LEAD TIDBIT If so, then it is only fair that we apply the same "in those days, in this time" to tragedies as well. More than fair, it is very important for us to do that, because it is the only way to learn from history, and to do something towards rectifying the mistakes of the past. The 17th of Tamuz marks the day of the Breaking of the Luchot, i.e. the day of the Sin of the Golden Calf. That actually happened "Bayamim HaHeim". Unfortunately, variations of the same sin have occurred throughout Jewish History, and continue to happen "in this time". It might not be a golden calf today, but there are Jews whose faith in G-d is wishy-washy enough to declare, "these are your gods, Israel". We've taken many opportunities in the pages of Torah Tidbits to address the issue of today's Meraglim. Today's Jews who would prefer the comfortable communities of today's Midbar to life in THE place where G-d wants us to be. This is BAYAMIM HAHEIM, BIZMAN HAZEH for Tish'a b'Av. We might not use this phrase on these fast days, but we must realize that it is there, heavily weighing upon us and challenging us to "do something about it". "Every generation in whose time the Beit HaMikdash is not rebuilt, it is as if it was destroyed in that generation." Why? Because Bayamim HaHeim Bizman HaZeh applies to calamities. Because we still do the same things that caused the destruction of Jerusalem and the Mikdash. Because we have the potential to "repair" the damage of previous generations and merit the Geula. To use today's terminology, we must be pro-active. Parshat Pinchas gives us a glimpse of the Geula, by showing us what should have always been: The daughters of Tzelofchad and their yearning for Eretz Yisrael. The Musafim of the Chagim, brought in the Beit HaMikdash. [The Parshat Pinchas Homepage]
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