“And let them make me a Sanctuary that I may dwell among them" (Ex. 25:8).

This holy command in the Scriptures seems clear enough, so what's the problem? Why has Israel tolerated Jerusalem’s "abomination of desolation" — a Temple Mount without a Temple? Why haven’t the religious leaders encouraged the people to do what they can in fulfilling this mitzva?

Why are the political leaders afraid of such thoughts and shamefully bar my entry to Israel? Could such talk lead to war? Is the Arab moon god greater than the God of Israel? Have the Muslim hordes yet defeated the Lion of Judah? Isn’t Jerusalem Israel’s eternal capital?

Must we wait until we’re perfect before we can build the Third Temple? Are we less worthy than our forefathers who provoked God ten times in the Wilderness, yet were instructed to build the Tabernacle?

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

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

David, unable to build the Temple, nevertheless did everything he possibly could in preparing for it. He didn’t just pray about it and hope that someone else would do something! And setting such a sterling example, David used it as a golden opportunity to ask the nation to follow his lead. The rulers and people responded and found transcendent joy in their generosity! (1 Chron. 29:2,6).

It took Haggai and Zechariah to challenge the Jewish leaders of their day to quit making excuses and build the Temple. God had restored Judah to Zion, so why wasn’t it time for Him to also be invited Home?

Note that those Jews made aliyah (emmigrated) to Israel and built the Temple without a Messiah! And for the first 22 years the Temple and sacrificial system was working WITHOUT THE ASHES OF THE RED HEIFER!

Israel and world Jewry’s inaction concerning the Temple is without excuse! Even for those who would ignore biblical history and demand that we first become ritually pure, there's no reason for failing to prepare for that glorious day! It’s incumbent upon the Chief Rabbinate and Israeli government to do so!

Israel must make a public call and international issue stating the The Vatican must return the Temple treasures!

Thankfully, the Temple Mount Faithful, the Temple Institute and Yeshiva Ateret Cohanim have begun the process. As Abraham Lincoln stated: "I will prepare and the opportunity will present itself."