If Jerusalem is the focal point of the Land of Israel, the Temple was certainly the central feature of Jerusalem. The first Temple, built by King Solomon, stood for 410 years until Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians destroyed it. Seventy years later, the Second Temple was built by Ezra & Nehemiah who returned to Israel from the Babylonian exile. This temple stood for 420 years until it was razed by the Roman legion under the Emperor Titus.

The Temple was a unique structure. It was based on the Mishkan, or Sanctuary, that accompanied the Children of Israel during their wanderings in the desert. God commanded the Israelites: "They shall make me a sanctuary, and I will dwell inside them." God guaranteed that through this Tabernacle, His presence would dwell in the people's midst.

If we consider that almost half of the Book of Exodus is devoted to a description of the building of the Tabernacle, we can understand how important a role this Sanctuary played. The Mishkan, as it was known, was meant to be a microcosm of Creation. It was meant to teach that everyone has a responsibility to elevate and sanctify all of creation and that all are partners with God in bringing holiness to the world.

Aside from the general commandment to build a sanctuary, there was a command to build a permanent Temple: "You shall seek [God's] habitation" (Deuteronomy 12:5). This was accomplished in the days of David and Solomon, once God gave "rest from... [surrounding] enemies."

The Temple was characterized by the Great Altar upon which sacrifices were offered. Today, the prayer platform in synagogues parallels this altar. On the holiday of Sukkot (Festival of Tabernacles) we march around this platform just as people once marched around the Great Altar in the Temple.

The inner chamber of the Temple contained three main features. One was the Menorah - a huge seven-branched candelabra - the middle lamp of which burned constantly as an eternal light. The 'everlasting' lamp that burns in front of the Ark in synagogues today, mirrors this Eternal Light. The other two features of the inner chamber were the Golden Altar for incense and a special table on which show-bread was placed.

Past this chamber was the Holy of Holies, the innermost chamber and the focal point of the Temple. So great was its holiness, that only the High Priest could enter it during the Yom Kippur Service. This was a dramatic ceremony and Jews from all over the world would gather in Jerusalem to see the High Priest emerge in peace after having worshipped in this inner sanctuary.

In the center of the Holy of Holies stood the Ark of the Covenant, made of wood covered with gold. In it were the most sacred objects: the two Tablets inscribed with the Ten Commandments, and the original Torah that Moses had written as dictated by God. The Ark is since lost, having been concealed in the time of Josiah before the Babylonian invasion. Yet its presence is surely felt today as we stand in the shadow of the remaining Western Wall, all that is left of the Temple today.

More than just a monument or a place for ritual service, the Temple served as the seat of the Great Sanhedrin in "the place chosen by God." The seventy members of this prestigious council served as the Supreme Court and central legislative body for all Israel. The Sanhedrin also comprised teachers whose function was the preservation, interpretation and teaching of the Oral Tradition.

In the hall of the Sanhedrin, both study and prayer took place, serving to complement the sacrifices. All the activities took place on Mount Moriah, the Hebrew translation of which implies both "awe" (yirah) and teaching (hora'ah) - quite aptly describing the experiences of the thousands of pilgrims and visitors who flocked to Jerusalem to bring their sacrifices and hear the words of the renowned Rabbis of the time.