What was the temple veil? What is the meaning of the temple veil being torn in two when Jesus died?

TL;DR:

The temple veil was a curtain that separated the place where God’s dwelt from the rest of the temple. When Jesus died, the temple veil was torn from top to bottom, removing the barrier between God and people.

what does the bible say?

The veil in the Jewish temple separated the Holy of Holies, where God's presence symbolically dwelt, from the rest of the temple, and only the high priest could enter this sacred area once a year to make atonement for Israel's sins (Exodus 30:10; Hebrews 9:6–7). At Jesus' death, this enormous curtain was miraculously torn from top to bottom, symbolizing that the barrier between God and humanity was removed by God Himself (Matthew 27:50–51). This event signifies that Jesus, now our High Priest, provided atonement for our sins, eliminating the need for a human high priest and marking the beginning of a new covenant (Hebrews 8:1–2, 13). As a result, believers can now approach God directly and confidently through Jesus Christ to receive mercy and grace (Hebrews 4:14–16).

from the old testament

In the Jewish temple, the veil served as the barrier to the Holy of Holies. The Holy of Holies was said to be where God's presence rested and it housed the ark of the covenant. Only the high priest could enter this area, and then only one time per year, to make atonement for the sins of Israel (Exodus 30:10).
First Kings 6:2 records that Solomon's temple was thirty cubits high. This would have been about forty-five feet (or over thirteen-and-a-half meters) tall. The first century Jewish historian Josephus records that Herod extended the temple's height to forty cubits high, about sixty feet tall. He also records that the veil was four inches (about ten centimeters) thick.

from the new testament

Matthew 27:50–51 says, "And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom." Notice the details: 1) Jesus died, 2) the enormous curtain was torn in half, and 3) the tear was from top to bottom, clearly indicating the destruction was not man-made, but came from God.
This connection between the death of Jesus and the torn veil is not just about God's power, but is demonstrative of who Jesus is, what the cross accomplished, and the access we have to God through Christ. Hebrews 8:1–2 notes, "Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man." Jesus Himself now serves as our High Priest. There is no longer a need for a Jewish high priest to stand before the Lord and make atonement for our sins. Jesus has provided for our atonement through His death on the cross.
The tearing of the veil also helped to mark the beginning of a new covenant. Hebrews 8:13 states, "In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away."

implications for today

A powerful application of the tearing of the curtain veil from top to bottom is described in Hebrews 4:14–16: "Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Instead of coming to a priest, we can directly and boldly come before God through Jesus Christ to receive mercy and grace. Jesus meets our needs and even identifies with our weaknesses. The tearing of the veil is profoundly significant and provides a pictorial foundation for how we can approach God today. God has torn down the barrier between Himself and us through the work of Jesus.

understand

The temple veil separated the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place and the temple courtyard. The Holy of Holies housed the ark of the covenant and thus was where God's presence symbolically dwelt. Only the high priest could enter once a year.
The veil in the temple was enormous and thick.
At Jesus' death, the veil was torn from top to bottom, symbolizing the removal of the barrier between God and humanity and marking the start of a new covenant.

reflect

How does the tearing of the temple veil impact your understanding of the accessibility of God through Jesus Christ?
What does it look like to boldly and confidently approach God, knowing that the temple veil’s barrier has been removed?
Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God. How can the knowledge that Jesus removed the barrier between you and God help you draw closer to Him now?

engage

How does the temple veil being torn from top to bottom deepen your understanding of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross?
How can the church today emphasize the direct access believers have to God through Jesus, and how can this transform our worship and prayer life?
How does Jesus as our High Priest, who sympathizes with our weaknesses, provide comfort and encouragement to us?