Will the Third Temple Descend from Heaven or Be Built on Earth?[1]

A well-known debate among the Jewish sages concerns the manner in which the Third Temple will be built: will it descend ready-made from Heaven, or will it be constructed here on earth? According to one view, attributed primarily to Rashi and the Zohar, the Third Temple will descend from Heaven.[2] In contrast, other authorities—most notably the Rambam (Maimonides) and the Jerusalem Talmud—maintain that the Temple will be physically built on earth by Mashiach.[3] At first glance, Rashi’s position presents a theological difficulty. The Torah contains a biblical commandment to build the Temple.[4] If so, how can the Temple descend from Heaven rather than be built through human action?[5] How can a mitzvah of construction be fulfilled if no earthly building takes place? To resolve this tension, several reconciliatory approaches have been offered.

• First Approach: A Spiritual Temple Above and a Physical Temple Below:[6] One answer suggests that Rashi is not referring to the physical structure of the Temple, but to its spiritual counterpart. According to this approach, there exists a heavenly, spiritual Temple that corresponds to the physical Temple below. The descent from Heaven refers to this spiritual reality, not to the physical structure. Under this explanation, there is no disagreement regarding the physical Temple: all authorities agree that the earthly Temple will be built by Mashiach, as the Rambam explicitly rules. The heavenly Temple represents the spiritual perfection that will accompany and infuse the physical structure, rather than replacing it.
• Second Approach: A Temple Built Both by Heaven and by Mashiach: A second resolution suggests a literal partnership between Heaven and earth. According to this view, part of the Temple will descend from Heaven, while the remainder will be built by Mashiach. Which parts will come from Heaven and which will be constructed below is a matter of discussion among later authorities. One opinion[7] proposes that the entire Temple structure will descend from Heaven, with the exception of the gates. These gates, according to tradition, date back to the First Temple period. When the First Temple was destroyed, its gates were miraculously swallowed into the ground rather than destroyed.[8] In the future, these gates will reemerge and be incorporated into the Third Temple, constituting the human contribution to its construction. Another opinion[9] suggests a different division of labor. All elements of the Temple that are clearly described in Scripture and are fully comprehensible to human understanding will be built by Mashiach. In contrast, those aspects of the Temple that are not explicitly described, or whose nature exceeds human comprehension, will be provided directly by God.

[1] See Likkutei Sichos 11:98; 13:84; 18:408; Toras Menachem 5744 2:1029; 5747 Vol. 4 p. 157; 5748 2:560; Sefer Pear Halevanon p. 47

[2] Rashi Sukkah 41a and Rashi Rosh Hashanah 30a “Yigaleh Veyavo Mishamayim” based on Pasuk Beshalach 15:17 Mikdash Adniy Konenu Yadecha; Tosafus Sukkah 41a; Shavuos 15b based on Tanchuma Pekudei 11; Zohar Vol. 1 28a; Vol. 2 59a; 108a; Vol. 3 221a; Yalkut Tehillim Remez 1048 in end; See Tanchuma Bereishis 17 in end; Rosh Sukkah ibid; Ritva ibid; Raavan Rosh Hashanah 30a; Sefer Hachinuch end of Mitzvah 95

[3] Rambam Melachim 11:1 and end; Yerushalmi Megillah 1:11; Pesachim 9:1; Tosefta Pesachim 8:2; Vayikra Raba 9:6

[4] Rambam Beis Habechira 1:1

[5] See Likkutei Sichos Vol. 39 Shabbos Chazon 4; Tzafnas Paneiach Tinyana 3

[6] Aruch Laner Sukkah ibid; Ramchal in Sefer Mishkinei Elyon; 2^nd option in Likkutei Sichos 18:408; 1^st option in Likkutei Sichos Vol. 39 Shabbos Chazon 4

[7] 2^nd option in Likkutei Sichos Vol. 39 Shabbos Chazon 4

[8] Eicha Raba 2:9; Bamidbar Raba 15:13

[9] 1^st option in Likkutei Sichos 18:408