Chazal (Taanis 29A) teach that on the Seventh Day of Av the enemy entered the Heichal, the Holy, and mocked and defiled Hashem and the Jews for three days, until they set fire to the Bais HaMikdosh.
The Nefesh HaChaim (1:4) comments on this as follows: “...No Jewish person should, Chas V’Shalom, think--who am I and what can I accomplish with my lowly deeds? Rather, he should know and understand that his specific deeds, words, and thoughts, at every hour and minute of the day are never lost. In fact, how great, how very great and lofty are his deeds, as each one rises to the “Govhei Meromim”--to the highest of heights in the heavens above.”
He continues: “And in truth, one who understands this fundamental principle well will recognize how impactful a sin really is, for the destruction it wrecks in the higher worlds is far greater than the destruction brought about by Nevuchadnezar and Titus. You see, Nevuchadnezar and Titus did not with their deeds ruin or even blemish anything in the above, for they are incapable of doing so....”
Thus, whatever blasphemous and immoral acts were committed by the likes of Titus in the holiest of places is trifle and insignificant compared to an inappropriate thought, or perhaps some misplaced jealousy, anger, or Lashon Hora on the part of a Jew, which can stir the Heavens above. In truth, we already all know that it was truly our sins, and not the actions of Titus, that destroyed the Bais HaMikdosh. Perhaps we did not previously appreciate the degree of the insignificance of his actions. But, then, isn’t our responsibility too great? Isn’t it too much for us to know that our thoughts, let alone our actions, so severely impact upon the Heavens above?
Actually, it is really only a matter of avoiding getting lost in the forest among the trees. We must take every action--or even thought--on its own value. We should try to strengthen, encourage and develop each and every positive thought that we may have, and as quickly as possible banish the negative and unproductive ones. Chazal teach (Succah 52A) that in the End of Days the Yetzer Hora will appear to the Tzaddik as a mountain. The Tzaddik will exclaim “How was I able to overcome this great obstacle?” The answer will be--because you treated each confrontation (each nisayon)--each thought and action not as a mountain too hard to climb, but as a mere strand of hair to be readily overcome.
The mightiest leaders in world history and their accomplishments pale in their utter insignificance to those strands of hair we overcome daily. Tisha B’Av and the days that immediately precede it are not only days of mourning, but days of Teshuva. We should take the time over the next few days to appreciate, and to place a greater value upon, the sheer importance of our individual, stand-alone, thoughts and actions.
Just one more proper thought or deed could very truly rebuild--in a much more beautiful and permanent way--that which Nevuchadnezar and Titus think they destroyed.
Special Note Five: The Gemara (Megilla 21A) teaches that Moshe Rabbeinu would learn the more difficult laws and concepts of the Torah sitting down.
If we have to sit down this Tisha B’Av, we should take the time out to go over in our mind some of the difficult concepts that we tend to ignore, or at least avoid, during the rest of the year—the chorbons and tzaros that have accompanied us through the ages and into our day.
Can we not shed a tear over: • The pain of the Shechina over the chillul Hashem of the Galus (the Father’s pain is greater than the child’s) • The void left by the Beis Hamikdosh that is not with us and the concomitant void of sanctity within us (we could be closer to angels, and not closer to animals) • The honor of Klal Yisroel that has been cast to the ground and trampled upon • The hundreds of thousands of Russian Jews who have been numbed by Communism even after its downfall • The sorry hatred of secular Jews to Torah Judaism • The Merkaz HaRav Massacre • The Tractor Terror • Gush Katif and Sderot • The bombing of Bus Number 2 • The Crusades • The Pogroms • The 1648-1649 Massacres • The Holocaust • All of the unnecessary sickness and suffering for 2000 years (multiplied by each second of pain) • The desolation and ruination of the Har Habayis, Har Hazeisim, Chevron, Tevria… • Sinas Chinam--which includes smiling at the mishap of another, failing to properly rejoice at another’s simcha, and finding it hard to accept another’s honor and success • The fact that we are so numbed to holiness and sanctity • The Jews who do not even know that Tisha B’Av exists • The Jews who know that Tisha B’Av exists and do not grow in their resolve to do something to end this Chorban as soon as possible
May our prayers for consolation be accepted by Hakodesh Boruch Hu speedily and in our days--today!
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Important Numbers
