Parasha Thoughts
By Rabbi Yosef Shemtov
Tisha Be’Av is the saddest day in Jewish history. Every year we commemorate the destruction of both temples on this day by fasting and performing rituals of mourners. We sit on the floor until midday, we don’t take showers, and refrain from regular Torah study. The rabbis tell us the first temple was destroyed because of three cardinal sins: idol worship, adultery, and murder. The second temple was destroyed only because there was baseless hatred among Beni Israel.
This month is called Av which means father. The reason for this name is when a father punishes his children, it is not because he hates them. Rather, he loves them greatly and wants to discipline them in order to direct them to good behavior.
Even though G-d destroyed the temple, he is hinting to us that he is forever our father and is waiting for us to come back to him.
Since the second temple was destroyed because of baseless hatred, we know that as long as the third temple is not built we are continuing that sin. If we focus on baseless love, we can bring Mashiach and the third Beit Hamikdash.
On behalf of Yachad Kollel, I would like to wish everyone an easy and meaningful fast.