While in Israel, in Jerusalem specifically, we went to a place called the Temple Institute. Their mission is found on their webpage, and says, "The Temple Institute is dedicated to every aspect of the concept of the Holy Temple of Jerusalem, and the central role it fulfilled, and will once again fulfill, in the spiritual wellbeing of both
While we were there, they passed around the long handled cup that is used to catch the blood of the sacrifice, and which the priest uses to take the blood around the altar to place blood on the horns of the altar, and to sprinkle the blood around the base of the altar. Of interest was the fact that the cup had a round bottom so it couldn't be put down by the priest until his task was finished. It could only be put in the special stand created for it. After I'd written this passage below, I found out that the one they had passed to us was a replica, and that the real on (pictured below) will only ever be used for it's intended purpose.
My journal entry describing the cup called a "Mizrak"
The actual 24k solid gold MizrakThe trip to the Temple Institute wouldn't have been complete without seeing the Menorah. In the middle of Jerusalem, in an outdoor walk, there stands a large glass case. Within the case stands a solid gold seven-lamp menorah which will be used inside the temple when it is rebuilt. The Temple Institute has recreated all of the instruments, utensils, tools and articles associated with temple worship, and in exact compliance with biblical description. The menorah stands out in the open, in a glass case, and is fashioned from a single piece of gold. That would never last in the United States. Of course the Menorah is in a locked enclosure that is alarmed, but still... right out in the open. THAT is the amount of respect Jews have for their faith, and for tradition.
The Menorah on display
I strongly recommend that you go to the Temple Institute's web site and look at their Gallery. They've recently completed the construction of the priestly garments, complete with all of the precious stones on the breastplate and on the shoulders, and believe or not the Urim and Thummim.
(NOTE: I feel it necessary to insert a comment here. As many of my family are Mormons, or members of the LDS church, they may not agree with much of what is said regarding biblical temples. The LDS Church teaches a completely different and non-biblical use and purpose of the temple. Instead of being first the dwelling place of God on earth, and secondly a place where the sins of the priests and of the people were only convered through animal sacrifice - they teach it to be a place where "saving work" is accomplished for those who have preceded us in death - including baptism for the dead, a Masonic-like ritual called an "endowment", and sealings for time and all eternity. All necessary to accomplish their ultimate goal of becoming gods themselves.
Addressing specifically the Urim and Thummim - literally lights and perfections - they were not a large-ish pair of spectacles connected to a breastplate of sorts, as described by Joseph Smith, but instead were thought to be a small white stone and a small black stone which were kept inside the breast plate worn by the high priest. (Exodus 28:30) When seeking the will of God, the priest would pray to God for direction and expecting a yes or no answer, they would reach in to the breast plate and draw forth one of the stones. (Some biblical examples of how they were used can be found in Numbers 27:21 and 1 Samuel 14:3-37.) The colors indicated the answer, and thus, similar to casting lots, the answer of the Lord would be given. Only a priest, of the family of Aaron, of the tribe of Levi was authorized to use the Urim and Thummim (Deuteronomy 33:8). For a comprehensive study of biblical temples, consult first the Holy Bible, and then I would recommend Alfred Eidershiems, "The Temple: It's Ministry and Services")
Whatever your faith background, it is impossible to be in Jerusalem, to walk where Jesus walked, to touch the Western Wall, and see these amazing articles of a system of worship made obsolete through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary, and not be moved. I long to go back again, and pray that before I die, I'll be able to.
This is me... take it or leave it.
The Menorah on displayI strongly recommend that you go to the Temple Institute's web site and look at their Gallery. They've recently completed the construction of the priestly garments, complete with all of the precious stones on the breastplate and on the shoulders, and believe or not the Urim and Thummim.
(NOTE: I feel it necessary to insert a comment here. As many of my family are Mormons, or members of the LDS church, they may not agree with much of what is said regarding biblical temples. The LDS Church teaches a completely different and non-biblical use and purpose of the temple. Instead of being first the dwelling place of God on earth, and secondly a place where the sins of the priests and of the people were only convered through animal sacrifice - they teach it to be a place where "saving work" is accomplished for those who have preceded us in death - including baptism for the dead, a Masonic-like ritual called an "endowment", and sealings for time and all eternity. All necessary to accomplish their ultimate goal of becoming gods themselves.
Addressing specifically the Urim and Thummim - literally lights and perfections - they were not a large-ish pair of spectacles connected to a breastplate of sorts, as described by Joseph Smith, but instead were thought to be a small white stone and a small black stone which were kept inside the breast plate worn by the high priest. (Exodus 28:30) When seeking the will of God, the priest would pray to God for direction and expecting a yes or no answer, they would reach in to the breast plate and draw forth one of the stones. (Some biblical examples of how they were used can be found in Numbers 27:21 and 1 Samuel 14:3-37.) The colors indicated the answer, and thus, similar to casting lots, the answer of the Lord would be given. Only a priest, of the family of Aaron, of the tribe of Levi was authorized to use the Urim and Thummim (Deuteronomy 33:8). For a comprehensive study of biblical temples, consult first the Holy Bible, and then I would recommend Alfred Eidershiems, "The Temple: It's Ministry and Services")
Whatever your faith background, it is impossible to be in Jerusalem, to walk where Jesus walked, to touch the Western Wall, and see these amazing articles of a system of worship made obsolete through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary, and not be moved. I long to go back again, and pray that before I die, I'll be able to.
This is me... take it or leave it.
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