Ulpana Girls Academy - Kiryat Arba
"These are the accounts of the Mishkan; the Mishkan of testimony..." (Shmot 38, 21)
Regarding this statement in the Torah our Sages, Z"l taught
us: Why is the word Mishkan mentioned twice? Because, said R.
Shmuel b. Martha, the Temple was twice taken as a pledge or
security (Mashkon) on their (the Israelites) account ... (and)
what is the meaning of "testimony" Said R. Shimon son
of R. Ishmael: It is a testimony to the whole world that there is
forgiveness for Israel."
With these words Chazal expressed their firm belief that the destruction (burning) of our Mikdash must not be defined as actual destruction but rather as a Mashkon (security - the temporary transfer of a possession from borrower to lender). The difference between the two definitions is of course great, for an item which has been utterly destroyed is lost from its possessor as well as from all man and no remorse can aid in its restoration. However, when an item is given as a security - as soon as the borrower makes good in returning the loan - his former posession will be returned to him!
Am Yisrael is eternally obligated to repay the Creator for His many favors by observing the Torah and Mitzvot. When we abandon our commitments we remain obligated to him (Hashem Yitbarach) as a borrower to a lender. And then in the eyes of man it is as if the wood and stones of the Mikdash were burned and have been consumed. However through the vision of Emunah we see that there is no total consumption since the Neshama of the Mikdash rises to the heavens and dwells with Hakadosh Baruch Hu until we repent - and then the Mikdash is returned to us as in days of old.
On the basis of this concept the Second Temple serves as
evidence that there is forgiveness to Israel for the sins of the
First Temple; and in the future the Third Temple will give
evidence that there is forgiveness for all the sins from the time
of the Second Temple until that very day.
Am Yisrael expresses this belief three times a day since the
destruction (of the Second Temple) by declaring the words:
"And you shall return to Jerusalem your city and you will
dwell within it as you have said..." And it is that very
Emunah which has fostered a growth in the revival movement two
hundred years ago, in the World Zionist Organization one hundred
years ago, and continues to breathe vitality and spirit into
Medinat Yisrael even today.
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Shalom Horowitz
Rabbi Horowitz is a Rav Mechanech at the Ulpana
Girls Academy - Kiryat Arba
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