Rabbis Ariel and Richman represent the Temple Institute, founded in 1988 to “rekindle the flame of the Holy Temple in the hearts of mankind.” It houses a team of researchers of Temple-related subjects. This oversized book is a product of the Institute.

This is a reverent and stunningly beautiful coffee-table book, containing hundreds of pictures, richly annotated. I bought this while in Jerusalem, and I absolutely love it; no other book I’ve seen so evinces such a feeling of the Temple’s original splendor and atmosphere.

The subject is, of course, Herod’s Temple, the Temple visited by Jesus. Christians seem to have mixed feelings about the Temple and its rituals, but if you want to view its place in history from a Jewish viewpoint—including the sacred stories that preceded its building upon holy land—this book is a treasure. You’ll learn about Temple services, the sacred artifacts, the roles of both men and women, and the special ceremonies of the feast days of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kipper, Sukkot, the Passover, and Shavuot. (For the uninitiated, these are the festivals of the New Year, the Day of Atonement, the Feast of Booths/Tabernacles, the Passover, and the Feast of Weeks.) ( )

NO OF PAGES: 270 SUB CAT I: Temple SUB CAT II: SUB CAT III: DESCRIPTION: This book is the result of decades of research and study of life and service in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Details and intricacies of this amazing edifice have been evoked and captured in awe-inspiring paintings under the direction of Rabbi Israel Ariel, probably the greatest living authority on the subject. Arranged chronologically according to the cycle of the year, it is the best illustrated representation ever of daily life and rites in the Temple and the special ceremonies performed at festivals.NOTES: Purchased from CBD. SUBTITLE: