New Details Emerging on the Rebuilt Altar of the Jewish Holy Temple

Ahuva Balofsky : Mar 23, 2015
Breaking Israel News

According to information released by the Temple Institute, since the Torah forbids the use of hewn stones in an altar (see Deuteronomy 27:5-6), it "consists of an outer frame of earthen bricks, oven-baked to withstand the extreme heat of the altar when in use."

(Jerusalem, Israel)—As Breaking Israel News reported earlier this month, the Temple Institute in Jerusalem has completed the construction of the stone altar required for the sacrificial service in the Holy Temple. In response to several inaccuracies in both the Hebrew and English media due to lack of information, the organization released its first detailed statement about the exciting event. (Photo: The altar built by the Temple Institute to be used in service in the rebuilt Third Jewish Temple. The Temple Institute)

The altar was completed late in 2014, and officially inaugurated during the Institute's public kindling ceremony for the Golden Menorah on the seventh night of the Hanukkah holiday, which fell on December 22.

Contrary to what was reported earlier, the height of the altar is not five meters (16 ft), but five amot, a Biblical measurement equivalent to roughly 2.35 meters (7.7 ft). Each amah measures 46-38 centimeters (18-19 inches). The ramp leading up to the altar is 16 amot long.

These measurements are in accordance with the opinion of Maimonides, the renowned medieval Jewish commentator and philosopher. This represents the smallest possible dimensions for a Kosher (permitted by Jewish law) functioning altar. (Photo: The altar built by the Temple Institute to be used in service in the rebuilt Third Jewish Temple. The Temple Institute)

According to information released by the Temple Institute, since the Torah forbids the use of hewn stones in an altar (see Deuteronomy 27:5-6), it "consists of an outer frame of earthen bricks, oven-baked to withstand the extreme heat of the altar when in use."

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