Temple Institute Announces Crowdfunding Campaign To Raise Red Heifer For Rebuilt Temple

By Temple Institute

Message From The Temple Institute:

Are you ready to be part of restoring the state of purity that will enable the rebuilding of the Holy Temple?

After millennia of yearning, only one organization is paving the way for the rebuilding of the Holy Temple. The Temple Institute, located in the Old City of Jerusalem, is a research organization dedicated to preparing for the construction of the Third Temple, including the recreation of over 60 sacred Temple vessels ready for use once the Temple is rebuilt. These include the High Priest's breastplate featuring the twelve precious stones of the tribes of Israel, the half-ton golden menorah, and the musical instruments of the Levitical choir. Last year, the Temple Institute's successful Indiegogo campaign raised over $100,000 used to develop architectural plans for the Holy Temple.

The Holy Temple stands for the sanctity and dignity of human life and universal peace, and will be the center of an inspiring pilgrimage for all people (see Isaiah Ch. 2).

The Temple Institute is now beginning one of its most ambitious projects to date: Restoring the Divine commandment of the Red Heifer, enabling the return of tahara, the state of Biblical purity to the world. This is an integral part of the prophesied promise of the elevation and unity of all humanity.

What is a Red Heifer? Why Do We Need One?

The Red Heifer is a female cow, three years of age, with perfect consistency of a particular reddish hue, having not even two hairs of any other color. The heifer also may never be used for any type of labor, and must be totally blemish-free. The ordinance of the para aduma, the Red Heifer, is found in the Torah, in the book of Numbers Chapter 19, and elucidated in the teachings of the Sages of Israel. The process of purification through the Red Heifer is the only antidote to the state of impurity caused by death, and thus, intrinsically imperative for the reestablishment of purity.

What's the Difference Between an Ordinary Red Cow, and a Proper Red Heifer?

Red cattle can be found throughout the world, and are not uncommon. However, raising a perfect red heifer in accordance with Biblical requirements for the fulfillment of the Numbers Ch. 19 commandment is a daunting task requiring advance planning, exacting preparation and constant supervision. In order for a heifer to be considered kosher for the Biblical use, it must literally be raised from birth under specific circumstances and in a controlled environment.

The Project Has Begun: A Change in Conception

In the past the people of Israel waited for the birth of a potential Red Heifer. But with Torah knowledge and advanced science, the Temple Institute has now begun to actively pursue this commandment. For this unprecedented project, the Temple Institute has joined forces with an experienced cattle rancher here in Israel. This expert in the science of animal husbandry, under the halachic supervision and guidance of the rabbis of the Temple Institute, is utilizing the technique of implanting the frozen embryos of Red Angus cattle in Israeli domestic cattle. The end result of this program will be the introduction of the Red Angus breed into Israel. This method, authorized and approved by Israel's Ministry of Agriculture, has already proven successful with the birth of a number of male Red Angus. The location and other details of the cattle ranch will remain undisclosed to the general public during the initial stages of the project. The Temple Institute will release periodic progress updates.

Our Immediate Goal is $125,000. Your contribution will go towards:

- embryo implantation
- veterinary care, upkeep, and feed
- special supervised arrangements for care in accordance with Biblical law
- infrastructure for the controlled environment of the herd
- identification and separate care of candidates for perfect Red Heifers
- security arrangements including 24 hour video surveillance and monitoring
- the publication of original, ground-breaking halachic research and findings

The successful introduction of perfect Red Heifers to Israel is the first project of a multi-level program that will span a number of years. Future stages of the purity restoration program will include:

Expansion of the curriculum and faculty of the Temple Institute's acclaimed Nezer HaKodesh Academy for Priestly Studies to include the training of prospective priests-in-training in all aspects of the precept of the Red Heifer; The identification and selection of kohanim (descendants of the priestly tribe of Aaron) whose state of purity enables them to attend to the preparation of the Red Heifer; the documentation and provision of the precise location on the Mount of Olives for the heifer's preparation. 

** Editors Note**: 

The Red Heifer that was found in New Jersey in 2013 and reported on previously by PNW was disqualified last Wednesday morning when it gave birth to a baby black calf.

Pregnancy and and the subsequent birthing disqualifies the cow from ritual use according to the Jewish legal guidelines set out by Maimonides in the 12th century. This is the second cow in as many years to be disqualified from being a qualified as a red heifer.