English Summary: Building the Temple – Human Effort or Divine Miracle?
In this talk, Rabbi Wolfson addresses the famous tension regarding the Third Temple: Will it descend ready-made from heaven, or is it our responsibility to build it?
Key Takeaways:
**A Common Misconception:** Many people mistakenly believe that because certain sources (like Rashi and the Zohar) describe the Temple descending from heaven, there is no commandment (Mitzvah) for us to build it. The Rabbi clarifies that this is a “grave error.”
**An Eternal Commandment:** All major authorities who count the 613 Mitzvot (including Maimonides/Rambam) include the building of the Temple as a binding commandment. By definition, a Mitzvah included in the 613 must be eternal and applicable for generations, not just a one-time historical event.
**The Connection Between Heaven and Earth:** Quoting the Zohar, the Rabbi explains that there is a “Heavenly Temple” and an “Earthly Temple.” Our duty is to build the physical structure here in this world.
**The Condition for the Divine Fire:** The Zohar teaches that for the Heavenly Temple to descend in fire from heaven, we must first establish the Temple below. The earthly structure serves as the foundation (“Machon”) upon which the Divine presence can rest.
**The Essence of the Temple:** While sacrifices are the physical act, the core of the Temple is “Service of the Heart”—prayer. It is intended to be a place for daily connection to G-d.
Bottom Line: We have a practical, literal obligation to build the Temple below. Through our physical actions, we create the vessel that allows the spiritual, heavenly fire to descend and dwell among us.
