Longing for the Temple

The period of בין המצרים, “the three weeks”, begins this Thursday with the Fast of שבעה עשר בתמוז. The Netivot Shalom has a fascinating interpretation of the significance of this period. He begins by expressing the need to feel the loss at not having a functioning Temple. The mourning we are to particularly feel at this time is that a Jew should not feel שלם, complete without our beloved בית המקדש. There is a story told of a Chassidic Rebbe who listened to a disciple complain of all of his troubles that he was suffering. The Rebbe was a little annoyed with his incessant complaining. The Rebbe asked him if he thought for one moment the pain that was felt by going another day without sacrificing the daily קרבן תמיד. Therefore, the first stage at preparing for this difficult period ahead, is to first focus at the great loss of not having a Temple functioning in Jerusalem. More to follow.