The Third Temple

By: Yishai Sarid, Yardenne Greenspan - translator

Narrated by: Josh Bloomberg

Who will rule the Holy Land, and at what cost?

In a near-future Jerusalem, harrowing omens plague the city: a desecrated altar, an unbearable stench, a rampant famine. Shaken but devout, Jonathan, the royal family's third son, continues to hold services and offer animal sacrifices at the prophesied Third Temple, built to consecrate the founding of the new Kingdom of Judah. His father, Israel's self-appointed king, has abolished the Supreme Court. The Torah is the law of the land, and only people of the Jewish faith are allowed in. When war breaks out and an angel of God begins to torment Jonathan, warning him of his father's sacrilege, the foundations of the young priest's faith—and then his world—begin to give way.

Winner of the prestigious Bernstein Prize, The Third Temple plunges listeners into a tempest of fanaticism, betrayal, and destruction. Where does the power of man end and the power of God begin? With chilling resonance, this vivid novel from one of Israel's leading authors sounds an unforgettable warning amidst rising extremism.

©2015 Yishai Sarid; translation copyright 2025 by Yardenne Greenspan (P)2024 Tantor Media

Depressingly accurate

Takes everything you know about dystopia and applies Jewish theology. Although any fan of dystopia should appreciate this story, it does help if you have familiarity with the Torah and the Israelite practices during Temple worship.

Brutally representative of a potential future that is in no way far fetched. I will recommend this book to many people.

Creepy and a bit depressing

I basically did not like the storyline of this book. It has a post-apocalyptical theme where a third Judaic Kingdom is created from the ashes of nuclear attacks. The main character is a priest and it seems his job is sacrificing animals everyday as described in the bible. If you like animals, it's very upsetting. For me, I think the main issue of the book is there are no truly likable characters or happy events.

For people who have enjoyed The Hunger Games, The Handmaid's Tale, or the novel 1984, You might like this book.