Yom Tov: (Jewish Studies) Wednesday, March 18, 2011 11 Adar II, 5771 (Your Jewish Calendar)

Wednesday, March 18, 2011

11 Adar II, 5771 Yom Tov ערב טוב Yom Tov in two words "Good Day" symbolize and embody the Scripture   "This is the Day that the Lord has made I will rejoice and be glad in it" Since God created the day from the night in genesis and called it good, it is possible He might have looked at the day dawning and said: "Yom Tov" -Eben Micha'el Ya'akov ben Avraham-

Dedication of Herod's Renovated Temple (11 BCE)

After 334 years, the 2nd Holy Temple in Jerusalem (see "Today in Jewish History" for Adar 3) was in disrepair. In the year 19 BCE, King Herod I floated the idea of rebuilding and renovating the Temple. Though many Jews were wary of Herod’s motives, the renovation was completed eight years later. The new structure was magnificent, causing the Talmud to state: "He who has not seen Herod's edifice has not seen a magnificent edifice!"