What would Hanukah be without the Beit Hamikdash? The very word "hanukah" means dedication and it was the rededication of the Beit HaMikdash and the restoration of the service of kindling the menorah lights with pure oil which stands at the center of the holiday.
As a consequence, at this time of year, Jews are especially prone to having their heartstrings tugged by appeals like the one portrayed in the Temple Institute's new video: Just in Time for Chanukah: Holy Temple Myth Busters: Part I - Introduction.
But, despite what the video wants us to believe, and as much as we wish the time were right, the reality for those without tunnel-vision on this subject says clearly that we cannot and we should not attempt to build the Holy Temple now.
Quoting Rav Tzvi Yehuda Kook in Torat Eretz Israel, p. 283:
When people approach me with this proposition [to rebuild the Temple], I say: ...Just as there is a precept to build the Temple, there is a sequence to its fulfillment. The Gemara says, "Israel was commanded with three precepts when they entered the Land: To appoint a King; to annihilate the seed of Amalek; and to build Hashem's chosen house. And the Gemara continues, And how do I know which comes first? You have to say raise up a King. And how do I know whether to build the Temple first, or to annihilate the seed of Amalek? You have to say first annihilate the seed of Amalek. The Gemara is speaking of the initial entry into the Land and of the construction of the first temple, but the Rambam decides that this is generally true. 'Israel was commanded with three precepts upon entering the Land...the King's appointment precedes the war with Amalek, and the annihilation of Amalek precedes the building of the Temple.' This is a clear order not a haphazard arrangement."It makes perfect, logical sense. First, we have to have a REAL Jewish government, not a Hellenized imposter. And that government must defeat and remove the enemy who holds sway on the Temple Mount. Only when the Arabs are gone and the Dome is gone and the government rules according to Torah Law, will a HOLY Temple which can never again be destroyed be built. And, yes, that will very likely only be during Mashiach's time (which is not so far off).
Until then, the only kind of Temple we will see built on Har Habayit will be some kind of perverted, UNholy structure dedicated to humanity and their New World Religion. God forbid!! Would we really want to see Women of the Wall carrying on at the Holy Temple as they do at the Western Wall? Would we really want to see the Holy Temple standing a half-mile from the annual Pride Parade? God forbid!!
When the previous two Temples were built, there were still prophets in our Land. We had strong, righteous, recognized leaders. Mattityahu HaChashmonai was the Cohen Gadol! Today, "most of the rabbis are from the Erev Rav"!
I want to see and experience the world that has the Beit Hamikdash at the center of it, but as it says in Shir HaShirim: "...do not stir up, do not arouse love, until it please."
