The Temple in Jerusalem or Holy Temple (Hebrew: בית המקדש, Bet HaMikdash ; "The Holy House"), refers to a series of structures located on the Temple Mount (Har HaBayit) in the old city of Jerusalem. Historically, two temples were built at this location, and a future Temple features in Jewish eschatology. According to classical Jewish belief, the Temple (or the Temple Mount) acts as the figurative "footstool" of God’s presence (Heb. "shechina") in the physical world.

The First Temple was built by King Solomon in seven years during the 10th century BCE in 957 BCE. It was the center of ancient Judaism.[1] The Temple replaced the Tabernacle of Moses and the Tabernacles at Shiloh, Nov, and Givon as the central focus of Jewish faith. This First Temple was destroyed by the Babylonians in 587 BCE. Construction of a new temple was begun in 537 BCE; after a hiatus, work resumed 520 BCE, with completion occurring in 516 BCE and dedication in 515. As described in the Book of Ezra, rebuilding of the Temple was authorized by Cyrus the Great and ratified by Darius the Great. Five centuries later, this Second Temple was renovated by Herod the Great in about 20 BCE. It was subsequently destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE (see The Siege of Jerusalem in 70 CE). All of the outer walls still stand, although the Temple itself has long since been destroyed, and for many years it was believed that the western wall of the complex was the only wall standing.

Sadly enough the abomination that causes desolation has been in the Temple’s place, an Islamic shrine, the Dome of the Rock, has stood on the site of the Temple since the late 7th Century CE, and the al-Aqsa Mosque, from roughly the same period, also stands on the Temple courtyard. Jewish eschatology envisions the construction of The Third Temple in Jerusalem associated with the coming of The Messiah, and thus, adherents of Orthodox and Conservative Judaism anticipate a Third Temple. On August 30, 2007, what appears to be the remains of the Second Temple were discovered during the installation of pipes in the compound.[2] Then, in October 2007, archaeologists confirmed the discovery of First Temple artifacts.[ Even though the 2,000-year-old dream of building the Third Temple was postponed, the desire and the obligation to build the Israeli house of God still lives. Several movements have been born as a result of the desire to "arise and build."

The Temple Institute overlooks the Western Wall Plaza and the Temple Mount itself. The Institute has dedicated itself to making the necessary preparations for the time when temple worship and daily sacrifices can be restored. At the present time, over 50% of the utensils and vessels needed for the temple ceremonies have been recreated--duplicating as closely as possible those utilized in the First and Second Temple eras. One of the prime activities of the Temple Institute is the training of young rabbis in the offering of sacrifices and the performing of temple services. According to one of the Temple Institute's officials, the architectural drawings for the building of the Third Temple have been completed and in waiting for some time.

The Temple Mount Faithful movement was formed by Gershon Salomon. The Temple Mount Faithful attempted to place a cornerstone on the Temple Mount in 1990 for the beginning of the temple. A riot resulted, the police came, and before order was restored, seventeen had died. Since then, Gershon Salomon has not been allowed to visit the Temple Mount; nevertheless, each October, Salomon and his followers conduct a symbolic cornerstone laying in an attempt to remind the people of Israel that they are mandated by God to build His house.

Why Rebuild the Temple? Number 20 of the 613 commandments in the Torah (according to Maimonides) calls for the building of a Temple building in Jerusalem if one does not exist or orders the maintenance of a Temple if it exists. Orthodox Jews during the diaspora call for the eventual building of the Temple in Jerusalem.