SHEYIBANEH BEIT HAMIKDASH... Meir Hakohein Answers Questions, Live! Meir Hakohein answers. “The logistical planning to meet the requirements of the Olei Regel who will be ascending to Yerushalyim and the Mikdash for Sukkot began two weeks after the end of Pesach. Unfortunately, this year many of the logistical problems connected with the Regel had their origin in the malfunctioning of a particularly important and highly recommended subcommittee made up of ‘experts’. Unfortunately, this committee consistently grossly under-estimated the number of expected Olei Regel and their needs. The Segan in no way absolves himself from at least partial responsibility since, at first, he accepted their faulty prognostications. Finally realizing their updates were unsubstantiated and erroneous, he unilaterally terminated their contract. Though the Chag was rapidly approaching, by means of what I could only call super-human effort, the Segan and his newly appointed staff of planners and logisticians, together with the unfailing cooperation of literally thousands of people, turned a potential disaster into a real success. I am honored to have had the privilege of working closely with our Segan for many years. He is a man of exceptional talent and dedication. Despite a shaky start, in the end, NO Oleh Regel remained in a state of impurity, no OlehRegel lacked a roof over his head during the Chag, and no Oleh Regel lacked a sacrificial animal, Arba Minim or S’chach for his Sukka. I believe that Ish Lo Amar ‘Tzar Li HaMakom She’alin Birushalyim’.” Reuven stood up. “Meir, my two questions for you today relate to how you understand how modern technology will affect the checking of the sacrificial animals in the Beit Hamikdash. 1. Might it not be that rather than manually checking each animal for blemishes and disqualifying marks using torches and even flashlights, the Kohanim will have some sort of sophisticated full-body-scanning x-ray machine? Programmed to spot bone breaks, blood spots in the eye and even punctures in the lungs, there will be no need for a time-consuming manual inspection. In a second or two, by looking at his monitor, the Kohein will get a green okay light from the computer or a loud buzz with a red flashing light sending the animal to the "disqualified animal bullpen". What are your thoughts on this? 2. Much of the post-slaughter activities such as removing various internal organs and so on were done with a knife. Could more sophisticated and efficient utensils or implements be used or are we limited to the equipment they had in earlier times? I am thinking about the use of electrical saws and cutters, etc. which would be more efficient and faster.” Meir replied: “The question of the role of modern technology in the Mikdash continues to divide the Sanhedrin. The ‘purists’, if you will, are faithful to the techniques described in the Mishna. The ‘modernists’ would have no problem using a full-body-scanning x-ray machine to inspect the sacrificial animals. These Sages contend that just as the Kohanim in Bayit Sheini used the technology available to them, we should be free to use the technology available to us. While there is merit in both points of view, I am hardly the one to decide. This is the role of the Sanhedrin sitting in the Lishkat Hagazit ‘from whence Torah goes forth...’.However, I will say this. Early this morning, the Kohanim visually inspected the morning Tamid. For illumination, they did not use flashlights, they used torches! “ From A.C. “Were OLEI REGEL on their way to the Mikdash ready standing in the aisles on the trans-Atlantic fights to Jerusalem before Sukkot? Second question. Were there enough animals for Korbanot in Yerushalayim?" Meir Hakohein answered. “Trans-Atlantic passengers standing in the aisles? No, that could never happen. No airline ever fills up an aircraft with more people than it has seats. It is too dangerous and it is against the law everywhere. True, there were “persistent rumors” to that effect, but, the airlines denied them. The spokesmen for the airlines in their pontifical way, claimed that this “malicious calumny simply was an impossibility” and I believe them. The important thing is despite the incredible numbers of Olei Regel, there were no major mishaps and even the amount of luggage lost was infinitesimal. All the major airlines have agreed to add more flights during the week before and after Pesach, Haba Aleinu Letova. Istrack will bring them to Jerusalem from the airports as quickly and easily as possible. Similarly, we will find ways of cutting down the bureaucratic hassle! As for your second question. Is Yerushalayim is in the middle of the jungle? Do you think that the Olei Regel have to bring sheep and goats from Monsey? There are plenty of sacrificial animals for them right here in Yerushalayim!” A Rav asked: “Meir, there are myriads of non-Jews, Bnei Noach, who want to bring Korbanot to the Beit Hamikdash. Since we obviously want to give priority to Jews, we need to make a decision as to how to deal with the large volume of requests. Should we instruct them as to how to bring Korbanot where they live? Should we ask them to organize themselves according to their communities, with a representative sending a Korban to the Mikdash for the entire community?” Meir replied. “It is not generally known that the Rambam rules that non-Jews may build altars and sacrifice to G-d anywhere they choose. While a Yisrael may not physically help them, he IS permitted to instruct them (Ma’asei Hakorbanot 19:16). The Mishneh Lemelech adds that they may sacrifice domestic animals, wild animals and birds as long as they are ‘pure’ ("kosher"). Bnei Noach may send Olot to the Beit Hamikdash individually or as a community. However, since today, ever-increasing numbers of Bnei Noach aspire to ascend to Jerusalem themselves, we must take this into account and make provisions for them. Yeshayahu (56:7) already foresaw this extraordinary phenomenon 2500 years ago when he prophesied, “I will bring them to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices willingly shall I accept on My altar. For my house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.” It is for us to help these faithful people in their spiritual quest.” Catriel's book in progress: The Temple of Jerusalem, A Pilgrim’s Perspective; A Guided Tour through the Temple and the Divine Service [The
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