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I happened to stumble across a very nice sim called Holy City. Here I found an amazing Temple and also a place to learn.
Designed by Rabbi Writer, Rabbi Writer in RL is both a rabbi and a writer, an Israeli citizen presently residing in The Netherlands.
The Rabbi has congregations in both the Netherlands and Israel and this Temple is the common gathering place for both.
The nice thing about this place is the wealth of information (in
English and German) that is made available about the early years of the
Jewish faith. There are notecard givers all over that explain the beliefs, rituals and priesthood of those early times.
I had never really explored this religious path but I found the information useful and insightful.
Such topics as the Kiponos Gate that King Herod used to walk from his quarters into the Temple, through a magnificent rose garden. The Tora is explained, the prayer rituals used, and some of the wearing of the ritual prayer clothing.
And of course there was the Holy of Holies, the most sacred place in the Temple. As the Rabbi says:
"You are now facing the House of the Eternal One.
On the altar behind you, sacrifices to God are brought, but here inside His Presence - the Shechiná - rests.
You can enter only a restricted part of the room, and you are requested inside to speak only to Him.
Behind the curtain is the Holiest of Holies. There the Ark with the Stone Tablets was placed, for there is the House of God. This room is entered only once a year, on the day of Atonement, when our people show remorse over all sins and beg the Etelnal God of Israel for forgiveness. Only the Highpriest may enter, and he may enter only backward, for if he will see the Shechiná, he will not live.
On the left the everburning menorá, on the right the table with the showbreads. In front of the curtain the incense offering.
Enter in fear, exit in peace."
Highly recommended for a pleasurable stroll and wonderful learning experience.
Jewish Temple in Jerusalem, Holy City (204, 151, 42)
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