The government has quietly called for training two hundred thousand men in the procedures of Temple service. One hundred fifty thousand have already enrolled. This comes as Israel continues daily operations against Hamas terrorists and internal debates over priorities on the Temple Mount. Sixteen years after the exiles returned from Babylon the work on the House of GOD had stalled while the people paneled their own homes. Into that moment the prophet Haggai delivered a direct message from Hashem.

The Question of Readiness

How does a nation resume the service when the priesthood remains naive in execution and the people must first master every detail from the daily offering to the procedures assigned by lot? The answer lies in the pattern given through the prophets and the assurance that accompanies obedient preparation.

How Hashem Commands the Tamid

The daily tamid offering required more than priests performing rites in isolation. Hashem commanded that every Jew participate as the actual offerer through the ma’amad, the men of the station. Twenty four divisions rotated representatives from each district. A minimum of ten adult males from each district stood in the Court of Israel and declared the offering aloud.

The Tosefta Ta’anit records their words. We are the emissaries of Israel. This offering is from us and from all Israel. The kohen responded Blessed is Hashem. He accepts you.

This was no symbolic gesture. The Bible states the obligation clearly. This is the offering by fire which you shall offer to the Lord two lambs of the first year without blemish day by day for a continual burnt offering. The one lamb you shall offer in the morning and the other lamb you shall offer at dusk (Numbers 28:3-4).

The language you shall offer addresses the entire nation not the kohanim and Levites alone. Hashem placed the duty squarely on the people of Israel. The ma’amad fulfilled that command. Hundreds stood on ordinary days. More filled the courts on festivals. Rotation........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)