The Temple Institute

13/10/2026

A LONG SECTION OF JERUSALEM'S 2,000-YEAR-OLD LOWER AQUEDUCT UNCOVERED IN ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS NEAR RAMAT RACHEL
http://tiny.cc/wvzb101

Israel Antiquities Authority excavations, funded by the Israel Land Authority prior to construction of a new Jerusalem neighborhood, exposed a long section of Jerusalem's Lower Aqueduct, built in the Hasmonean period, which carried water from Solomon's Pools to the Temple Mount • The impressive section of the aqueduct will be integrated into the main entrance of the planned neighborhood • The discovery and new research on the aqueduct will be presented for the first time this week at the annual "New Studies in the Archaeology of Jerusalem and Its Region" conference

A 300-meter-long section of Jerusalem's Lower Aqueduct, originally constructed in the Hasmonean period, has been exposed in Israel Antiquities Authority excavations south of Kibbutz Ramat Rachel, in an area where the Israel Land Authority will build a new neighborhood.

The aqueduct was part of a sophisticated ancient water system that carried spring water from the Gush Etzion area via Solomon's Pools to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.

According to Dr. Benyamin Storchan,Gil Freid and Rotem Cohen, excavation directors on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority, "The Lower Aqueduct was an impressive engineering project, probably built in the time of the Hasmonean kings to supply water to Jerusalem. The system was so well planned that it remained in intermittent use until about 100 years ago. The aqueduct runs about 21 km from Solomon's Pools, south of Bethlehem, to Jerusalem. Along most of the route, the water flowed along a very gentle gradient, dropping just one meter in elevation per kilometer."

The aqueduct was designed so that water flowed by gravity alone, without pumps or other mechanical means. To achieve this, its planners had to maintain a gentle and precise gradient over many kilometers, adapting the route to the hillslopes and bedrock. Cleanout points were installed along the system, providing access to the channel for clearing blockages and routine maintenance.
The newly exposed section shows various stages in the history of the water system. Initially, the water flowed in a built, plastered channel. About 500 years ago, during the Ottoman period, ceramic pipes were installed within the original channel. At that time, the outer face of the aqueduct wall was plastered, and small stones were pressed into the plaster while it was still wet. This produced a distinctive surface that accompanied the aqueduct along its route. The sequence of repairs reflects the aqueduct's importance and the ongoing effort to maintain Jerusalem's water supply.

Cooperation between the Israel Land Authority and the Israel Antiquities Authority will preserve the aqueduct as a living part of the developing urban landscape. According to the building plans, the aqueduct will be integrated into the main entrance of the new neighborhood and displayed to the public.

According to Dr. Amit Re'em, Jerusalem District Archaeologist of the Israel Antiquities Authority, "The aqueduct is an engineering marvel. Even today, with all our modern technology, building such a system would require extensive planning and effort. The thought that about 2,000 years ago they managed to bring water to Jerusalem this way is astonishing, and we want the public to be able to appreciate this achievement up close. The dream and vision of the Israel Antiquities Authority is to create a continuous park that will allow people to walk alongside the aqueduct from southern Jerusalem to the Old City, and we are already advancing this initiative together with the Jerusalem Municipality and other partners."

According to Yehuda Eliyahu, Acting Director of the Israel Land Authority, "The spectacular discovery of the ancient aqueduct in the heart of the area planned for the new neighborhood in Jerusalem reminds us that we are continuing a glorious chain of generations of building and development. The Israel Land Authority is pleased to lead extensive modern development while showing national responsibility and carefully safeguarding our historical heritage assets. Integrating the aqueduct into the entrance of the new neighborhood will give residents and visitors a direct connection to Jerusalem's rich history and to the deep bond of the people of Israel with its eternal capital."

The research on Jerusalem's Lower Aqueduct will be presented for the first time this week at the 19th "New Studies in the Archaeology of Jerusalem and Its Region" conference, held in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv and initiated by the Israel Antiquities Authority, Tel Aviv University, the Hebrew University, and Tagliyot – Israel Institute of Archaeology.

13/10/2026

TEMPLE TALK: THE NOT SO QUIET MONTH OF CHESHVAN!

THE RISE AND FALL OF MAN!

THE POST DILUVIAL PROMISE OF NOACH!

Scratch the surface and the quiet month of Cheshvan is alive with important dates. G-d's great disappointment with man and the near end of mankind, altogether.

The Rise and Fall of Man!The Post Diluvial Promise of Noach!Scr...

13/10/2026

COMPLETION OF THE 1ST HOLY TEMPLE IN CHESHVAN

The book of I Kings records that the first Holy Temple, built by King Solomon, was competed, after seven years of construction, in the month of Cheshvan, known in first Temple times as the month of Bul:

"And in the eleventh year, in the month Bul, which is the eighth month, the house was finished throughout all the parts thereof, and according to all the fashion of it, and he built it seven years." (I Kings 6:38)

12/10/2026

PARASHAT NOACH: WHY AN ARK?

"Make for yourself an ark of gopher wood; you shall make the ark with compartments, and you shall caulk it both inside and outside with pitch." (Genesis 6:14)

Rashi comments: "Many ways to bring relief and rescue are available to Him; why, then, did He burden him with this construction? In order that the people of the Generation of the Flood should see him occupying himself with it for one hundred twenty years and ask him, 'For what do you need this?' And he would say to them, 'The Holy One, blessed be He, is destined to bring a flood upon the world.' Perhaps they would repent." - [Aggadat Beresh*t 1:2, Tanchuma Noach 5, Tan. Buber Beresh*t 37, Genesis Rabbah 30:7]

12/10/2026

THE MONTH OF CHESHVAN: ZECHARIAH BEGINS TO PROPHESY

"In the eighth month [Cheshvan] in the second year of Darius, the word of HaShem came to Zechariah son of Berechiah, son of Iddo the prophet, saying: HaShem was wroth with your fathers, for they provoked Him. And you shall say to them: So said HaShem of Hosts, Return to Me, said HaShem of Hosts, and I will return to you, said HaShem of Hosts." (Zechariah 1:1-3)

This picture shows the returnees from Babylon, beginning reconstruction of the Holy Temple. The first order of business was to uncover the ruins of the First Temple, and at right are seen three prophets, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi, pointing out their detailed memories of the First Temple. The Talmud states (Zevachim 62b): “[The] three prophets returned to the Land of Israel with the people: one attested to the size of the altar, the second attested to its location, and the third attested to the law that permits the presenting of offerings even if the Temple has not yet been built.”

These prophets were residents of Jerusalem during the destruction of the First Temple, and their first-hand testimony of the precise details of the Temple and the altar was accepted by the Men of the Great Assembly. The returnees were thus able to start building. They actually began making offerings on Rosh Hashanah, even before building the Temple, as is written (Ezra 3:1–6): “The seventh month [Tishrei] arrived… They built the altar of the G-d of Israel, to make offerings upon it… From the first day of the seventh month they began to make offerings to G-d, and the Sanctuary of G-d was not yet founded.”

12/10/2026

CHODESH TOV - ROSH CHODESH CHESHVAN

When Rosh Chodesh is two days, the first day is the final day of the outgoing month. The second day is the first day of the incoming month.

"And on the beginning of your months, you shall offer up a burnt offering to HaShem: two young bulls, one ram, and seven lambs in the first year, all unblemished. Three tenths of an ephah of fine flour as a meal offering, mixed with oil for each bull, and two tenths of an ephah of fine flour as a meal offering, mixed with oil for each ram. And one tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil as a meal offering for each lamb. A burnt offering with a spirit of satisfaction, a fire offering to HaShem. And their libations: a half of a hin for each bull, a third of a hin for each ram, and a quarter of a hin for each lamb of w**e; this is the burnt offering of each new month in its month, throughout the months of the year. And one young male goat for a sin offering to HaShem; it shall be offered up in addition to the continual burnt offering and its libation." (Numbers 28:11-15)

12/10/2026

Mikdash Monday – The Mikdash (Holy Temple) in Tanach - October 12, 2026
The Mikdash is not mentioned many times explicitly in the Torah and seldom in the Prophets and Writings. However, we do find it mentioned many times, in subtle ways, under different terms.
In this series, we will be exploring all the ways the Holy Temple makes an appearance.
Rashi, the 11th century commentator, will be used to deepen our understanding of each verse.
#מכוןהמקדש #ביתהמקדש

11/10/2026

THIS WEEK: PARASHAT NOACH: "A RIGHTEOUS MAN"

"These are the generations of Noach, Noach was a righteous man he was perfect in his generations; Noach walked with G-d." (Genesis 6:9)

So begins this week's Torah reading, Noach, (Genesis 6:9 - 11:32).

Noach is the only figure in the Torah who is given the title "Righteous man (ish tzadik)." Yet tradition is divided as to the meaning of the qualification, "on his generation." Does this mean that he was righteous only in comparison to the evil nature of his generation? Or does it praise Noach for his righteousness even while having to live among such a depraved population.

Others compare Noach to Avraham and find Noach to be lacking. Whereas Avraham reached out to help others and to enlighten others as to the reality of G-d in the world, Noach focused only on saving his family and did not call upon his generation to repent of their evil ways.

According to Midrash Noach had already distinguished himself as a historical figure. As we read in the conclusion of last week's Torah reading:

"And Lamech lived a hundred and eighty two years, and he begot a son. And he named him Noach, saying, 'This one will give us rest from our work and from the toil of our hands from the ground, which HaShem has cursed.'" (Genesis 5:28-29)

Rashi interprets the meaning of the name Noach by referring to an ancient Midrash:

"This one will give us rest, (Hebrew yenachamenu). He will give us rest (yanach mimenu) from the toil of our hands. Before Noach came, they did not have plowshares, and he prepared [these tools] for them. And the land was producing thorns and thistles when they sowed wheat, because of the curse of the first man (Adam), but in Noach’s time, it [the curse] subsided. This is the meaning of yenachamenu. If you do not explain it that way, however (but from the root (nacham), the sense of the word does not fit the name, [Noach], and you would have to name him Menachem."

11/10/2026

ROSH CHODESH CHESHVAN!

Today is the first day of a two day Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan celebration. Also known by its more formal name, Marcheshvan, Cheshvan is the eighth month of the Hebrew calendar, and the beginning of the rainy season in Israel. It is also the month in which the great flood of the generation of Noach began.

Wishing all a Chodesh Tov -a very good month ahead!

11/10/2026

SHAVUA TOV & CHODESH TOV FROM THE TEMPLE MOUNT!

Today is the first day of a two day Rosh Chodesh celebration, ushering in the new month of Cheshvan. More than 200 Jews welcomed in Cheshvan this morning from the Temple Mount.

Shavua Tov & Chodesh Tov - have a good week and a good month!שבוע טוב וחודש טוב