Parasha Thoughts
By Rabbi Shlomo Zargari
As we all know, the period we are in is called בין ×”×ž×¦×¨×™× “Ben Hamesarim,” days dedicated for mourning of the destruction of our holy and beloved Temple. A point could be made that we wouldn’t need reminders during the three weeks if we had been thinking about the temple throughout the year. However, we actually ask for the redemption three times daily! We beg HaShem for the rebuilding of Yerushalayim, for the scion of King David, and for us ” to see your return to Yerushalayim.” After the Amidah, we ask for the Temple to be rebuilt. In the Grace after the meal, the third blessing is all about Yerushalayim and the Temple. We dedicate major portions of the tefilot on weekdays, Shabbat, and Yamim Tovim to the offerings we would bring in the Temple. We lament the fact that we can’t have the services in our Temple and we are awaiting the end of exile and asking for the final redemption soon in our days. Why then is there a need to dedicate a period of the year for this remembrance?
The Maggid of Duvna of blessed memory has a story for us. A very wealthy businessman had a son with an attitude. The father would always tolerate his son and try to bring him to the right path with kindness. Once when this son acted with extreme rudeness towards his father and could not be pardoned, the father commanded him out of the house and sent him away. The arrogant son thought he could manage without his father; he went out into the world and tried different ways of making a living. The father was pained by his behavior, but of course loved him. He followed up on his son’s whereabouts and heard that his son was wandering from place to place, city to city, working hard and not succeeding.
The man was sad and hoped that his son would learn his lesson and change his ways. He wanted him to repent and return to his father. If only he would ask for forgiveness, the man would accept him with open arms.
One day a merchant came for business to his city from the city where his son was living and they engaged in conversation and dealings for business. When they were done, the talk went from one subject to another and led to the outcast son. The merchant asked ,â€When will you bring him back?” The father said, “When he will ask for forgiveness and show a desire to come to the right path.” “Great,” said the merchant, “I will be his agent and show you his remorse and beg your forgiveness for him! I will go to him and bear the good news…”
A sad smile came upon the face of the father as he said, “No, my dear, you aren’t a bearer of good news, not for me or him…”
“Why, if he would come or send a messenger you would certainly accept it!”
The father said, “True, but do you see the difference? I want him to realize his wrongdoings and regret and repent. If he were to come or send a messenger to ask for a second chance, I would surely comply. But you weren’t sent by him. You came for business and then asked about him and decided to vouch for him. You see how that won’t work…”
Everyday we pray for our needs, life, health and livelihood. We remember that we are in exile and missing the Temple, and we stick a little prayer for that too. That’s not enough! We need more … That’s why the Hachamim dedicated these weeks, so we can focus during this time on the destruction and the outcome, so we can look within ourselves and ask from the bottom of our hearts for the redemption and rebuilding of our Temple and beg for a second chance.
And then…our father will accept our prayers and with open arms and mercy come to rest in Yerushalayim. Amen