The Jewish Priests are NOW in Training for the Third Temple-2 

School for Training the Third Temple Priests

 In keeping with the tradition established by Chief Rabbi Kook to view with expectation God’s speedy fulfilment of His prophecies regarding the Temple, the Temple Institute along with the Temple Academy has begun such preparations for the Third Temple. In 2009, a field school was built in Mizpe Yericho to prepare Kohanim (priests) and Levites for service in the Third Temple. In 2010, uncut stones were collected from the Dead Sea for the construction of the Temple altar.  Such pristine stones are believed to fulfil the injunction that such building material be free from contact with metal tools.  (Deuteronomy 27:5) The Third Temple Academy in Mitzpe Yericho is about a 20-minute drive from Jerusalem on the road that leads to Jericho and the Jordan Valley. By building a replica of the Temple, the school has been able to give the priestly students a hands-on experience of Temple sacrificial worship. Kohanim are also being trained to perform the regular Temple duties or the daily Tamid service that is performed in the Holy Temple.

 

Stones along the shore of the Dead Sea

In August 2013, an evening was set aside for the grand opening of the school with a semi-dress rehearsal covering the complete daily service. Participants, some dressed in full priestly adornments, carried out the service step by step as prescribed through the Torah (Five Books of Moses), the Mishnah (rabbinical interpretations of the Torah), and other rabbinical writings. “Despite the limited space and all the typical pressure that accompany first time efforts, the overall effect was spell-binding, as we witnessed a sacred ceremony, first described in Torah four thousand years ago, yet not attended to for two thousand years of exile, suddenly come to life before our very eyes.  All at once, ancient texts and descriptions took shape as today’s descendants of Aaron, the first high priest and father of all kohanim, worked diligently to perform their assigned tasks,” a Face book post stated.

Four Kohanim walk beside a small modular altar in the Temple Institute that
can be disassembled and placed within the Third Temple.  Two Kohanim
carry ceramic vessels filled with pure olive oil that will be stored for use
in the Third Temple.  On the ramp of the altar is the three-pronged fork for
placing the offerings on the fire atop the altar.  The copper vessel will be
used to remove the previous day's ashes.

Resuming the Giving of Offerings

In a truly exciting development since then, this Pesach (Passover 2015), the Kohanim in training completed an accurate, authentic re-enactment of the Korban Pesach (Passover offering).  It is the first time in 2,000 years that this offering has been witnessed. The Temple Institute video of the re-enactment shows the Kohanim in their white uniforms using sacred vessels.  The uniforms, vessels and re-enactment were the result of decades of research. In the picturesque Samarian hills near Shiloh, a lamb was inspected and its blood was passed from one Kohanim to another in silver vessels called mizrak. “It is unconscionable and untenable that the Jewish people are prevented from conducting their Biblically-mandated Korban Pesach on Har HaBayis [Temple Mount] as required by Halacha [religious laws derived from written and oral laws]. "The Korban Pesach is the very essence of not only the holiday but also of our Jewish identity.  We hope this video connects Jews worldwide to the true meaning of Pesach,” Rabbi Chaim Richman explains.

A Kohen holds a silver mizrak, which is used to collect the blood from
the sacrifice.  After collecting the blood, the priest then spills it onto the
corner of the altar. 

“We call on all of Israel to study and discuss the Korban Pesach and make it the central theme of their Seder.  The concept of the Korban Pesach is synonymous with Israel’s bold stand against all forms of idolatry.  Only by understanding the true nature of the Passover experience can we hope to fulfill our Divine calling to be a light to the nations and celebrate yomtov [festival] properly in the rebuilt Jerusalem,” Richman adds. On the second day of Pesach this year, yet another great stride was taken in bringing back the service of the Holy Temple—a practice run for the bringing of the omer (barley offering) to the Temple, as mandated in Leviticus 23:10. In the Third Temple, a small amount of omer will be offered on the altar, and the rest will be eaten by the Kohanim serving in the Temple. The omer marks the beginning of the countdown to Shavuot (Feast of Weeks or Pentecost).

Richman says, “We have enough in place now to resume divine service and to build the Temple,” adding, “But obviously, a lot of things have to happen in order for this to happen.”  (CBN)

Preparing for Purification in the Third Temple: The Red Heifer

Although the Temple vessels have been created and the priests are in training, there are some serious issues that need to be resolved before construction on a new Temple can begin. One key element missing at the moment is a ritually pure red heifer, which is necessary to fulfil the command to use a red heifer as a means of purifying the altar (Numbers 19). Such specimens must be without blemish and not even two of their hairs may vary in colour. Previous red heifers have been disqualified, including a New Jersey red heifer that became ineligible this year when it gave birth to a black calf.  Pregnancy and the subsequent birth disqualify the cow. Rather than wait for one to appear randomly in a flock somewhere on earth, the Temple Institute has begun a special breeding program that includes the implanting of frozen Red Angus embryos into domestic Israeli cattle.  A crowd funding campaign is underway to help fund it.  To date, approximately $31,000 has been raised for this effort.

A Kohen and men from the Temple Institute have a look at Israeli cattle.