Red Heifer: Coming of the Messiah?

[Bernard Gui]

I have pointed to the Temple Institute of Jerusalem a number of times on this board because I am interested in following a group of Jews who are seriously preparing for the coming of Messiah. This week they announced the birth of a red heifer that potentially could be a very significant portent of that great event.

Quote

Red Heifer Candidate Born in Israel

On the 17th day of Elul, 5778, (August 28, 2018), a red heifer was born in the land of Israel. The red heifer candidate is being raised and specially cared for under the auspices of the Temple Institute's 'Raise a Red Heifer' program.

One week after its birth the heifer underwent an extensive examination by rabbinical experts, who determined that the heifer is currently a viable candidate for the Biblical red heifer (para aduma) described in Numbers, chapter 19, and will be examined again in three months time to determine whether it continues to possess the necessary qualifications for the red heifer, a necessary prerequisite for the renewal of the Divine service in the Holy Temple.

The rabbinical experts who conducted the examination stress that the heifer, while currently bearing the required qualifications could, at any time in the future, become disqualified through natural causes, and therefore the heifer will be periodically reexamined.

 

he Temple Institute (in Hebrew, Machon HaMikdash), founded in 1987, is a non-profit educational and religious organization located in the Jewish quarter of Jerusalem's Old City. The Institute is dedicated to every aspect of the Biblical commandment to build the Holy Temple of G-d on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem. Our short-term goal is to rekindle the flame of the Holy Temple in the hearts of mankind through education. Our long-term goal is to do all in our limited power to bring about the building of the Holy Temple in our time. Thus, the Institute's efforts include raising public awareness about the Holy Temple, and the central role that it occupies in the spiritual life of mankind. The many areas of activities conducted by the Institute combine research, seminars, publications, and conferences, as well as the production of educational materials.

The major focus of the Institute is its efforts towards the beginning of the actual rebuilding of the Holy Temple. Towards this end, the Institute has begun to restore and construct the sacred vessels for the service of the Holy Temple. These vessels, which G-d commanded Israel to create, can be seen today at our exhibition in Jerusalem's Old City Jewish Quarter. They are made according to the exact specifications of the Bible, and have been constructed from the original source materials, such as gold, copper, silver and wood. These are authentic, accurate vessels, not merely replicas or models. All of these items are fit and ready for use in the service of the Holy Temple. Among the many items featured in the exhibition are musical instruments played by the Levitical choir, the golden crown of the High Priest, and gold and silver vessels used in the incense and sacrificial services. After many years of effort and toil, the Institute has completed the three most important and central vessels of the Divine service: the seven-branched candelabra, or Menorah, made of pure gold; the golden Incense Altar, and the golden Table of the Showbread....The Institute has completed the sacred uniform of the Kohen Gadol, the High Priest. This project was the culmination of years of study and research. The High Priest's Choshen (Breastplate) and Ephod have been completed. To learn more about these garments and how they were created, and to view photos and illustrations, click here. Most recently, the tzitz - golden crown of the High Priest has been completed.

 https://www.templeinstitute.org/events.htm

 

Comments?

Edited September 8, 2018 by Bernard Gui

[Bernard Gui]

The Temple Institute of Jerusalem is also identifying and training legitimate sons of Aaron to serve in the temple when it is restored. In order to function as true temple priests, would they and the High Priest need any kind of OK from the President of the Melchizedek and Aaronic Priesthoods? (Not that they would feel any need to seek it, of course.)

[Robert F. Smith]

12 minutes ago, Bernard Gui said:

..........................................

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Most recently, the tzitz - golden crown of the High Priest has been completed.

Comments?

The tiara of the HP and of kings is also called Zeniff in the Book of Mormon.  He was the King of Lehi-Nephi.  His name means "Tiara" in Hebrew (ṣānîp Leviticus 16:4, Zechariah 3:5, Ecclesiasticus 40:4; miṣnepet Exodus 28:4,37,39, 29:6, 39:28,31, Leviticus 8:9, 16:4, Ecclesiasticus 45:12) > Greek masnaephthēs (Josephus, Antiquities, III, 7, 3 § 157),[1] cognate with Syriac maṣnaptā “headband, turban,” měṣannap “to wrap around, wind around” (Isaiah 22:18 ṣānôp yiṣnāpkā ṣěnēpâ “wrapping you up like a whorl”).[2] 

-----------------------------  

[1] HALOT, II:624.

[2] HALOT, III:1038-1039. Note the word play in Isaiah.

[Robert F. Smith]

18 minutes ago, Bernard Gui said:

The Temple Institute of Jerusalem is also identifying and training legitimate sons of Aaron to serve in the temple when it is restored. In order to function as true temple priests, would they and the High Priest need any kind of OK from the President of the Melchizedek and Aaronic Priesthoods? (Not that they would feel any need to seek it, of course.)

They already hold the priesthood of Aaron and of the lesser Levites by right of lineage.  They will build their temple and offer sacrifices there without consulting LDS authorities.  What takes place after that is another matter.

[cacheman]

22 minutes ago, Bernard Gui said:

I have pointed to the Temple Institute of Jerusalem a number of times on this board because I am interested in following a group of Jews who are seriously preparing for the coming of Messiah. This week they announced the birth of a red heifer that potentially could be a very significant portent of that great event.

Comments?

Not a fan of animal sacrifice.  If God exists,  I  doubt he or she is anticipating the scientific breeding efforts including embryo transplantation, designed to create the 'perfect' animal which will then be slaughtered for him/her.  I can't see the necessity. It seems to be a waste of life. 

[strappinglad]

It is my opinion that the building of the temple in Jerusalem is the trigger that will turn all the nations against Israel as per prophecy.

There have been a few ' red heifers ' in the past and there always comes a time when a blemish is found and all is reset. Such occurred at the turn of the millennium when the world was worried about Y2K etc, and ' prophets arose ' claiming the end.

[Stargazer]

2 hours ago, cacheman said:

Not a fan of animal sacrifice.  If God exists,  I  doubt he or she is anticipating the scientific breeding efforts including embryo transplantation, designed to create the 'perfect' animal which will then be slaughtered for him/her.  I can't see the necessity. It seems to be a waste of life. 

I understand if you don't feel like cheering about animal sacrifice.  And I'm not a cheerleader for the practice, unless God commands it, which he definitely did (unless he doesn't exist).  But are you a vegan?  

Uncounted billions of fish and invertebrates are slain and eaten by other fish and invertebrates every month.  Uncounted trillions of insects are slain and eaten by spiders, other insects, and birds every month.  Uncounted millions of prey animals are hunted and killed for food by predators every month.  Uncounted millions of animals are sacrificed/slaughtered by humans for food every month.  What fleeping difference does it make if one or two of them are slaughtered for ritual purposes?  Especially since, according to the Book of Leviticus, what isn't burned in the sacrifice is then eaten by the priests.  

An ex-daughter-in-law of mine was very pious about how much she disliked hunting.  But she was perfectly happy to eat animals that had been raised in captivity solely for consumption by humans.  I could not understand the degree of virtue signalling inherent in this -- and arguably eating hunted wild animals is better than eating captives, since the wild ones at least had a free life before being hunted.

 

[strappinglad]

I've said it before, but it can be repeated. If we modern folks, who are well removed from the slaughter house and its noise and smell , were to time travel back to the days of Jesus and view the temple activity , we would likely recoil in horror at the scene. Many of us today have a hard time destroying even an ant hill let alone killing a rabbit or a duck or a cow and this has happened in just a couple of generations. One hundred years ago only the very rich could wash their hands of the dirty business of preparing meat for the table. To the people of Christ's time , what went on at the temple was as normal to them as taking off our boots upon entering our house is to us.

[Bernard Gui]

3 hours ago, cacheman said:

Not a fan of animal sacrifice.  If God exists,  I  doubt he or she is anticipating the scientific breeding efforts including embryo transplantation, designed to create the 'perfect' animal which will then be slaughtered for him/her.  I can't see the necessity. It seems to be a waste of life. 

Maybe she likes steak. 

[Bernard Gui]

45 minutes ago, strappinglad said:

I've said it before, but it can be repeated. If we modern folks, who are well removed from the slaughter house and its noise and smell , were to time travel back to the days of Jesus and view the temple activity , we would likely recoil in horror at the scene. Many of us today have a hard time destroying even an ant hill let alone killing a rabbit or a duck or a cow and this has happened in just a couple of generations. One hundred years ago only the very rich could wash their hands of the dirty business of preparing meat for the table. To the people of Christ's time , what went on at the temple was as normal to them as taking off our boots upon entering our house is to us.

Or if you have lived on a farm or hunt for food. 

 

[Bernard Gui]

3 hours ago, Robert F. Smith said:

They already hold the priesthood of Aaron and of the lesser Levites by right of lineage.  They will build their temple and offer sacrifices there without consulting LDS authorities.  What takes place after that is another matter.

Well, they will be bishops of the Jerusalem wards. 

[Robert F. Smith]

27 minutes ago, Bernard Gui said:

Well, they will be bishops of the Jerusalem wards. 

Cute , Bernard.  ☺️

However, it appears from Zechariah and the D&C that the Jews will find out who the Messiah really is by surprise at their greatest hour of need -- from the Messiah himself at the cleft Mount of Olives [Zech 14:4] -- when all hangs in the balance at the end time:

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D&C 45:51-55  And then shall the Jews look upon me and say: What are these wounds in thine hands and in thy feet? [Zech 12:10]

Then shall they know that I am the Lord; for I will say unto them: These wounds are the wounds with which I was wounded in the house of my friends. [Zech 13:6] I am he who was lifted up. I am Jesus that was crucified. I am the Son of God.

And then shall they weep because of their iniquities; then shall they lament because they persecuted their king. [Zech 12:10]

And then shall the heathen nations be redeemed, and they that knew no law shall have part in the firstresurrection; and it shall be tolerable for them.

And Satan shall be bound, that he shall have no place in the hearts of the children of men.

 

Edited September 9, 2018 by Robert F. Smith

[provoman]

"And then shall the heathen nations be redeemed, and they that knew no law shall have part in the firstresurrection; and it shall be tolerable for them."

[SteveO]

So as members of the church, how much significance do we place in something like this?

[Bernard Gui]

1 hour ago, SteveO said:

So as members of the church, how much significance do we place in something like this?

What do you think? 

[SteveO]

14 minutes ago, Bernard Gui said:

What do you think? 

Well I showed my brother this, and he doesn’t think it means anything.  I was always under the impression that D&C 13:1 was in reference to this, but he thinks that making an “offering in righteousness” refers to the current temple work, broken heart and a contrite spirit to be worthy to enter the temple, etc.  I really don’t know.  

[Bernard Gui]

17 minutes ago, SteveO said:

Well I showed my brother this, and he doesn’t think it means anything.  I was always under the impression that D&C 13:1 was in reference to this, but he thinks that making an “offering in righteousness” refers to the current temple work, broken heart and a contrite spirit to be worthy to enter the temple, etc.  I really don’t know.  

Thanks for the comment. The D&C does talk about the sons of Levi offering up an offering in righteousness. Seems like this group of devout Jews wants to do just that. There is some excellent information on the temple on their website with descriptions and reconstructions of the implements of the temple and the priestly robes. Also an excellent discussion on the Urim v'Tummim. The red heifer seems to be a big deal to some Jews. Never heard about it much among LDS.

[Stargazer]

7 hours ago, Bernard Gui said:

Thanks for the comment. The D&C does talk about the sons of Levi offering up an offering in righteousness. Seems like this group of devout Jews wants to do just that. There is some excellent information on the temple on their website with descriptions and reconstructions of the implements of the temple and the priestly robes. Also an excellent discussion on the Urim v'Tummim. The red heifer seems to be a big deal to some Jews. Never heard about it much among LDS.

There are a few things that seem far more important to Latter-day Saints, at least pertaining to the signs of the Second Coming.  Joseph Smith had much to say on this, but nothing of course about a red heifer.  Not to say that a red heifer is meaningless -- it obviously means something to the Jews, and surely their opinions are of some worth in this.  I am drawn to this which the Prophet spoke of, found in chapter 21 of "Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith":

“I have asked of the Lord concerning His coming; and while asking the Lord, He gave a sign and said, ‘In the days of Noah I set a bow in the heavens as a sign and token that in any year that the bow should be seen the Lord would not come; but there should be seed time and harvest during that year: but whenever you see the bow withdrawn, it shall be a token that there shall be famine, pestilence, and great distress among the nations, and that the coming of the Messiah is not far distant.’”

This suggests that there might be a worldwide drought at some point.  As a bit of a scientific person, I don't see how this is possible, but I'll stay open-minded about it.

“Judah must return, Jerusalem must be rebuilt, and the temple, and water come out from under the temple, and the waters of the Dead Sea be healed [see Ezekiel 47:1–9]. It will take some time to rebuild the walls of the city and the temple, etc.; and all this must be done before the Son of Man will make His appearance. There will be wars and rumors of wars, signs in the heavens above and on the earth beneath, the sun turned into darkness and the moon to blood, earthquakes in divers places, the seas heaving beyond their bounds; then will appear one grand sign of the Son of Man in heaven. But what will the world do? They will say it is a planet, a comet, etc. But the Son of Man will come as the sign of the coming of the Son of Man, which will be as the light of the morning cometh out of the east."

Several of the signs of His coming are centered around Israel: the return of the Jews to the Holy Land (already done); the rebuilding of the temple (they're getting ready for this); and the Dead Sea being made fresh.  I am not sure what to make of the "walls of Jerusalem" -- in former times walls around cities were legitimate defensive structures, but with modern artillery they are such no longer.  The city of Jerusalem is in fact already rebuilt, and is a major world city.  But then, even in Joseph Smith's day the city was not abandoned, and while I think there were more Arabs than Jews in the city, they were certainly not absent.

I also wonder how the Dead Sea might be "healed".  Upon checking, it appears that the waters of the Dead Sea have been receding for many years, and this has become a matter of great concern in the region.  Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority are working together to build a pipeline linking the Dead Sea with the Red Sea, presumably to fill the DS back up to its former level!  So, things are happening in connection with the DS, but what this has to do with prophecy I cannot guess.

 

 

 

[Stargazer]

7 hours ago, SteveO said:

Well I showed my brother this, and he doesn’t think it means anything.  I was always under the impression that D&C 13:1 was in reference to this, but he thinks that making an “offering in righteousness” refers to the current temple work, broken heart and a contrite spirit to be worthy to enter the temple, etc.  I really don’t know.  

I was about to take this at face value, but then I wondered, "Who's his brother?"  Is he a general authority or someone with a particularly valuable opinion based on expertise, like a professor of theology, or ancient scripture?  This is not to say that your brother's opinion is worthless, per se, but why do you bring him up?  My brother's opinion on the subject (I haven't asked him about it in any case) isn't something I'm likely to throw into the conversation, but that's because his opinion is no more valuable than mine. 

[cacheman]

11 hours ago, Stargazer said:

I understand if you don't feel like cheering about animal sacrifice.  And I'm not a cheerleader for the practice, unless God commands it, which he definitely did (unless he doesn't exist).  But are you a vegan?  

Uncounted billions of fish and invertebrates are slain and eaten by other fish and invertebrates every month.  Uncounted trillions of insects are slain and eaten by spiders, other insects, and birds every month.  Uncounted millions of prey animals are hunted and killed for food by predators every month.  Uncounted millions of animals are sacrificed/slaughtered by humans for food every month.  What fleeping difference does it make if one or two of them are slaughtered for ritual purposes?  Especially since, according to the Book of Leviticus, what isn't burned in the sacrifice is then eaten by the priests.  

An ex-daughter-in-law of mine was very pious about how much she disliked hunting.  But she was perfectly happy to eat animals that had been raised in captivity solely for consumption by humans.  I could not understand the degree of virtue signalling inherent in this -- and arguably eating hunted wild animals is better than eating captives, since the wild ones at least had a free life before being hunted.

 

Hi Stargazer,

Interestingly enough,  I am in agreement with what your faith teaches about meat consumption in the doctrine and covenants.  I don't believe that people should be under a mandate to not eat meat,  but I believe that it is wrong to eat meat when you don't need it.  I'm also in agreement with your last statement regarding hunting.

You mentioned priests eating portions of the sacrificed animal in Leviticus. But,  isn't that just for sin offerings?  I believe that in 'burnt offerings' it is mandated to burn the animal to ash. Correct me if I'm wrong,  but I believe the red heifer sacrifice is to be a burnt offering. 

 

[cacheman]

11 hours ago, strappinglad said:

I've said it before, but it can be repeated. If we modern folks, who are well removed from the slaughter house and its noise and smell , were to time travel back to the days of Jesus and view the temple activity , we would likely recoil in horror at the scene. Many of us today have a hard time destroying even an ant hill let alone killing a rabbit or a duck or a cow and this has happened in just a couple of generations. One hundred years ago only the very rich could wash their hands of the dirty business of preparing meat for the table. To the people of Christ's time , what went on at the temple was as normal to them as taking off our boots upon entering our house is to us.

 it's true that in modern western society that people are largely removed from animal agriculture in general and from the slaughtering and processing of meat products.  I don't think it's coincidental that as societal involvement in agriculture has drastically declined,  that meat consumption has significantly increased. 

[Stargazer]

8 minutes ago, cacheman said:

 

You mentioned priests eating portions of the sacrificed animal in Leviticus. But,  isn't that just for sin offerings?  I believe that in 'burnt offerings' it is mandated to burn the animal to ash. Correct me if I'm wrong,  but I believe the red heifer sacrifice is to be a burnt offering. 

 

Without digging into the scripture for the details, what I remember of what I have read (in Leviticus) was that certain portions of the animal were burnt, but not all.  But this depended upon the particular sacrifice. The skins of non-birds were removed and given to the priests who were on duty.  The amount burnt varied over time, by apparent policy.  Full burning was not common in early days, but became more common later.  The article on the subject in Wikipedia is interesting.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burnt_offering_(Judaism)

The Passover sacrificial lamb was not burnt, but was consumed by the family bringing it for the sacrifice -- they were required to consume all of it before the next day.

You're right about the red heifer: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_heifer

[theplains]

4 hours ago, Stargazer said:

There are a few things that seem far more important to Latter-day Saints, at least pertaining to the signs of the Second Coming.  Joseph Smith had much to say on this, but nothing of course about a red heifer.  Not to say that a red heifer is meaningless -- it obviously means something to the Jews, and surely their opinions are of some worth in this.  I am drawn to this which the Prophet spoke of, found in chapter 21 of "Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith":

“I have asked of the Lord concerning His coming; and while asking the Lord, He gave a sign and said, ‘In the days of Noah I set a bow in the heavens as a sign and token that in any year that the bow should be seen the Lord would not come; but there should be seed time and harvest during that year: but whenever you see the bow withdrawn, it shall be a token that there shall be famine, pestilence, and great distress among the nations, and that the coming of the Messiah is not far distant.’”

This suggests that there might be a worldwide drought at some point.  As a bit of a scientific person, I don't see how this is possible, but I'll stay open-minded about it.

Joseph Smith's account is inaccurate.  The bow was a sign of God's covenant (Genesis 9:11-15), not of some future coming
or a token of famine, pestilence, or great distress among the nations. In addition, if I am not mistaken, the bow (the rainbow)
is never mentioned in the Book of Mormon, D&C, or Pearl of Great Price (or ever again in the Bible).  

Jim

[Bernard Gui]

19 hours ago, cacheman said:

Not a fan of animal sacrifice.  If God exists,  I  doubt he or she is anticipating the scientific breeding efforts including embryo transplantation, designed to create the 'perfect' animal which will then be slaughtered for him/her.  I can't see the necessity. It seems to be a waste of life. 

If anyone is interested, here is a short essay explaining animal sacrifice in the temple. Very interesting.

An excerpt:

http://www.templeinstitute.org/sacrificial_service.htm

Quote

....the Hebrew word for "sacrifice" (korban, le-hakriv) is from the same root as "to come near, to approach. . . . to become closely involved in a relationship with someone." For this is meant to be the essence of the experience which the bearer of the sacrifice undergoes. Indeed, it is unfortunate that no word in the English language can adequately render the idea behind the Hebrew word korban. We allow ourselves to use the word "sacrifice" for lack of a better word, but it is a highly unsuccessful attempt at translation; it could even be called unfortunate. The idea of a sacrifice or offering seems to indicate a gift or present; giving up something of value for another's benefit, or going without something of value yourself, for the benefit of that other.

None of this gift-giving idea is present in the idea of the korban. First of all, it is a word that never carries a connotation of a present or gift, and is used exclusively by the Bible in the context of man's relationship with G-d. Thus its true meaning can only be grasped through its root... the concept of coming close.....

The Sacrifices are Meaningless Without Repentance

It was only in the Holy Temple that the full spiritual nature of this process could be appreciated. It is of crucial importance to be aware that by no means did the sacrifices serve as an end in themselves. For example, the sin offering, which was a minority of all the offerings brought in the Temple, was powerless to atone for sin unless it was accompanied by a thought of resolute, true repentance. Without repentance, the sacrifice was invalid; the korbon itself was only a means by which man could arouse himself to repent. We are likewise taught that G-d Himself did not require the sacrifice but for the betterment of the crown of His creation, man; however He would prefer that man not sin, and not be necessitated to bring any offering (BT Berakoth 22:A).

The Creator Raised Man Above the Animals

Today, there are those who refer disparagingly to the "cult" of Temple sacrifice; they find the concept repugnant. Their viewpoint is understandable, since their entire basis for understanding these lofty concepts comes from a standpoint that is totally pagan. Those of this ilk view the sacrificial system as brutal because they have no conception of a G-d who beckons to us to raise ourselves above the animals and dedicate ourselves to Him. For man is at the center of creation; all else which G-d created was brought into existence solely to help aid man in his quest for spiritual perfection.

 

Edited September 9, 2018 by Bernard Gui

[Bernard Gui]

33 minutes ago, theplains said:

Joseph Smith's account is inaccurate.  The bow was a sign of God's covenant (Genesis 9:11-15), not of some future coming
or a token of famine, pestilence, or great distress among the nations. In addition, if I am not mistaken, the bow (the rainbow)
is never mentioned in the Book of Mormon, D&C, or Pearl of Great Price (or ever again in the Bible).  

Jim

Inaccurate.....

or knowledge not found in the Bible that was revealed to him.