One more question on the subject of the "Lecha Dodi"

[mitzi]

"Facing east, the kohanim cover their heads with their taleitim, and at the verbal signal “Kohanim!” from the chazzan, they turn counterclockwise to face west, out over the congregation, and recite the blessing said before Birkat Kohanim."

My question is, Why counterclockwise?

and does the priestly blessing coincide with this statement:

The G–d of Israel appeared to Joshua and told him to circle the city with his army once each day for 6 days and 7 priests were to blow on shofars. On the 7th day, the wall would fall and Jericho would be captured. The Ark of the Covenant was carried behind the priests blowing the shofars. On the 7th day, as the G–d of Israel promised, the walls fell and Jericho was captured.

or more from this:


"G-d spoke to Moshe saying – speak to Aaron and to his sons and say to them – this is how you shall bless the nation of Israel…and you shall place My name on the nation of Israel and I will bless them" (ibid). Chazal (the sages) paralleled these three verses to the three patriarchs, as well as to the three highest mystical spheres – kindness, strength and beauty.

[mitzi]

"Facing east, the kohanim cover their heads with their taleitim, and at the verbal signal “Kohanim!” from the chazzan, they turn counterclockwise to face west, out over the congregation, and recite the blessing said before Birkat Kohanim."

My question is, Why counterclockwise?

and does the priestly blessing coincide with this statement:

The G–d of Israel appeared to Joshua and told him to circle the city with his army once each day for 6 days and 7 priests were to blow on shofars. On the 7th day, the wall would fall and Jericho would be captured. The Ark of the Covenant was carried behind the priests blowing the shofars. On the 7th day, as the G–d of Israel promised, the walls fell and Jericho was captured.

or more from this:


"G-d spoke to Moshe saying – speak to Aaron and to his sons and say to them – this is how you shall bless the nation of Israel…and you shall place My name on the nation of Israel and I will bless them" (ibid). Chazal (the sages) paralleled these three verses to the three patriarchs, as well as to the three highest mystical spheres – kindness, strength and beauty.


I found two excellent websites, if anyone is interested!

Birkat Kohanim:

http://hamikdash.blogspot.com/

and,

http://www.cohen-levi.org/

I'm still going to read up on this, but if anyone can help out, I would really appreciate it. Thanks Mitzi

[Goose]

Maybe counterclockwise, because the kohanim must take into account the North on the journey to face the west. North is mystically important as it symbolizes hiding and treasures, as well as mercy(Chesed) and strength(Gevurah) from the right side(depends on perception) of Elohim.

Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Tzion in the north, the city of the great king. Elohim, in her palaces, has made Himself known as a stronghold - Mizmor 48:2

The Bahir reasons that it's both mercy and strength, in that it shows strength to show mercy.

Sacrifices of higher sanctity are slaughtered on the north [side of the Temple], and their blood is received in the north in service vessels. If he stood in the south, stretched out his hand to the north and slaughtered, his slaughtering is valid. - Bavli Talmud Zevachim 26a

Many of HaShem's punishements and rewards come from the north.

In Hebrew, north and hiding are both spelled with a tzadi peh nun. The covering of the eyes, is tzadi peh heh. All very similar.

So, to me, Kohanim turning from east to north then west, means that the Kohanim are to invest and lay treasures for Israel in the the spiritual Tzion, and also disperse it. For us, as a practical teaching, this means to do good when HaShem tells us to without making a big deal about it(hide it), thereby investing it, where HaShem will disperse it as treasure in its time.

[mitzi]

Maybe counterclockwise, because the kohanim must take into account the North on the journey to face the west. North is mystically important as it symbolizes hiding and treasures, as well as mercy(Chesed) and strength(Gevurah) from the right side(depends on perception) of Elohim.

Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Tzion in the north, the city of the great king. Elohim, in her palaces, has made Himself known as a stronghold - Mizmor 48:2

The Bahir reasons that it's both mercy and strength, in that it shows strength to show mercy.

Sacrifices of higher sanctity are slaughtered on the north [side of the Temple], and their blood is received in the north in service vessels. If he stood in the south, stretched out his hand to the north and slaughtered, his slaughtering is valid. - Bavli Talmud Zevachim 26a

Many of HaShem's punishements and rewards come from the north.

In Hebrew, north and hiding are both spelled with a tzadi peh nun. The covering of the eyes, is tzadi peh heh. All very similar.

So, to me, Kohanim turning from east to north then west, means that the Kohanim are to invest and lay treasures for Israel in the the spiritual Tzion, and also disperse it. For us, as a practical teaching, this means to do good when HaShem tells us to without making a big deal about it(hide it), thereby investing it, where HaShem will disperse it as treasure in its time.


Many thanks! Goose

Also, I noticed this verse: from http://hamikdash.blogspot.com/

The Kohanim gathered on the twelve steps at the entrance to the Heichel to give the Blessing of the Kohanim. In the Mikdash, Kohanim raised their arms straight up above their heads while reciting the Blessing. The Blessing in the Mikdash was done with the Explicit Name of God, though it was uttered in a concealed manner. The Blessing was said as one unit and the people present answered, “Blessed is Hashem, God of Israel, in this world and all worlds forever,” rather than Amen.

Around the altar, and I read it somewhere, that the Kohan circles it seven times, is this correct? when he sprinkles the blood? I need to look for that website.

Again Thanks
Mitzi

[mitzi]

Also a note about the First Temple: (which was interesting)


When King Solomon constructed the First Temple, he knew through Divine Inspiration that it would come to be destroyed. He prepared, therefore, hidden chambers below the Temple floor to protect the Holy Ark and Temple vessels. Shortly before the Babylonian invasion, King Yoshiahu ordered the Ark and other holy objects to be hidden in these underground chambers. During the Second Temple, the Holy Ark did not reappear.

and,



. Though the practice of the Temple Service seems remote to the modern mind, in time it will be reestablished once again in its place. The Prophet Ezekiel describes the floorplan for the future Temple. Clearly, the promises of God will not go unfulfilled and the Torah which commands the service will not be abrogated and the millennia of prayers of our people will not go unanswered.

As we say in the Musaf prayer of Rosh Chodesh: “A new Altar in Zion will be established and Offerings will be brought upon it. In the Service of the Holy Temple, we shall all rejoice, and the songs (Psalms) of David, Your servant, will be heard in Your city, as they are recited before Your Altar.

“May You bring us to Zion, Your city in joy, to Jerusalem, Your Holy Temple, with everlasting gladness. There we will perform before You our obligatory Offerings, the Korban Tamid in its proper order, and the Additional Offerings, according to their laws...”

[Goose]

Also a note about the First Temple: (which was interesting)


When King Solomon constructed the First Temple, he knew through Divine Inspiration that it would come to be destroyed. He prepared, therefore, hidden chambers below the Temple floor to protect the Holy Ark and Temple vessels. Shortly before the Babylonian invasion, King Yoshiahu ordered the Ark and other holy objects to be hidden in these underground chambers. During the Second Temple, the Holy Ark did not reappear.

I'm actually working on a odd-ball theory about this. Could you please give me sources concerning this? I have a theory that the 2nd Temple objects that were carried away by Romans were not the original objects of the 1st Temple. Thank you, Mitzi! Yom tov.

[mitzi]

I'm actually working on a odd-ball theory about this. Could you please give me sources concerning this? I have a theory that the 2nd Temple objects that were carried away by Romans were not the original objects of the 1st Temple. Thank you, Mitzi! Yom tov.

Shalom Goose and Happy Yom Kippur!

You and another person (I know) are working on the "objects" taken. I should try and get that person here on line....he's incredible. Also, thanks for the information that you provide in the previous post.


You know I think Dead.Hobbit would know the person I'm speaking of (he's on the MSN board--Middle Eastern Forum). Also, I think Dead. Hobbit would have more of a "pull" with this person then I would. But I will give it a "go"...and Goose you would find him a very interesting person to converse with on this subject. From what I understand "pieces" missing are under debate with the vatican and the "will" of Pope Paul before he died.

[mitzi]

I'm actually working on a odd-ball theory about this. Could you please give me sources concerning this? I have a theory that the 2nd Temple objects that were carried away by Romans were not the original objects of the 1st Temple. Thank you, Mitzi! Yom tov.

Well, in my letter to you acouple of days ago I haven't heard anything back. So I'm going to give you some information that might help you along the way.

Temple Institute with websites


http://www.templeinstitute.org/about.htm

About the vessels: check the two websites below (over 60 vessels have been restored)

http://www.templeinstitute.org/about.htm#research

about the vessels: see the website below (with pictures)

http://www.templeinstitute.org/gallery.htm

and about the blue robe: see the website below

http://www.templeinstitute.org/meil_techelet.htm


http://www.templeinstitute.org/statement.htm

Listed articles: see the website below

http://www.templeinstitute.org/articles.htm

and temple talk: see the below website:

http://www.templeinstitute.org/multimedia.htm

http://www.kadosh.co.il/sukkot.html

http://www.kadosh.co.il/mindex1.html

http://www.kadosh.co.il/ascent.html

Additional links:

http://www.kadosh.co.il/links.html

and last (page down to this article)

SHEYIBANEH BEIT HAMIKDASH...
The Floor Sanctifies…

http://www.ou.org/torah/tt/5764/vaera64/print.htm

I would give you more but I think you can find the information through one of them. Goose, I will be taking a leave of absence from the board for awhile but just to let you & everyone know...."You're great people to converse with" and that I've learn so much from both theology 201 and Judaism. Thank you so much and take good care....including you Mr P.

Bye for now
Mitzi

[mitzi]

Well, in my letter to you acouple of days ago I haven't heard anything back. So I'm going to give you some information that might help you along the way.

Temple Institute with websites


http://www.templeinstitute.org/about.htm

About the vessels: check the two websites below (over 60 vessels have been restored)

http://www.templeinstitute.org/about.htm#research

about the vessels: see the website below (with pictures)

http://www.templeinstitute.org/gallery.htm

and about the blue robe: see the website below

http://www.templeinstitute.org/meil_techelet.htm


http://www.templeinstitute.org/statement.htm

Listed articles: see the website below

http://www.templeinstitute.org/articles.htm

and temple talk: see the below website:

http://www.templeinstitute.org/multimedia.htm

http://www.kadosh.co.il/sukkot.html

http://www.kadosh.co.il/mindex1.html

http://www.kadosh.co.il/ascent.html

Additional links:

http://www.kadosh.co.il/links.html

and last (page down to this article)

SHEYIBANEH BEIT HAMIKDASH...
The Floor Sanctifies…

http://www.ou.org/torah/tt/5764/vaera64/print.htm

I would give you more but I think you can find the information through one of them. Goose, I will be taking a leave of absence from the board for awhile but just to let you & everyone know...."You're great people to converse with" and that I've learn so much from both theology 201 and Judaism. Thank you so much and take good care....including you Mr P.

Bye for now
Mitzi

Sorry Goose, just one more

http://www.britam.org/ezekiel/chapter40.html

or just:

http://www.britam.org

No more (that's it) :eek:

[Goose]

Thank you, Mitzi. That's a great help. My main focus is on the base of the Menorah. I don't understand why it's octagonal. I can't find a reason anywhere in Jewish writings that it's supposed to have a octagonal base. Yet, it does seem to have 3 small legs.

[mitzi]

Thank you, Mitzi. That's a great help. My main focus is on the base of the Menorah. I don't understand why it's octagonal. I can't find a reason anywhere in Jewish writings that it's supposed to have a octagonal base. Yet, it does seem to have 3 small legs.


http://www.templeinstitute.org/menorah.htm

See above website, the question that you had on the Menorah is listed under under details and construction. I can't copy and paste because of the copy rights.


also Goose, when your done reading look at the next website I found...it's really interesting. ..click on each picture down below and you'll see more pictures.... (Judaic artwork)

http://www.artcnet.com/Elyah_Succot/ARTcnet_Presents_Elyah_Succot.html

also, I hope the Temple Institute website was helpful...on locating additional information on the Menorah.


Again, I will be off the board.

Take Care
Mitzi

[mitzi]

http://www.templeinstitute.org/menorah.htm

See above website, the question that you had on the Menorah is listed under under details and construction. I can't copy and paste because of the copy rights.


also Goose, when your done reading look at the next website I found...it's really interesting. ..click on each picture down below and you'll see more pictures.... (Judaic artwork)

http://www.artcnet.com/Elyah_Succot/ARTcnet_Presents_Elyah_Succot.html

also, I hope the Temple Institute website was helpful...on locating additional information on the Menorah.


Again, I will be off the board.

Take Care
Mitzi

ok, so I'm getting ready to go off the board. I found some really "good" websites to read...Please read (not only the first website but the 2nd website, as well)


Yerech (the base of the Menorah) = thigh

Parashat VaYishlach 5763 (read where it states: Let us reconnect ... and there's your answer)

http://www.torathateva.org/torah_archives/Vayishlach5763.html



*************


Teruma
The Golden Menorah of the Mishkan – A Tree of Light

http://www.jafi.org.il/education/torani/nehardeah/truma.html


The recognition of the vitality of the almond tree is expressed in the vision of Jeremiah, who was “one of the priests who were in Anatot” (Jeremiah 1:1): “And God’s word came to me saying: What do you see Jeremiah? And I said: a rod of an almond tree (shaked) I see. And Hashem said to me: You have seen well, as I will strive (shakod) over my words to do them” (1:11-12). The almond wood rod in the vision symbolizes the speed at which Hashem’s word becomes realized.


*************
The Kodesh - Inner Sanctuary

http://www.chabad.org/holidays/3weeks/temple/tour/article.asp?AID=144735


*********

Well, anyway, it's time to sign off. Oh! now for the favor, could you look at the theology 201 board under...Has YHWH fulfilled His Promises to the Israelites/Jews? There's a member on the board who's really looking for an answer to a difficult question regarding the Third Temple...and I think the Laws of Inheritance (Abraham). Goose, (or anyone) You really explain things better than me/I. When you have the time.....do you think you could help out?

Many Thanks....and I'll stop in when I can.
Mitzi