The Jewish Temple or what is better known as the 'Holy Temple' is located in Jerusalem and is basically a chain of structures that stand on the Temple Mount. There were two Temples that stood on this ground and orthodox Jewish belief is that the Jewish Temple served as God's 'footstool' depicting His presence on earth. This is of course a figure of speech.
The First Jewish Temple
According to orthodox Jewish people and Hebrew Bible, the very First Temple was constructed by Solomon, the then King. This was also known as Solomon's Temple and it dates back to the 10th century B.C. This Temple was the centre of orthodox Jewish belief and ancient Judaism. This is what the Hebrew Scriptures tell us.
History also tells us that this Temple was the only place for sacrifices from the Jews and laws also state that the Temple stood there for 375 - 410 years until Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians destroyed it in 586 BC. The Temple also played an important role in traditions that were Masonic.
The Second Jewish Temple
Orthodox Jewish beliefs and history shows us that there was a Second Jewish Temple that was built over the first one. This Temple construction started in 537 BC and due to delays it was only completed in 516 BC. This Temple too was destroyed. This time by the Romans who were under the command of General Titus. In 19 BC, King Herod started the renovation with a vision of a grander Temple. However as soon as the complex was complete it was raised to the grounds by the Romans. Orthodox Jewish belief also tells us that there were a couple of other attempts made to renovate the Temple but all of these failed.
The Construction Of The Third Jewish Temple
After the destruction of the Second Temple, all the Jews including the orthodox Jewish have included a prayer for the construction of the Third Jewish Temple in their daily prayers. However this decision to construct a new Temple had been argued over buy the orthodox Jewish as well as the other sects involved. There are also conflicts on the outside with the world of Christianity and Islam. The current political state of the country ads further complicates to the plans. Added to all of this the traditional location of the Temple is now occupied by the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The Dome of the Rock has been there since the 7th century A.D.
The Jewish Temple Layout
According to orthodox Jewish and non-orthodox Jewish belief the Temple comprised of a court for women on the east and a main area on the west. This main area comprised of an area where the butchering for sacrifices used to take place. The outer altar was also placed here. This is where the offerings were burnt and blood used to be dashed or poured. The Ulam, Heichal and Kodesh Kodashim were contained in the edifice. A wall separated the Heichal that contained the Showbread table, the Menorah and the Altar for Incense. The main courtyard contained 13 gates. According to orthodox Jewish records, there were some differences in the layout of First and Second Jewish Temple.