Devar/5768/Terumah
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And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them. (Ex 25:8)
Rambam counts building the Temple as a positive commandment (Positive Commandment 20), and he says: it is a positive commandment to build a house for God, prepared for offerings to be brought, and where there are festivals three times a year -- as the verse says, "And let them make Me a sanctuary" (Ex 25:8); and the Torah already elaborated on the sanctuary which Moses our teacher made, and that one was temporary -- as the verse says, "for ye are not as yet come to the rest" (Deut 12:9). (Laws of the Chosen House 1:1)
In contrast, Rashi explains (Sukkah 41a) that the Temple has already been built by God, and it exists and is ready for the future. At the appropriate time, it will descend to Earth and we will immediately be able to use it. This is how he explains the verse, Thou hast made for Thee to dwell in, the sanctuary, O Lord (Ex 15:17).
Both approaches have far-reaching consequences. According to the approach of Rashi, there is no need to begin the work of preparing the Temple, because when God wants, he will reveal it to us, ready to be used. Likewise, there is no need to prepare space for it, to build foundations for it, to gather building materials or even to make the holy vessels. According to the Rambam's approach, we have a national obligation -- as the People of Israel -- to prepare the Temple with our own hands. And the King Messiah, may he come soon, he will cause the people to build it.
Whether it comes prepared and whole from Heaven, or through the actions of our righteous Messiah, may it be His will that the Temple be built speedily in our days, and we merit to see Jerusalem rebuilt.
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