeting all the participants and sharing the joyous holiday in the way the Torah commands.”
But he would not defy the prime minister and walk onto the actual Temple Mount, because prime ministers must be obeyed. And there you have it, on this fine day of Tishrei, 5774, in the Jewish State where religious Jews are kept by secular politicians on the command of Arab executives from setting foot on the holiest place on Earth. Good luck to all of us and a fine new year.
To register for the Succot tour click here.
