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Names of the Book

THE GLORY OF THE TEMPLE- unknown artist

English:  Haggai
Hebrew:  חגי
Transliterated:  Hagai
Other names:   

 

whoWho

Wrote the book:  Haggai
Are the key people:  Haggai, Zerubbabel, Joshua
Is it written to:  The people of southern tribe of Judah who had returned to the land of Israel.

 

whatWhat

The call to rebuild the Temple (Haggai 1:1-15)
The encouragement to complete the Temple (Haggai 2:1-23)

 

whenWhen

Was it written:  c 516 BCE
Did the events occur:  c 517-513 BCE
Was it canonized:  c 499-100 BCE
(see the Timeline of the Tanakh)

 

whereWhere

Was it written:  Jerusalem
Did the events occur:  Jerusalem

 

whyWhy

Haggai was written to inform us that: 
We should have G-dly priorities.
G-d will encourage us in His priorities.

 

whyIntroduction

Haggai provides a prophetic and historical message when Jewish exiles were returning to Jerusalem from Babylon. They began rebuilding the Temple but gave up after repeated discouragement and the distractions of pursuing wealth dissuaded them. Haggai exhorted and inspired them to complete the task and delivered stinging rebukes for their neglect of G-d's house. His call to repentance in their personal lives led to a heartfelt return to the task of restoring the Temple which symbolized G-d's restored presence in their midst.

 

 

Torah Portion

unknown

 

 

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Today is

Yom Sh'lishi, 9 Adar II, 5784

Tuesday, March 19, 2024

 

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