Living Image

If not for his desire to promote the study of everything related to the Beis Hamikdash, chances are Eliezer Ben Hamu would never have agreed to a media interview. This 52-year-old graphics and video whiz has been a dedicated mechanech for over three decades, and he’d still prefer to stay under the radar. He’s even had no problem giving the rights of his photos to other publications as long as it encourages people to learn. Yet despite his self-effacing nature, his 3D photos and video images have become the visualized face of the Beis Hamikdash for so many, and chances are you’re familiar with them too.

Ben Hamu, an Ashdod native, began teaching within the Chinuch Atzmai network more than 30 years ago as part of an arrangement with the IDF, where young men can teach in outlying areas or other qualifying schools in lieu of army service.

Ben Hamu was always looking for outlets with which to inspire his young charges. At first it was his music (he plays professionally in various public venues), and once he taught himself the rudiments of the specialized field of computer animation, especially 3D animation, it was a new frontier.

Over a period of a year and a half, he developed a fresh method for creating three-dimensional images. And then, when he met with someone who had developed a similar method, he realized that their pooled knowledge could create a superior product.