SHEYIBANEH BEIT HAMIKDASH...
A series of articles on Beit HaMikdash-related topics by Catriel Sugarman intended to increase the knowledge, interest, and anticipation of the reader, thereby hastening the realization of our hopes and prayers for the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the Beit HaMikdash.

Distance Learning at the Mikdash!
The rain had stopped. The Tamid Shel Boker had been sacrificed and now it would be the turn of Am Yisrael to offer their Korbanot. Unknown to the ever-increasing number of jostling people in the Azara nudging their way forward to get a "good" place in line after the sacrificing of the Tamid, there also was a minor exodus from the Azara. The Segan and his administrative staff, Meir Hakohein, Zacharia (the patriarch of Beit Avtinas), choirmaster Hugros ben Levi, members of the Sanhedrin and of the Beit Din Shel Kohanim, in short, all the "movers and shakers" of the Mikdash Community, were leaving the Azara and proceeding to the cavernous conference room on Har Habayit. It was said that even the Kohein Gadol himself was planning to make an appearance. There was a real air of excitement and anticipation as the spacious room filled up. With difficulty, the Segan and Meir Hakohein pushed their way in and succeeding in reaching the massive conference table and assuming their seats at the head. A number of chairs near the head of the table were left vacant for the guests of honor, the members of Mikdash Committee for Distance Education (MCDE). It was rumored that their preliminary report would be sensational!

A bit of background: Two years before, the Segan had authorized the MCDE to establish a revolutionary project - a pilot study to examine the use of the internet to maintain close contact with Kohanim outside of the "Mikdash Community", especially those residing in Chutz La'aretz. Everyone in the Mikdash community understood that there was a problem. The Mikdash community needed to keep in close contact with Kohanim around the world and educate them in their priestly heritage, theoretical and practical. Even experienced Mikdash-Shlichim and their families abroad admitted a certain inevitable disconnection with the Mikdash while they were serving in Chutz La'aretz. Worse, when their children returned to Eretz Yisrael, they frequently had difficulty reintegrating into the Mikdash Yeshivot. Ein Torah K'Torat Eretz Yisrael! The Yeshivot in Chutz La'aretz are just not the same! There is an essential ingredient missing! Increasingly, the question arose in the Mikdash Community. Would it be possible to exploit the new developing technologies available for distance education to address the problem? The prophecy Ki MiTzion Teitzei Torah Ud'var Hashem Mirushalayim would take on an even greater importance!

Some two years ago, a "chance" remark eventually led the Segan, Meir Hakohein and a few "visionaries" from the Mikdash computer department to the plasma screen-lined spartan office of Chaya Devora, the legendary expert in the fast developing field of distance education. Flanked by humming banks of computers, Chaya Devora leaned back and attentively listened as the Mikdash delegation outlined their concerns. Could the new field of distance education effectively meet their needs? Chaya Devora nodded and said, "Basically, there are two kinds of distance education; synchronous and asynchronous. In synchronous distance education (SDL), those registered in an on-line course simultaneously log into the same site and listen to the teacher 'together' even though they are physically in different locations. The advantage of SDL is that, if used properly, it can almost approximate a classroom atmosphere, thereby creating a real feeling of community and 'presence'. Use of a special program developed here in Eretz Yisrael allows the students seated at their computers all over the world not only to listen, but also to speak and ask questions. The student's questions are heard by all the other participants, thereby adding to the sensation of being present in an actual classroom. The way it works is as follows: by clicking on an icon, a student can 'raise his hand' in order to request permission to speak. Once permission is granted, the student can ask his questions by speaking into his microphone. The lecture is broadcast live as a web cast; if desired, the lecture can be stored on a website and viewed later 'on demand'. The undeniable disadvantage of SDL is that it can be very difficult to organize, the technical requirements are formidable and expensive, and remember: people who live in different parts of the world also live in different time zones. An asynchronous setup, on the other hand, is much more flexible and easier to set up and run.

Participants log in at their own convenience and download previously uploaded materials. These materials can include text, pictures, PowerPoint presentations with or without recorded narration and audio recordings. Online quizzes can also be included in order to test the participant's knowledge and understanding of the material being presented. The danger of the asynchronous approach is that the individual participant may feel isolated. This feeling can be somewhat mitigated by various approaches such as discussion groups and text or audio chat sessions that build an online community. To meet your specific needs - the needs of the Mikdash - I would suggest a system that incorporates the best of both methodologies. Now, I ask you, what do we want to accomplish?" "Well", the Segan answered, "we want to impart basic information and we want to create a feeling of a world-wide Mikdash community." Meir Hakohein added, "Above all, we want to convey to our people in Chutz La'aretz the "Chavaya" - a bit of the ambiance - of the Mikdash and as much as possible make the Mikdash part of their daily lives."

Facing her audience, Chaya Devora challenged them to expand their horizons. "Imagine an 'on-line Yeshiva' bridging the gap between the Mikdash and the Galut with on-going shiurim with interaction between Magidei Shiur and their far-flung students. In addition, students from all over the world could learn with a Chevruta from the Mikdash community! Basic information can be imparted by various self-learning programs available at any time. There are an infinite number of possibilities! For the Shiurim, the pre-registered Kohanim in Chu''l simply turn on their computers, connect to the internet at the designated time, put on their headsets and instantly they will be 'in' the Beit Midrash on Har Habayit! The on-line Magid Shiur will greet them and they will respond. A Kohein sitting on Har Habayit will reach out and teach his students scattered from Monsey to Melbourne!

Alternatively, picture the impact when the Kohein Gadol broadcasts his weekly shiur online to a global audience and people can ask him questions LIVE. I envision the broadcast of the Tamid on the internet accompanied by the Meshor'rim. Imagine if you will, separate self-study modules for each Korban, containing PowerPoint presentations, video recordings, Mekorot, and quizzes. There would an Olah module, a Chatat Module, etc." So mesmerized were the attendees comprising the Mikdash leadership by her presentation that they did not even notice when the Kohein Gadol came into the room! That was two years ago. Now once again, the Mikdash administration was assembled. This time they came together to hear of the stunning success of the pilot project. <to be continued>

Catriel's book in progress: The Temple of Jerusalem, A Pilgrim’s Perspective; A Guided Tour through the Temple and the Divine Service