Beit Hamikdash
The 24 Mishmaros: How the Kohanim's Watch Rotation Began
Traces the Temple's mishmaros system from Moshe's original eight through David's expansion to twenty-four, and why the Korbanos section is recited daily in davening.
When Is It Permitted to Enter the Holy of Holies?
Covers the halachos around sanctity levels in the Beis Hamikdash, differing minhagim between Sephardim and Ashkenazim, and the authority behind customs of peace (darkei shalom).
Where Was the Menorah Placed in the Temple?
Covers the Menorah's position relative to the curtain, whether the Kohen Gadol could enter the sacred light chamber, the origin of the 18-minute candle-lighting custom, and the merit of two great scholars born from careful candle-lighting.
The Seven Sons Who All Became Kohen Gadol
The story of Yishmael ben Kimchis and his seven sons who each served as Kohen Gadol, the Kohen Gadol's path through the Temple on Yom Kippur, and the sanctity of the parochet.
The Seven Sons Who All Became Kohen Gadol
The story of Yishmael ben Kimchis and his seven sons who each served as Kohen Gadol, the Foundation Stone (even shesiya), and the five ambiguous verses debated by Issi ben Yehudah.
Was the Beis Hamikdash Ever Truly Destroyed?
A chassidic class arguing the Temple's essence was never destroyed, linking the Ark, the Manna, and the oil through a gezeirah shavah, and exploring Nadav and Avihu's sin of ruling before Moshe.
The Ark's Eternal Place in a Destroyed Temple
Continues the theme of the Temple's indestructible essence, the Rambam's view on the Ark's necessity, and Nadav and Avihu's sin of acting before Moshe gave the word.
The Ark Hidden Beneath the Temple Floor
The story of the Kohen Gadol's brief prayer and the discovery of the Ark hidden beneath the wood-storage floor, plus the Baal Shem Tov's vision of the Ark in Mezhbizh.
The Ark Hidden Beneath the Temple Floor
The story of the Kohen Gadol's brief prayer and the discovery of the Ark hidden beneath the wood-storage floor, the Baal Shem Tov's vision of the missing Ark, and a parable about finding treasure within.
Measuring the Temple Courtyard, Chamber by Chamber
A detailed walk through the Beis Hamikdash's physical layout -- the azarah's measurements, the salt and washing chambers, and the ascent from the chayl to the ulam.
The Kohen Who Saw the Hidden Ark -- and Died
Stories of Kohanim who stumbled upon the Ark hidden beneath the Temple floor, with halachic analysis of whether the phrase 'until this day' really means forever.
The Kohen Who Saw the Hidden Ark -- and Died
Stories of Kohanim who stumbled upon the Ark hidden beneath the Temple floor, whether the First or Second Temple is being discussed, and the historical gap of 52 years with no inhabitants.
Could Outsiders Really See the Ark and Cherubim?
A detailed sugya on the Ark's visibility, the Rambam's classification of it as part of the Temple structure, and the thirteen curtains that covered the First versus Second Temple.
Could Outsiders Really See the Ark and Cherubim?
A detailed sugya on the Ark's visibility, the Rambam's classification of it, and the thirteen curtains that covered the First versus Second Temple, including the height difference between them.
How to Properly Ask a Question of the Urim V'Tumim
Covers the Kohen Gadol's eight garments, the correct procedure for posing a question to the Urim V'Tumim, and David HaMelech's mistake in asking two questions out of order.
How to Properly Ask a Question of the Urim V'Tumim
Covers the Kohen Gadol's eight garments, the correct procedure for posing a question to the Urim V'Tumim, and the theory of which letters light up in the answer.
What's the Real Purpose of the Beis Hamikdash?
A Rambam-Ramban machloket on the core purpose of the Temple, its physical layout, and how kavanah transforms an ordinary mitzvah like tefillin.
What Stones Were Disqualified for the Altar?
Covers the Rambam's halachos of the Beis Habechirah -- the seven required vessels, why the Temple couldn't be built at night, and which stones were unfit for the mizbeach.
What Happens If an Altar Stone Gets Damaged?
A short piece on the halachic status of the altar when one of its stones is damaged, and the punishment for intentionally breaking Temple stones.
Was the Akeidah Performed on the Same Spot as the Temple?
Covers the materials required for the Menorah's vessels, the fixed position of the mizbeach, and the tradition that Adam himself was created on the Temple Mount.
How Tall Was the Altar, Really?
A detailed measurement class on the mizbeach's structure -- its base, surrounding ledge, and horns -- and the red line marking where different blood types were applied.
Why Lead Was Fine for Repairing the Altar, But Not Every Metal
A detailed class on the Beis Hamikdash's altar construction requirements, which defects in a stone were disqualifying, and which metals were acceptable for repairs.
Did the Menorah Really Have Feet?
A detailed class on the Menorah's construction based on Parshas Terumah -- its cups, flowers, and decorative knobs, with the Rebbe's view on whether its branches were straight or slanted.
How the Showbread Was Arranged on the Temple's Table
Continues the Menorah's construction details, then turns to the Shulchan's golden supports and how the lechem hapanim bread was arranged and baked.
Why the Washing Basin Had Twelve Faucets
Covers the dimensions of the incense altar and the Kiyor's design, plus the recurring halachic debate over fish and dairy eaten together.
Why the Beis Hamikdash Is Compared to a Garment
A chassidic class built on the Berditchever's parable comparing the Temple to a garment -- revealing that every physical detail of the Mikdash mirrors a spiritual level, visible to all in the future redemption.
Where Is the Ark Really Hidden?
Continues the search for the Ark's hiding place beneath the Temple floor, the Rambam's view on the silent Urim V'Tumim in the Second Temple, and the layout difference between the two Temples' inner sanctums.
The Temple's Base, Walls, and Overall Height
A short, technical class walking through the Temple structure's foundational and upper-floor dimensions.
Why the Temple Doors Were Never Locked
Aggada on a disgraced Kohen's punishment, Beruriah's legendary scholarship, and a practical question of why the Temple's doors stayed open during the Korban Pesach's slaughter.
How the Kohen Gadol's Forehead-Plate Grants Atonement
A short piece on the tzitz (forehead plate) and its power to forgive certain Temple-related transgressions.
Was There a Hidden Second Floor Above the Holy of Holies?
Explores the minimum amount required to fulfill the Korban Pesach, a story about eating on the roof, and the surprising idea of a stricter upper chamber above the Kodesh HaKodashim.
Why Was the Shechinah Absent From the Second Temple?
Explores why the Divine Presence didn't rest as openly in the Second Temple, traces the nations descended from Yefes, and surveys the giants of Hebron.
Why Was the Shechinah Absent From the Second Temple?
Explores why the Divine Presence didn't rest as openly in the Second Temple, the status of the Karaites, and the halachos of mezuzah on different types of gates.
Ten Miracles That Happened Every Day in the Temple
Aggada listing the Temple's recurring miracles -- the fragrance of the sacrificial meat, rain never extinguishing the altar's fire, and the showbread staying miraculously warm.
Ten Miracles That Happened Every Day in the Temple
Aggada listing the Temple's recurring miracles, including how the holy meat's smell prevented miscarriage, and a halachic debate over counting internal versus external miracles.
The Golden Trees That Grew in Shlomo's Temple
Aggada on Shlomo HaMelech's miraculous golden trees in the Temple, the altar's smoke that never bent in the wind, and the six categories of fire described in the Gemara.
The Golden Trees That Grew in Shlomo's Temple
Aggada on Shlomo HaMelech's miraculous golden trees in the Temple, the altar's unmoving smoke, and how its direction was read as an omen for the year's economy.
How Many Fires Burned on the Temple's Altar?
Covers Chanukah greetings, the large fire (ma'arachah) on the outer altar, cleaning the inner altar, and halachic questions about see-through priestly garments.
The Order of Fires and Offerings on the Altar
Walks through the sequence of fires and offerings on the Temple altar -- from the blood offering through the incense, meal-offerings, and libations.
A Child's Questions About the Rebuilt Temple
A personal piece built around a child's curious questions, hope for the rebuilt Beis Hamikdash, and achieving peace through concrete deeds.
The Miraculous Doors That Survived a Storm at Sea
The story of Nicanor's gold-plated Temple doors surviving a shipwreck, the secretive baking family of Beis Garmu, and the hidden incense-making techniques of Beis Avtinas.
The Miraculous Doors That Survived a Storm at Sea
The story of Nicanor's Temple doors, the Sages doubling Beis Garmu's salary to keep their secret baking technique, and the mystery of Beis Avtinas's incense formula.
Why a Family Guarded a Temple Secret for Generations
The story of Rabbi Akiva's encounter in a field, a secretly guarded scroll of ketores, and families who refused to teach their sacred techniques to outsiders.
Why a Family Guarded a Temple Secret for Generations
The story of Rabbi Akiva's encounter in a field, the secret of the Temple's ever-rising smoke, and a young Rabbi Yonasan Eibeshutz being tested on his knowledge.
Why the Kohanim's Drink Wasn't Part of the Service
A very short piece on why a customary drink taken by the Kohanim wasn't considered part of the formal Temple service.
Why the Kohanim's Drink Wasn't Part of the Service
A very short piece on why a customary drink taken by the Kohanim wasn't considered part of the formal avodah.
Shimon HaTzaddik's Final Vision -- and a Succession Crisis
Covers miracles attributed to Shimon HaTzaddik's era, why certain blessings stopped after his death, the story of a repentant thief, and the controversy over Chonyo's appointment as Kohen Gadol.
Shimon HaTzaddik's Final Vision -- and a Succession Crisis
Covers Shimon HaTzaddik's premonition of his own death, the story of a repentant thief nicknamed 'Ben Chametz,' and the family plot behind Chonyo's bid for the Kohen Gadol position.