.....The secular newspaper Yediot Achranot published a fascinating survey on this Tisha B'av , the day that commemorates the destruction of both the first and second temples.The survey was held by the Panels Institute among 516 respondents that are a representative sample of the adult Jewish population. The margin of error was 4.3%.

The question was asked regarding " the desire to see the Temple rebuilt"

. Sixty-four percent responded favorably, while 36% said no.

An analysis of the answers showed that not only the ultra-Orthodox and the religious look forward to the rebuilding of the Temple (100% and 97% respectively), but also the traditional public (91%) and many seculars – 47%.

To the question whether it was at all justified to mark something that had happened 2,000 years ago:

80% said yes, while 13% said only events related to the State of Israel should be commemorated.

Gesher Director General Rabbi Danny Tropper told Ynet in response to the survey results: "We are a nation with a remarkable historic affinity. The Temple was destroyed 1,942 years ago, and almost two thirds of the population want to see it rebuilt, including 47% of seculars.

CONCLUSION ON THIS DAY OF TISHA B'AV

Yearning is the greatest spiritual tool in the Universe. While it may be true that amongst those dispersed in the exile and amongst the many dispersed in this land are the cynics and the lost ones that may have forgotten how to yearn. Yet the process continues despite them.Yearning is the power of redemption. The World and world history was fashioned to enable, instigate and empwer yearning. This seemingly out of the way poll highlights a powerful teaching of Rav Kook ( in Ein Ayha -Shabbat) ' He explains that within the sadness of Tisha B'av lies a hidden joy'

 

The greater the sadness and the yearning the greater the power of redemption.