In order to understand what the Bais Hamikdash and the Second Temple in particular- (with which we are most interested here) - meant to our nation, we'll need a bit (but just a bit!) of background.
Jewish history is the story of a nation preparing; of a nation moving towards a goal. For our forefathers, the goal
was the revelation at Mt. Sinai. Since then, we strive both as a
nation and as individuals to reach perfection in Divine service.
The Bais Hamikdash has historically played a giant role in this journey.
In each of its manifestations (whether as
a tent-like tabernacle, Mishkan, or full blown marble, gold and cedar Temple),
the Mikdash has served as the focal point of this national struggle.
Perhaps our growth over the centuries was reflected in the changing appearance
of the Mikdash itself. Perhaps, too, our failings were the cause, not only
of the eventual destruction of the Temples, but of their falling fortunes.
The basic structure
common to each Mikdash included:
- A "Kodesh Hakedoshim" (Holy of Holies), housing
the ark
- A "Kodesh" (to the immediate east of the holy of holies) in which the menorah, showbread-table and the small, golden mizbayach
(altar) were placed
- An uncovered courtyard where the main mizbayach stood.
The Mishkan that Moses erected at the foot
of Mt. Sinai was built in a way that it was able to be taken apart and moved when needed. Dozens of times over the next decades, the curtains, columns, and utensils of the Mishkan were carefully packed away and carried off into the desert behind the guiding pillar of smoke (or, by night, of fire).
Tent-like curtains covered the Mishkan, reflecting
the temporary nature of our lives in those wilderness years.
After fourteen years in Israel, at a time when most
of the country had been subdued for the Jewish settlers, a new Mishkan
was built in {Shilo} with stone walls but the old curtain coverings for
a roof.... Our presence in the land had become a little more permanent.
Shilo stood for 369 years. Upon its
destruction, a more temporary Mishkan was erected, first in Nov,
then in Givon.
Finally, after more than four centuries,
Solomon was allowed to build what was called Bais Olamim - eternal house.
The Jewish people had come home. That Temple might well have remained
a Bais Olamim, but for the sins of our fathers.
With its destruction 410 years after having
been built, the greatest period in our history closed.
The Temple built by Ezra and Nechemiya after
seventy years of exile in Babylonia was a poor copy of the original.
As much as it was refurbished and beautified over the years, the period
of the Second Temple was a time of exile (note that Greek rule was called
the "Greek exile" by our sages - despite the fact that the Temple stood
throughout).
Today, we await the building of the third
Temple - the real Bais Olamim.
Rabbi Boruch Clinton teaches at the Ottawa Torah Institute yeshiva high
school and Machon Sarah high school for girls (both in Ottawa, Canada).
You may reach him with comments and questions at
bclinton@torah.org.
You can now read some of Rabbi Clinton's essays on Torah life at
http://www.ncf.ca/~es625/essays
You can also buy his collection of essays on
the Book of Shmuel (Samuel) in printed form at
www.lulu.com/marbitzmedia
Copyright © 2000 by Rabbi
Boruch
Clinton and Project Genesis, Inc.
