The Temple Institute: Articles: Moving the Menorah Opposite the Temple Mount

On the seventh night of Chanuka, (Tevet 2/December 10), The Temple Institute hosted a gala dedication ceremony honoring the golden menora in its new, (temporary), location overlooking the Temple Mount. The proceedings began, appropriately, at the Wohl Herodian Museum, an actual archaeological restoration of a second Temple priest's residence, where, following evening prayer, Rabbi Yisrael Ariel, head of the Temple Institute lit the chanukia, and Mica Harrari performed briefly on the King David's Lyre, a recent addition to the Institute's collection of Temple vessels and musical instruments.

This was followed by various speeches and blessings made by Israel's Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger, Rabbi Ariel, Temple Institute Director Yehuda Glick, and Nissim Arazi and Gilad Bar Adon of the Jewish Quarter Development Company. Among the guests were Rabbi Mordechai Shmuel Ashkenazi of Kfar Chabad, reknowned archaeologists Meir Ben Dov and Jon Zeligman of the Antiquities Authority, and Aryeh Khan, former Secretary of the Israel Knesset. Also present were master gold artisan Ya'akok Davidov, who beautifully restored the menora in preparation for its new location, and master goldsmith Chaim Odem who originally designed the menora.

Special guest of honor, Mr. Oleg Rabinovitch was in the audience, representing both himself and his father Vadim, the inspiration and benefactor whose vision and generosity made the building of the golden menora possible some seven years ago. Mr. Rabinovitch was presented with a beautiful piece of original art.

Special words of thanks and appreciation were given by Yehuda Glick to the Touchel family, whose generosity is enabling the Temple Institute to publish a four hundred page book about the golden menora, encompassing all aspects of the menora, from when its construction was first commanded to Moses in the desert, to the tremendous research that was involved in creating the present menora. The book is dedicated to the memory of the Touchel's son Pri-El, who died tragically last Chanuka, may his memory be for a blessing.

At the conclusion of the speeches refreshments were served, after which the gathering of some two hundred people proceeded outdoors to the new location of the golden menora, alongside the Rabbi Yehuda Halevi staircase which leads from the Jewish Quarter to the Western Wall Plaza and the Temple Mount. Tekiyot and truot trumpet blasts were sounded by two trumpeters stationed in front the new glass encasement designed specially for the golden menora, after which the blue velvet covering was lifted, and the menora was unveiled for all to see.

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