About Me


I first learned tractate Middos after college and have been thinking about the structure and layout of the Beis Hamikdash ever since. My work on this topic helped get me a job writing for Artscroll/Mesorah and I was privileged to author Tractate Middos for the Schottenstein Edition of the Talmud, the Yad Avraham Mishnah Series, and The Mishnah Elucidated. I have also built a 3D computer model of the Temple based on my research in tractate Middos which I use in slideshows to inform people about this important topic. I have recently published a book which features many of my thoughts and images in one place.

I received a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry from the University of Maryland Baltimore County, and a Masters Degree and Doctorate in Talmudic Law from the Ner Israel Rabbinical College. View my Blogger profile here. Email can be sent to yoavelan at gmail.

25 comments:

  1. My four year old son is visually impaired, but very bright. Recently I've introduced him to lego (as opposed to duplo) and the first thing he said when we started building a tower was "it's a colorful beis hamikdosh!"
    Anyway, that led me to wanting to build a beis hamikdosh with him using the tons of lego we have. Do you know where I can find instructions to do that without buying a specific model set?
    Thanks in advance.
    Liba

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  2. I am very happy that you have introduced your son to Lego at such a young age. Unfortunately, I am not aware of any instructions for the Beis Hamikdash and for my own models I am designing the instructions myself (and these are for a large-scale model which is probably beyond what most people would want to build in their living room :). I would recommend using one of the many picture books available on the Beis Hamikdash and try to base your models on those images. Unless you are particularly concerned about every little detail, that would be a great way to start.

    Good luck.

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  3. Your blog is amazing!

    I am God willing going to build a scale model for use with standard mini-figs. Working out details between MLCad, my own Legos, standard paint program and our local Legoland store. Money, time and tracking down parts (bulk order?) is what it takes. Any collaboration would be wonderful. My email which was signed up today (y****k@y****.com).

    Thanks again and continued success!

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  4. Your enthusiasm is very refreshing! Where is "local" for you? A great place to start with Lego bricks, esp. for bulk orders, is Bricklink.com. Do share your progress.

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  5. I have quoted from your blog and used two of your illustrations at http://hearingshofar.blogspot.com/2013/07/shofar-in-second-temple.html. I trust this is acceptable.

    Let me know when you add information about shofar blowing at the Temple.

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  6. Sure thing. Glad you found it useful.

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  7. Hi. We are a school in Lakewood working on a booklet to give out to our students about the Bais Hamikdash. We would like to be in touch with you regarding your pictures. what is the best way?

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for the interest in my work. You can reach me by writing to yoavelan at gmail.

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  8. Hello Yoav Elan. My name is Sonia Hidalgo. I am Architekt. I invite you to join the group: Temple Builders:
    https://www.facebook.com/groups/477891609006878/
    https://www.facebook.com/soniahidalgoz

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  9. hi
    i allways wanted to make a 3d beis hamikdash on the computer
    which app did you use to make your pictures?

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  10. I use Cinema 4D by Maxon. Hatzlachah!

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  11. Hi Yoav

    My name is Les Saidel. I live in Karnei Shomron in Israel and run the Saidel Artisan Baking Institute. www.saidels.com. We specialize in baking classes specifically related to Jewish Breads. One of our workshops is called Breads of the Beit Hamikdash where we teach all about the different Menachot.

    I am involved in extensive research related to the Lechem Hapanim, trying to recreate it and am currently writing a sefer on it.

    In researching this subject I wanted to ask for your help as an expert on Masechet Middot.

    I am specifically interested in the topic of geometrical motifs used in the mishkan, bayit rishon and bayit sheni.

    My question to you is as follows.

    Aside from the ramps leading up to the mizbeach, were there any other triangular shaped structures or kelim used in the mishkan and bayit rishon. I know that in bayit sheni the arch of shaar tedi was triangular and that archeologists found courtyard floor tiles from Herods temple that had triangular patterns, but I am very interested if the triangular shape was used much in the mishkan and bayit rishon, as much as right angled shapes (squares/rectangles) and circles/semicircles.

    Please email me at shezles@saidels.com

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  12. שלום וברכה
    אני צריך לדבר איתף בדחיפות
    תודה רבה
    0548495411

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  13. Hi, great pictures- Is there a way to get pics emailed so we use it in our daily daf yomi?

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  14. Thanks for the comment. You can be in touch with me via email at yoavelan@gmail.com with more specific information and I'll see what I can do.

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  15. i am buiding the insides of the heichel.
    do you have information and sketches on the 4 layers of the ceiling dividing the 2 floors of the heichal
    כיור
    בית דילפא
    תקרה
    מעזיבה

    thanking you
    מעזיבה

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  16. I don't think I have that on my blog yet, but if you email me I can send you some pics from my book on that topic.

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  17. I was reading something you published about the alter. You mentioned near the SW corner are two silver bowls. I have never heard that before. Can you refer me to your source material on this? Claiborne.mize@gmail.com

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    1. Sure, these bowls are mentioned in the Mishnah, Succah 4:9.

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  18. Sholom Rabbi Elan, I heard that at the top of the kevesh there was a gap that had a ramp that led to the shissin. Is it possible that the Rov can tell me who says this. I have looked in the Bartenura, the Tosfos Yom Tov, Tiferes Yisroel and Ezras Cohanim but I haven't found it.
    Can the Rov tell me?
    Thank you.

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    Replies
    1. I saw this source in Tiferes Yisrael Mizbeyach Diagram §16 (https://hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=14283&st=&pgnum=259). Hope that is what you are looking for!

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  19. Sholom Rabbi Elan, I heard that Aliyas Beis Avtinas was unroofed. Is it possible that the rov can tellme if it is true?

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  20. Sure, Tiferes Yisrael to Tamid 1:1 §4 says that it was unroofed.

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  21. Wondering who the overseer was who would chant grind it thin...because the rhythmic sound is good for the spices? Was it a fellow kohain or a Levi...or?????

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    1. I can't say for sure, but I don't think that it *had* to be a Kohen. It was likely one of the Avitnas family members because they probably didn't want strangers snooping around the ketores production area for the identity of the secret ingredient!

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