Destruction As The 1st Stage Of Construction
Sichos in English

 Shabbos Parshas Dvarim, Shabbos Chazon; 6th Day of Menachem Av, 5750

1. Rav Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev interpreted the term “Shabbos Chazon” to mean the Shabbos of vision, the time when each individual is given a chance to see the third Beis HaMikdash. On the surface, this is the direct opposite of the simple interpretation of the name that connects it to the Haftora, the vision of Yeshayahu, which is a particularly harsh reproof of the Jewish people. [For this reason, it is included among the three Haftoros of retribution which are read before Tisha B’Av.] The consolation of the Jewish people begins only after Tisha B’Av. However, according to the above interpretation, on the Shabbos before Tisha B’Av each Jew receives the most complete consolation possible, the revelation of the third Beis HaMikdash.

This difficulty can be resolved within the context of the explanation of the concept “a descent which is intended for an ascent.” The concept of descent in and of itself has no place in Creation. G-d is the essence of good, and “it is the nature of the good to do good.” Hence, there is no place for descent in the world He created unless it is intended to bring about an ascent that is so great that it makes the descent worthwhile. A descent for such a purpose can actually be considered a stage of the ascent that follows it.

This explains why each person is shown a vision of the third Beis HaMikdash on the Shabbos before Tisha B’Av. The vision reveals that the ultimate purpose of the destruction of the Beis HaMikdash was the beginning of a process that will lead to the building of the Messianic Beis HaMikdash.

This explanation, however, is insufficient: Descent and ascent are opposite forces. Although G-d has ingrained within the nature of the world that a descent will lead to an ascent, descent is still the opposite of ascent. Furthermore, the concept itself must be explored: Why did G-d ingrain such a nature in the world? Why is a descent necessary? In our present context: Why is it not possible to approach the heights of the Messianic Beis HaMikdash without first undergoing the descent connected with the Beis HaMikdash’s destruction?

These questions can be resolved by an analysis of the opening verse of this week’s Torah portion, Parshas Dvarim: “These are the words that Moshe spoke.” The word “these” implies an open revelation, an appreciation that the words of Torah are alive and new, as if one is hearing them today from Moshe Rabbeinu.

Each day we receive the Torah anew. Thus, the blessing that praises G-d as “the Giver of the Torah” uses the present tense. Just as each day man becomes “a new creation,” receiving his soul anew from G-d, each day the giving and the receiving of the Torah is renewed.

This provokes a question: Why did G-d create man in a manner in which he is required to sleep? Man was created to serve his Creator through the study of Torah and the fulfillment of mitzvos. Why was he created in a manner that requires him to interrupt this service and devote several hours each day to sleeping?

This question can be resolved as follows: The purpose of man’s creation is to elevate the entire creation and bring it to a higher level of completion. Although after G-d created the world, He “saw that it was good,” the creation is not self-contained. On the contrary, G-d created the world in a manner that leaves room for man to become “a partner in creation” and bring out a new dimension in existence.

This new dimension is revealed through the service of Torah and mitzvos, which elevate the nature of the world. Our Sages explain that the giving of the Torah allowed the potential for “the lower realms to ascend to the higher realms.” Although G-d created these dimensions of existence as “lower,” through our service of Torah and mitzvos they are elevated and lifted up onto the higher plane, reflecting the manner in which a miracle is uplifted above the natural order.

Similarly, within each person’s individual service, once a person has accustomed himself to a specific pattern of behavior, he should strive to reach a new and higher peak. Thus, Tanya explains our Sages’ definition of “one who serves G-d” as “one who reviews his subject matter 101 times.” In that era, it was normal for each person to review his subject matter 100 times. By studying the subject matter for the 101st time, the person went beyond his nature, thereby meriting the title “one who serves G-d.”

This new dimension of service is reflected in the fact that each day, a person becomes “a new creation” after his activity is interrupted through sleeping. Were a person to continue his study of Torah and fulfillment of mitzvos without interruption, the aspect of newness would not be revealed. Since his service would continue constantly, even when there is an increase, it would follow as a natural progression and not as a radical change.

In contrast, by creating man so that he must sleep and interrupt his service, G-d emphasizes the importance of newness and how man has the potential to introduce this element into his service of G-d. Furthermore, since this dimension of newness requires an interruption, the interruption can be seen as part of the service of G-d infused by the quality of newness.

These concepts can be applied to the concept of a descent for the sake of an ascent. Were a person to continue his service in a constant pattern of growth and ascent, the new dimension of the ascent would not be detected. In contrast, when there is an interruption in the pattern of growth, one is able to perceive the new quality in the ascent. Furthermore, the new dimension in the ascent that follows a descent allows for an ascent of a greater degree.

This process is reflected in the study of Torah, in the development of new Torah concepts. For this reason, to a great extent, the development of new Torah concepts has taken place in the time of exile. The composition of the Babylonian Talmud began a different pattern of revelation of new Torah concepts. The Mishna was written in clear, concise terminology. In contrast, the Babylonian Talmud, composed in exile, revealed a greater quantity and a new dimension of Torah ideas.

This pattern has been continued in subsequent generations. The descent into the awesome darkness of exile — in particular, in this generation, the generation directly preceding Moshiach’s coming — has granted the Jews the potential to develop a new dimension of service and to express this dimension through the development of new Torah concepts.

The core of the idea is that in a state of revelation, when one is in a process of constant growth and ascent, man’s own initiative and power to contribute is not emphasized. It is possible that the reason he is constantly advancing is because of the revelation from above. It is impossible to know whether those advances would continue were those revelations to cease. In contrast, when a person is in a state of descent — in particular, a descent to the lowest depths — and, nevertheless, he is not affected at all, but continues his service with all his strength, this reveals the power of service on one’s own initiative and reflects a constant and eternal dimension.

In this context, we can understand why each person is shown a vision of the Messianic Beis HaMikdash on Shabbos Chazon. The intent of the destruction of the Beis HaMikdash was to bring about an ascent to a higher Beis HaMikdash in the Messianic age, a Beis HaMikdash expressing the quality of newness (and is, therefore, brought into existence by a new dimension of service carried out by the Jews).

Since the revelation of the new Beis HaMikdash necessitates the destruction of the previous one, the destruction itself can be considered as the beginning of the construction of the Messianic Beis HaMikdash. Although one perceives overt destruction, the inner intent is a phase of new building. The new dimension of service of the Jewish people will produce a new and greater Beis HaMikdash.

Our Sages interpreted the verse, “The honor of this later house will exceed that of the former one,” as a reference to the second Beis HaMikdash, which exceeded the first Beis HaMikdash in size (it was 100 rather than 30 cubits high) and remained for a longer period (420 years rather than 410). In a broader sense, however, the verse can be interpreted as a reference to the third Beis HaMikdash, whose “honor” will exceed that of the previous two, for it will be “the Sanctuary of G-d, established by Your hands,” a timeless, eternal structure.

The advantage of the third Beis HaMikdash over the previous two is alluded to in the phrase, “kasis la’maor” (crushed for the light). The second Beis HaMikdash lasted “kas” (420) years, and the first Beis HaMikdash lasted “is” (410) years. Ultimately, they were both “crushed,” destroyed. Yet, this serves as a preparation for “the light,” the revelation of the third Beis HaMikdash.

The word “maor” also alludes to the unique dimension of service which will lead to the building of the third Beis HaMikdash. “Maor” refers to a source of light, whereas “or” refers to revealed light. The first and second Batei Mikdashos reflected the aspect of revealed light. Through their being “crushed,” destroyed, the world was plunged into darkness. Nevertheless, by continuing to serve G-d in the midst of this darkness, the Jewish people reveal a new dimension of Divine service, service on their own initiative. This establishes a connection to the “maor,” to the essence of G-d, which transcends revealed light and which will be revealed in the third Beis HaMikdash, “the Sanctuary of G-d, established by Your hands.”

Accordingly, in these Three Weeks of Retribution, a Jew should not despair. Despite our appreciation of the depths of the descent, we must consider it as the beginning of the construction of the Messianic Beis HaMikdash. In fact, the void created by the destruction of the Beis HaMikdash will awaken a new and deeper level of service, including the development of new concepts of Torah law. This will lead to the fulfillment of the prophecy, “A new Torah will emerge from Me.”

In this context, it is appropriate to mention the importance of making siyumim of Talmudic tractates, not only on tractates of Mishnayos, but also on tractates of Gemara; at least tractates like Tamid, which contain several chapters of Gemara.

There is another advantage to the study of Tamid. It contains the description of the service of the Beis HaMikdash. Thus, it complements the study of Midos, which describes the Beis HaMikdash’s structure. The study of these subjects is considered equivalent to the building of the Beis HaMikdash.

May the above lead to the actual construction of the Beis HaMikdash. For thousands of years the Jewish people have prayed three times a day, “May our eyes behold Your return to Zion in mercy.” Surely it is fitting that all these prayers be answered. Furthermore, in addition to our prayers, rabbis have issued halachic decisions ruling that G-d is obligated to bring the redemption. May this lead to the fulfillment of the prophecy at the conclusion of the Haftora, “Zion will be redeemed through judgment (i.e., through an increase in Torah study, in particular, Torah law) and those who return to her through tzedaka,” when G-d will lead each Jew out of exile. We will proceed, “with our youth and our elders...with our sons and our daughters,” to our holy land, to Yerushalayim, and to the Beis HaMikdash.