ChinuchAtHome

Even though the Beis HaMikdash is currently not in our midst except for the visible remnants of the western wall and buried artifacts, do we yearn and long for it? Do our children actually know about its significance and its beauty and its glory during the time of the reign of Shlomo HaMelech? How much do we know about the Beis HaMikdash? Baruch Hashem, we have plenty of resources today to learn all about the Beis HaMikdash...

Three Special Days
A young boy and his family celebrate Pesach during the time of the Second Temple.
by Yaakov Meir Strauss

Young readers are invited to join Naftali and his family to experience a true Pesach celebration at the time of the second Beis HaMikdash. Catch a glimpse of the Sanhedrin in session, walk through the marketplace to buy wine, matzos, and marror, and learn the laws of the offerings brought in the temple, and more. This fascinating book is packed full of information, imparted in a way that young readers will appreciate and grasp. Includes maps, diagrams, and charming illustrations.(279 Pages)

This book brings learning halachos from Chumash to life through a fictional account of a Jewish family preparing and spending three days in Yerushalayim. The knowledge of Chumash, Mishnayos and Gemara that Jewish boys acquired in the previous generations is incomparable to what our boys in this generation are able to grasp. Before the Oral Law was written down, all of it had to be memorized not by rote but by reciting and understanding and internalizing the laws in a practical way. They got to practise what they learn because the Temple was standing. Today, we normally don't learn about the laws that don't apply to us without a Beis HaMikdash and we miss out on a lot.

A lot of food preparation for Pesach today is done mostly by the women of the household, but not so during the time of the Beis HaMikdash. The Pesach offering was prepared by the Jewish men who had to go into great lengths to roast it in a special way according to Halacha defined in the Written and Oral Torah. Roasting defined in the Torah is not the roasting that we do in our conventional oven.

The maps and illustrations detailing the various sections of the Beis HaMikdash, including the holy articles are invaluable. There is so much knowledge to be gained from this book, that it is a must have in a solid Jewish library.

This is a wonderful companion to Parashiyos Vayikra, Tzav, Shemini and the rest of Sefer Vayikra.

Seven Special Weeks

by Yaakov Meir Strauss

So begins the sequel to the acclaimed Three Special Days, where we first meet Naftali and experience with him the days leading up to the Festival of Pesach during the time of the Second Bais HaMikdash. In Seven Special Weeks, the second in the "Naftali in the Bais HaMikdash" series, we pick up where we left off as we stay in Yerushalayim with Naftali and his few friends during the seven weeks between Pesach and Shavuos.
Join ten boys from all over the world as they explore the ins and outs of the Bais HaMikdash - its layout, dimensions, and appearance - and watch the daily and various other sacrifices from up close. Witness the burning of the Parah Adumah, and listen to the metzora's sad tale. See how the offering of korbanos transforms those who bring them, as our sages have said: "The sanctity that permeates the very air of Yerushalayim and the sight of the Kohanim performing the holy service of the korbanos fill a person with tremendous yiras Shamayim."

One Special Prayer

by Yaakov Meir Strauss

The third book in the series takes us to the holiday of Yom Kippur, where we learn about the Kohen Gadol's special rituals and offerings on the most important day of the year.

A fascinating and wonderful book for kids and adults alike! Take a step into another world when the Bais Hamikdash stood and the Kohen Gadol performed the Avodah every Yom Kippur. With skill and through exhaustive research, the author brings to life the sensations and wonder of Yom Kippur in the days of old. Meet Naftali and Yitzchak as they describe the sights, sounds, and halachos that were experienced during the times of the Bais Hamikdash. This book will inspire, educate, and captivate all audiences.(302 Pages)

Even though we do not merit bringing Hashem's Shechina back to the Beis HaMikdash today, we hope to be able to learn all about the Beis HaMikdash, its sanctity, its laws pertaining to the offerings that Jews used to offer to HaKadosh Baruch Hu in the yesteryears, its glory, its architecture, and imagine a virtual tour in our mind and feel the inside of the Bais HaMikdash as we read through the stories in this fine invaluable book.

Our Sages say that learning the laws of the korbanos today and not forget about them is as though we are offering korbanos to Hashem today. We long for the Bais HaMikdash, we surely do, and no one can steal and take away this longing as long as we live and continue to spread our desire to the next generations. I really love this series of books as it beautifully weaves the halachic sources from Chumash with its explaination in the Mishna and Gemara and bring its applications to life.

The main focus of these stories is about Jewish boys and men and I wonder what the Jewish women of those days did in their love and performance of mitzvos. I look forward to a parallel series written with the Jewish girl and woman in mind and what their lives were during the times of the Beis HaMikdash and how they serve Hashem in those days.

May our yearning for and learning about the Beis Hamikdash and its laws merit bringing us the final redemption and Mashiach speedily in our generation. Amen.

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