The Significance of the Temple in Jewish Life today

By Alouette

The Holy Temple (Beit HaMikdash) was destroyed by the Romans in the 1st Century CE. Since that time the Jewish people have mourned the destruction of the Temple and pray for its restoration in our daily prayers. The date of Tisha B’Av (the 9th of Av) is the day we mourn the destruction of the Temple and all other tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people, including the Holocaust.

The traditional belief is that the restoration of the Temple and its daily worship (including animal sacrifices) will be completed after the arrival of Moshiach (the Messiah) and that the Temple will be rebuilt in a supernatural manner, and that it shall be a “House of Prayer for all Nations” who will gather to worship in Jerusalem, according the prophecy of Zechariah. Moshiach will turn the hearts of all peoples on earth to the worship of one G-D and bring an era of peace. May it happen speedily in our time.