Strange Glue

[peterbirks]

I receive e-mail alerts from many of the world's newspapers,mainly because I read so damn many of them online (and even pay for some of them). This can lead to strange assumptions on the part of said newspaper's marketing teams. Some of my favourites in the past couple of weeks have been from The Jerusalem Post. However, one that arrived this afternoon bears repeating.
Make of it what you will: I pass no judgements whatsoever....

Build The Temple:


You Build It" Scale Model of the Second Temple
This exciting Model of the Second Beit HaMikdash or Second Temple is a fantastic fun way to learn about the Temple. This Model comes complete, no additional tools needed. NO cutting - NO gluing - NO MESS!

Comments

Er.....

[(Anonymous)]

You'll have to let the rest of us in on the joke.

Re: Er.....

[(Anonymous)]

I'd guess it is because it is labeled "you build it" but then the description says it comes "complete" with no gluing or cutting (i.e. building) necessary.

BluffTHIS!

Re: Er.....

[peterbirks.livejournal.com]

Hi Bluff.

I haven't actually got time to go into this in the detail that is needed (and I hadn't yesterday, hence the brevity), but talk of "Building The Temple" (in fact, the Third Temple, but it's pretty obvious what the politics behind any "Build The Temple" kit are) is a heated theological and political issue in Israel. It's a long time since I read up on this, so please excuse any minor errors.

Entwined in this are strands of religious belief in Judaism and Mohammedanism, and, most importantly, the control of Jerusalem as a whole, in particular, "The Rock" (which the Western Wall abuts),and which Israel seized for a very short time in 1967, before voluntarily handing it back (much to the fury of certain Israeli elements). Both the First Temple and the Second Temple stood on the Rock (well, so it is widely assumed, I'm not sure that it has been conclusively proved) and parts of the Jewish faith say that the Messiah cannot come until the temple is rebuilt.

Unfortunately, the (Muslim) Dome of The Rock is seen by some as being in the way.

You can see the implications.

So, to sell something that (elliptically) talks about "building the temple" is (as are most things in Israel) tied up with all things political. This isn't the same as "build a scale model of Jesus in the Manger".

PJ

Re: Er.....

[(Anonymous)]

Or alternatively, it portrays an opportunity for Israelis to behave in a constructive manner when elements of their government are not doing so.