these are pictures of a kosher mizbeiach, sacrificial altar, just constructed. I am not sure what the purpose is - perhaps it is to be immediately ready for a beis hamikdash, or to show God and the people that we are ready or to increase knowledge about it.. Today, the last day of Chanukah, there will be a ceremony inaugurating the new mizbeiach.

According to Srugim, this mizbeiach meets and surpasses the halachic requirements of a mizbeiach, even though it is not the full size of the altar from the 2nd Beis Hamikdash. As well, it is built from bricks rather than stones.

Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? Where's Waldo? Where are the keilim of the Beis Hamikdash?

A Jerusalem-based rabbi recently sent a letter to the Pope and to the Vatican Ambassador to Israel asking them to consider returning the vessels, that are supposedly stored in the archives of the Vatican, to Israel during the Pope's upcoming visit.

Surprisingly enough, there has been a response!

According to Ladaat, the Vatican Ambassdor to Israel has responded to Rabbi Shtencel saying that the vessels of the Beit Hamikdash are NOT located in the Vatican.

The Ambassador goes on to say that the idea that the Vatican is holding the vessels goes against the past 50 years of friendly dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Jewish Nation. If the vessels would be in the Vatican, the Popes until now would have definitely returned them to the rightful owners. The Ambassador adds a personal offer - he says if you can prove to me that the Vatican is holding the vessels, I will personally pass the information on to Pope Francis.

So, where are the vessels of the Holy Temple?

The Temple Institute has just announced the completion of the manufacture of the tzitz for the High Priest to wear in the Beis Hamikdash, when it will be rebuilt (speedily in our days). They already had a version of the Tzitz, but they have now redone it to be more complete and fit all the opinions, including an account from Josephus.