A7 Radio's "Temple Talk" with Temple Talk

This week, we conclude the Book of Bamidbar (Numbers) with the double portions of Mattot and Masai. Among the many diverse themes in these Torah portions is a detailed review of all the encampments of the Children of Israel throughout their 40 year desert sojourn. We know that every lesson recorded by the Torah is relevant to us today. But what possible significance do these journeys have for us? Plenty! We are actually reading the map of our own life-journey; every human being’s life is filled with Divinely-appointed journeys of all sorts… we are constantly traveling towards our own destiny, and living the dreams of our forefathers. So go ahead; travel down the road and knock on the door… it will be opened by yourself! Sounds crazy? Listen to this week’s Temple Talk, considered by Yitzchak Reuven and Rabbi Richman to be their best show ever!

Our inimitable hosts also reflect upon the “bad rap” which these Three Weeks of Temple-consciousness have received. Everybody seems to think these are exclusively days of mourning, bleak, foreboding days that we just want to get over with so we can get on with our lives. Actually, these days are the highest, brightest, holiest days of the entire year; days when we are invited to “pursue G-d” and literally catch the rays of holiness and make them our own. Just as Pinchas/Eliyahu, the forerunner of the great Redemption, is himself a reflection of the light of redemption, so too, these days are a composite of the coming light of the High Holy Days. These days will set the tone of our lives for the entire year… but it all depends upon how we really feel about the Holy Temple and its lack.

Plus: Is Diaspora Jewry repeating the mistake of Reuben and Gad (Numbers 32) by making their material possessions a higher priority than their own children? Listen to Yitzchak and Rabbi’s heartfelt, heated Aliya rant on this week’s unforgettable Temple Talk!

This Week's Temple Institute Video Teachings:

Rabbi Chaim Richman is the international director of the Temple Institute in Jerusalem which is dedicated to rebuilding the Holy Temple (Beit HaMikdash). He is a member of the current effort to revive the Sanhedrin and the author of ten books including Mystery of the Red Heifer and A House of Prayer for All Nations. Yitzchak Reuven works at the Temple Institute in Jerusalem. He previously worked building Biblical harps and other musical instruments for use in the Holy Temple. He and Rabbi Chaim Richman have been friends since their Israeli army days. They host the Temple Talk podcast dealing with issues of the Temple Mount and the weekly Torah parsha every Tuesday from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Israel time (10am U.S. EST) on Israel National Radio.