During the Three Weeks:
Learn about the Beit Hamikdash
(it’s like building it!)
Ezekiel said: “Master of the World, why are You telling me to go and tell Israel the form of the House . . . They are now in exile in the land of our enemies. Is there anything they can do [about it]? Let them be until they return from exile. Then, I will go and inform them.”
G‑d answered: “Should the construction of My House be ignored because My children are in exile? The study of the Torah's [design of the Holy Temple] can be equated to its construction. Go tell them to study the form of the Temple ... and I will consider it as if they actually built it.”
Thus, the Rebbe teaches us, it is especially appropriate to learn these laws during the Three Weeks, when we mourn the destruction of the Holy Temple and our subsequent exile.
Citing the verse (Isaiah 1:27) "Zion shall be redeemed with mishpat [Torah] and its returnees with tzedakah [charity]," the Rebbe urged that we increase in Torah study – and particularly the study of the laws of the Holy Temple – and charity during this period.
Featured Content
The Mishkan
As outlined in the Book of Exodus, G‑d’s first home was the Tabernacle (Mishkan), which was built in the desert and continued to function (in various forms) until the days of Solomon.
The best place to learn about this Temple is in the Book of Exodus, where we read both about G‑d’s instructions regarding its construction and how it was actually built.