Rabbi Menachem Makover Shares Journey From Secular Youth to Temple Scholar and Creator of Golden Menorah
Rabbi Menachem Makover recounts in a Channel 7 podcast his transformation from a secular teenager in Ramat Gan to a leading Torah scholar and creator of the Golden Menorah in Jerusalem's Jewish Quarter. Initially unfamiliar with Judaism, his spiritual quest began at age 16 with a profound realization that science and religion do not conflict. This led him to attend a Shabbat meal at Dr. Tsikoni's home and later to study at the Ponovezh Yeshiva, where he was deeply moved by the communal prayer experience. Despite family challenges, including the loss of his father and his mother's Holocaust survivor background, Makover pursued Torah study with determination.
His journey included learning under prominent rabbis such as Rabbi Zvi Yehuda Kook, Rabbi Shach, Rabbi Yitzchak Ginsburgh, and Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu. He resisted pressures to affiliate exclusively with one religious stream, instead embracing diverse Torah traditions. Makover was also a founding member of the settlement Bat Ayin, aimed at baalei teshuva, and helped establish its first Talmud Torah.
A pivotal moment came when he researched the First Temple and discovered the detail of two pairs of cherubs in the Holy of Holies, sparking his lifelong dedication to Temple studies. He joined and later led the Temple Institute, expanding research, education, and the construction of Temple vessels. The Golden Menorah, initially made of brass and later gold-plated, stands today overlooking the Temple Mount, funded by a surprising donation of 800,000 shekels from a businessman introduced by the Chief Rabbi of Ukraine.
Makover has authored numerous books on the Tabernacle, First and Second Temples, sacrifices, and the Third Temple, aiming to make complex Kabbalistic and Temple teachings accessible without losing depth. Encouraged by Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu, he also reissued classic Kabbalistic works by Ramchal, Ramak, and Leshem. Additionally, Makover was instrumental in developing Bar-Ilan University's digital Shulchan Aruch project, bridging Torah and technology. He recalls receiving blessings and encouragement from the Lubavitcher Rebbe to continue his work on the Temple and Torah education.
Today, Rabbi Makover is recognized as a key figure in Torah scholarship and Temple education, with his Golden Menorah serving as a symbol of his lifelong mission and hope for the rebuilding of the Temple.
