[m., pl. “Batei Mikdash”]; holy Temple, spiritual center of the Jewish People. Three “Batei Mikdash” have played or, we believe, will soon play important roles in the Life of our People.
“Bayit Rishon” – the First Temple, built by Shelomo Hamelech, King Solomon, in Jerusalem, executing the idea of his father, David HaMelech, King David, in approximately the year 1000 B.C.E. and destroyed by the Babylonians in approx. the year 586 B.C.E.
“Bayit Sheni” – the Second Temple, built by Ezra, Nechemiah and Zerubavel, in approx. the year 516 B.C.E. with the permission of the Persian King Daryavesh, son of Queen Esther, and destroyed by the Romans in approx. the year 70 C.E.
“Bayit Shelishi” – the “Third Temple,” to be built by the Mashiach, “soon and in our days,” to serve as a spiritual center for the entire world, and never to be destroyed.