Page 16 - HaMizrachi # 21 Tisha B'Av 2020 USA

GLOBAL RELIGIOUS LEADERS

Chief Rabbi David Lau

Two Temples, Two Goals

he Gemara (Yoma 9b) However, when the building no G-d’s Home, the symbol of base-
says the First Temple was longer served as a source of spiri- less love and unity, intact. Thus the
Tdestroyed because of idol tual inspiration for the people – and Temple was destroyed because it
worship, illicit relations, and blood- they degenerated into the three car- was necessary to shock the people
shed. The Second Temple – when dinal sins – there was no reason to again, so they would understand
the people did study Torah, keep leave it standing. the evil of their actions, and begin
the commandments and do good to gather the fragments to rebuild
deeds – was destroyed because of The Second Temple was built with a themselves and their physical and
baseless hatred. completely different purpose. Ezra
knew, as did the people, that their spiritual unity.
The Maharal of Prague is puzzled spiritual level was not as it once
by the lack of proportion between was. A few prophets still remained Hence the destruction of both Batei
the transgressions in both cases. but the people were beginning to Mikdash, though indeed for dispro-
One must not transgress a Torah disperse among the nations. Inter- portionate reasons, served precisely
prohibition unless one’s life is in marriage was rife and there was real the same purpose, as was needed at
danger. Nevertheless, there are three concern for the physical existence those two particular points in our
exceptions (in certain cases), in of the Jewish people, let alone their history.
which even if one’s life is in danger, spiritual survival.
he is obliged to die rather than Now, in our times, the rebuilding
transgress these prohibitions – idol Therefore, the second Beit HaMik- work has begun: “Thus says the
worship, illicit relations and murder. dash was not on the same spiritual L-rd G-d: I am taking the Children
level as the first. Not only because it of Israel from among the nations
Despite the great importance of all lacked five basic elements – like the to which they have gone, and will
the commandments between man Ark of the Covenant, for example gather them from every quarter,
and his fellow man, baseless hatred – but because this House did not and bring them to their own Land.
is not even strictly defined as a merit the same level of inspiration I will make them one nation in
Torah prohibition. from the Shechina. the Land... They shall never again

The Maharal explains the dispar- Nevertheless, the nation was defile themselves with their idols
ity by saying there is a difference happy, because the goal of stop- and their detestable things, or with
between the two Batei Mikdash. ping national splintering had been any of their sins... They shall be my
The first Beit HaMikdash was built achieved. Everyone would gather in people and I will be their G-d...
as a direct continuation of the one place where they would unite
Mishkan, the Tabernacle. The pur- as one people, with one spiritual ...I will make a covenant of peace
pose of this structure was to make purpose. They would try to perhaps with them, an everlasting covenant
us feel close to G-d. The Almighty restore the spiritual level of the with them… and will set my Sanc-
does not need a home. He com- former Temple. One spiritual center tuary among them for evermore.
manded us to build a Mishkan and a common to those in Zion and to My dwelling-place shall be with
Mikdash for our benefit. their exiled brethren in Babylon. them and I will be their G-d, and
they shall be My people. Then the
After the people came out of Egypt, However, writes the Maharal, when nations shall know that I the L-rd
they asked, “Is the L-rd present this Temple too no longer fulfilled sanctify Israel, when My Sanctu-
among us or not?” (Shemot 17:7). its purpose, i.e. when hatred and
Then G-d tells them, ‘I will give disunity infected the people to the ary is among them for evermore”
you a place where you will feel the extent that great Sages sat still and (Yechezkel 37: 21-28).
inspiration of the Shechina, and you did not protest the demeaning of May we see this fulfilled speedily in
will never ask such a question again’ a Jew (the famous story of Kamtza our days.
(Kitri, article 3). The Beit HaMik- and Bar Kamtza) – and when this
dash is designed for humans, to help became a common occurrence, Rabbi David Lau is the Ashkenazi Chief
them ascend the path of holiness. there was no justification to leave Rabbi of Israel

16 |