As an important center of worship and cultural significance, the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem offers a wealth of opportunities for students to learn about Jewish history and religion. Whether you’re teaching in a Jewish institution or a secular school, sharing this history can be a valuable context for understanding contemporary political and religious issues in the region.
The Temple’s storied history begins with King David, who bought the land on which the First Temple was built in around 1000 BCE. Solomon, David’s son, constructed the Temple as a place for Jews to worship God, complete with a Holy of Holies where the Ark of the Covenant was kept. This first Temple stood for over 400 years, until it was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BCE.
The Second Temple was built less than a century later, thanks in part to the efforts of the prophet Ezra. It stood for nearly 500 years, at times gloriously expanded and at others in a state of abandonment, until it was destroyed by the Roman Empire in 70 CE.
Throughout this history, the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem served as the center of Jewish worship, culture, and identity. It was the place where the High Priest offered sacrifices, where the people gathered for festivals, and where the Torah was read. It was also where Jesus of Nazareth taught and preached, and where he famously overturned the moneychangers’ tables.
Today, the Temple Mount in Jerusalem remains a contested site, with ongoing debates over who has access to the area and how it should be managed. Furthermore, recent archaeological findings have shed more light on the Temple’s history, making it even more important to understand the significance of the site for Jews and the world at large.
When teaching students about the Temple, there are many ways to make the history come alive. For younger students, it can be helpful to use hands-on activities to help them understand the construction and use of the Temple. For example, students can build their own models or draw pictures of what they imagine the Temple looked like.
Older students can dive deeper into the historical and religious significance of the Temple. Biographies of figures like Ezra or King David can provide context for students, as can archaeological studies and accounts of the Temple’s destruction and rebuilding.
Perhaps most importantly, teaching about the Temple provides an opportunity to explore contemporary debates around its significance. Whether discussing who has the right to access the site or considering the role of interfaith dialogue in shaping the Temple’s future, exploring these debates with students can help them understand the complexities of religious and political identity in the modern world.
