Remembering Our Temple

Rav Shmuel Eliyahu also pointed out that one of our obligations during this period of "the three weeks" is that we are not to have היסח הדעת, taking our mind off of, the destruction of the Beit Hamikdash. Therefore, certain activities during this time are inappropriate.

Rav Eliyahu gave an example of staying in a fancy hotel during this period. The luxury of the place will take a person's mind off of remembering our holy Temple.

We are also reminded of the tragedy of this period when we see how the Temple Mount continues to be defiled. The Rav spoke of how sad he was when he saw Arab youth playing soccer on this holy site. It reminded him of Rabbi Akiva who saw jackals on the place of the Beit Hamikdash. Rav Eliyahu made a statement that was not politically correct. He said that we continue to have "animals" defiling our Temple Mount. This knowledge alone should make us realize the loss that we should be feeling at this time.

We should find comfort in knowing that this defilement is also a sign of our coming redemption.