The Torah relates that when Bnei Yisrael made the golden calf, Aharon observed the proceedings and built an altar in front of the deity. How can we understand Aharon's seemingly iniquitous behavior? The Gemara (Sanhedrin 7a) explains the rationale behind his actions. Aharon witnessed that Bnei Yisrael murdered Chur when he disapproved of their plan, and he was afraid that should he show opposition Bnei Yisrael might kill him as well.
Chazal tell us that he was not afraid of his own death; he was afraid of what would happen to Bnei Yisrael as a result. If they would worship the golden calf, they would still have the ability to do teshuva. However, if they would "kill a Kohein and prophet in the house of Hashem" (Eicha 2:20) they would be left without the possibility to repent their ways. Rashi explains by pointing out that when the first Bais Hamikdosh stood, Bnei Yisrael killed Zecharya, who was a Kohein and Navi, in the house of Hashem, and it was this sin which precipitated the destruction of the Bais Hamikdosh.
Why is murdering a Kohein and Navi more catastrophic than idol worship - to the point that committing such a sin leaves one without an option for teshuva? The Maharsha (ibid.) explains that the Torah was given to Bnei Yisrael with the explicit intention that they listen to the Kohanim (i.e. Torah scholars) and prophets. The Torah even gives the death penalty to one who rules against the opinion of the generation's greatest Torah scholars (zakan mamrei) or disregards the words of a prophet. When the foundation of the entire Torah is undermined there is no possibility for teshuva.
Rav Wolbe elaborates on the above idea. The essence of Klal Yisrael is their willingness to listen to their leaders. The scholars and prophets explain Hashem's word and rebuke Bnei Yisrael when they fail to fulfill their obligations. If Klal Yisrael kills their mentor, they have, to a certain extent, renounced their status as "Klal Yisrael." Accordingly, there is no possibility for them to do teshuva, because teshuva was not given as a means of allowing "another" nation to attain the status of Klal Yisrael.
While disregarding the words of our leaders cannot be compared to actually killing a Torah scholar which caused the destruction of the Bais Hamikdosh, there is still a common denominator between them. They undermine the Torah's foundation. Thus, the mourning on Tisha B'Av should also include a reckoning of how we relate to the words of our Torah scholars. If extreme disregard for Torah scholars caused the destruction of the Bais Hamikdosh, it follows that rectifying this wrongdoing will be the impetus for its rebuilding.
May we be zoche to greet Moshiach Tzidkeinu and see the rebuilding of the Bais Hamikdosh speedily in our days!
This Dvar Torah is dedicated as azechusfor thehatzlachaof Avraham Moshe ben Baila in hisavodas hakodesh!
Important Numbers
