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Mr. Elijah Prophet
Dear Mr. Prophet,
Thank you for submitting, or rather, announcing your proposal for a Third Temple, "Beis
HaMikdash Shlishi", a large synagogue-type development in the Jerusalem municipality. We are
pleased that you have selected our city for this project. We have conducted a preliminary
assessment of your project's feasibility, and note the following issues which must be
satisfactorily addressed for municipal approval prior to construction.
Moreover, we note that this site is not zoned for an abbatoir and open-air grill (we assume
this is
some type of restaurant), so a mixed-used designation would be required, which might require
an
amendment to the City's Master Plan. It may be more likely that Moshiach will come before
the
Master Plan can be amended. If, however you need a liquor license for the open air grill,
that can
be arranged in a much shorter timeframe. Alternative sites should be considered. Perhaps the
Teddy Kollek Soccer Stadium can be retrofitted for your purposes.
We would also need to know about any other possible alternative uses for this Temple, such as
concession space, concerts, soccer matches, political demonstrations, etc., to investigate
other
planning and zoning requirements. The municipal Tourism Department has noted that the
proposed facility is underused at night, and you might wish to consider adding a VIP lounge,
catering hall for b'nei mitzvot/weddings, jacuzzi/hot tub, sushi bar, casino, discotheque or
cinema. The single "menorah" you have mentioned would in our opinion provide insufficient
lighting for nighttime use, and additional lighting sources should be considered.
A deposit of $50,000 (in U.S. funds) is also required.
While we respect your opinion that the establishment of the Third Temple is solely in your
client's hands, our Legal Department has determined that the municipality has jurisdiction
for
development before, during and even after the Messianic Era. In the event that your client
acts
unilaterally, we will immediately seek an injunction through the courts. This should be
avoided
at all costs by adhering to the municipality's approval process, which is expected to take
4-5
years. Again, we thank you for considering building your project in Jerusalem and look
forward
to further discussions and refinements of this important project and tourist attraction.
Sincerely,
Jewish World Review August 3, 1999 / 21 Av, 5759
Planning the Third Temple
By Jordan Max
c/o Messianic Era Developments Ltd.
Jerusalem
The proposed site, being the current Temple Mount, is zoned B-1 for a religious institution.
However, we understand that you also plan to conduct "animal sacrifices" (further explanation
is
required) and hold a court of Jewish Law there as well. Our Religious Affairs department
informs us that this is quite unusual for a synagogue, and this would have to be reviewed
carefully. We note that City by-laws prohibit bringing farm animals into the city proper.
Notwithstanding your claim that smoke will ascend directly upward, a noxious odor abatement
plan will be required.
You had stated that your "Beis HaMikdash Shlishi" concept will accomodate millions of persons
on the three major pilgrimage holidays, hundreds of thousands on Shabbat, and thousands on a
daily basis. We are doubful that the space available will adequately handle these large
crowds,
and current fire code regulations for occupancy will have to be strictly followed. As well,
adequate parking has not been addressed in the development plans. Use of this Temple will
likely generate considerable traffic and congestion, even if public transit is assumed to be
available. We note that the space under the Temple Mount may be suitable for underground
parking, however, as with anywhere in Jerusalem, excavations frequently lead to archeological
finds, which may preclude its use. As well, local residents may not be in favour of such a
large
development and traffic volume. We suggest that their input and agreement would be most
helpful in the approval process. There are also day care centre, public washrooms,
non-smoking
area, lighting, signage and conscientious objector (the "apikoros" by-law) requirements
which
must be satisfied.
Once these issues have been resolved, architectural plans and designs will have to be
reviewed by
our Urban Design Committee, comprised of local councillors who will review the height,
density, artistic and asthetic design, and may require significant alterations. To date we
have not
received any specific model or drawings. Notwithstanding your claim that your client, G-d
Himself will build the project, we would need to see the drawings and confirm his
architect's,
contractor's and sub-trades qualifications and licenses. The Ministries of Labour and
Interior
will need to review the immigration and work permits of all construction workers. This being
Israel, we also anticipate that construction will take considerably longer than a day, as you
maintain, therefore arrangements will have to be made for local disruption during
construction.
The Planning Commission
City of Jerusalem
JWR contributor Jordan Max is a Toronto-based humorist and columnist for
The Candian Jewish News. Send your comments to him by clicking here.
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