“And let them make a sanctuary for me to dwell among them” (Ex. 25:8).

This holy commandment in the scriptures seems pretty clear, so what’s the problem? Why has Israel tolerated the “abomination of desolation” in Jerusalem, a Temple Mount without a Temple? Why haven’t religious leaders encouraged people to do what they can to fulfill this mitzvah?

Why are the political leaders afraid of such thoughts and shamefully preventing me from entering Israel? Could such a conversation lead to war? Is the Arab god of the moon greater than the God of Israel? Have the Muslim hordes already defeated the Lion of Judah? Isn’t Jerusalem the eternal capital of Israel?

Must we wait until we are perfect before we can build the Third Temple? Are we less worthy than our ancestors who provoked God ten times in the desert, but were instructed to build the Tabernacle?

Does not God work through very human instruments? How many times does God have to emphasize in the Torah that He has chosen us for his Great Purpose and his love for our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob? Our role in God’s Plan is due to his goodness and mercy, not our greatness!

Where are the true leaders like Moses and David who made public calls to prepare a Sanctuary for our God? (Exodus 35:4-5). All men and women were encouraged to give of themselves in any way possible: skills and talents, time and materials. There was such an overwhelming response to Moses’ request that he had to ask for restraint! (Exodus 36:6-7).

David, unable to build the Temple, nevertheless did his best to prepare it. He didn’t just pray about it and hope someone else would do something! And by setting such an excellent example, David used it as a golden opportunity to ask the nation to follow his example. The rulers and the people responded and found transcendent joy in their generosity! (1 Chronicles 29:2,6).

It took Haggai and Zechariah to challenge the Jewish leaders of their day to stop making excuses and build the Temple. God had restored Judah to Zion, so why wasn’t it about time He was invited Home too?

Notice that those Jews made aliyah (immigrated) to Israel and built the Temple without a Messiah! And for the first 22 years the Temple and the sacrificial system functioned WITHOUT THE ASHES OF THE RED COW!

The inaction of Israel and world Jewry regarding the Temple is inexcusable! Even for those who would ignore biblical history and demand that we first become ritually clean, there is no reason not to prepare for that glorious day! It is up to the Chief Rabbinate and the Israeli government to do it!

Israel must make a public call and an international issue declaring that the Vatican must return the Temple treasures!

Fortunately, Temple Mount Faithful, Temple Institute, and Yeshiva Ateret Cohanim have started the process. As Abraham Lincoln said: “I will prepare myself and the opportunity will present itself.”