Wood and Stones

One of the explanations for the destruction of the two Temples is that it was preferred that Hashem pour out His wrath against a building of wood and stones, rather than on His children.

This is also the explanation why we were forced to go into Galut, exile. If we were completely held accountable for the rebellious behavior we showed while living in the land, we may not have been able to survive as a people, G-d forbid.

This idea is implied by the verses mentioned in the Torah. When the nations of the world will see how the Jews were banished from the land, they will not understand. They will realize that this was because they chose to forsake the Torah. But they will wonder why Hashem took out His wrath on that land.

The implication is that despite this wrath, His love for His people would not allow Him to destroy them. He took out His anger on the buildings of wood and stone, and not on them.

We see that it is clear that the Galut was a curse. The Jewish people have had to endure the most difficult hardships imaginable. Yet, there was some blessing in it as well. Hashem promised that even when we were outside of our land, He would not forsake us. He would be there, whenever we called out to Him.

It is so important that we recognize Hashem’s abundant kindness towards us. Our survival as a people, is one of the most remarkable miracles of history.

Despite all odds, our strictly adhering to the dictates of the Torah, kept us going. We never stopped praying for the time when the Galut would end, and we would return to our homeland.

The High Holudays are clearly a time of reflection and self awareness. We are so fortunate to be a part of Am Yisrael. The buildings of wood and stone will once again be rebuilt and the glory of the Jewish people will be restored. We are witnessing history unfolding before our very eyes, and great days are ahead. We only need to learn history’s lessons and return to Hashem in truth and sincerity.