One of King David's greatest (albeit unfilled) dreams was to build the holy Temple, a central house of worship, in Jerusalem. It is therefore astounding to hear the Talmud's interpretation of his cryptic declaration, "For better a day in Your courtyard than a thousand." (Psalms 84:11) Better than a thousand what? "One day that you (David) sit and study Torah is better than a thousand sacrifices that your son Solomon will offer on the altar." (Shabbat 30)
If David's Torah study was so superior, so preferable to the offerings on the altar, then why did he so keenly yearn to build the Temple?
This statement contrasts two widely divergent forms of worship: David's private service of God, and Solomon's public offerings when dedicating the new Temple. These two forms differ in several ways. David's service was that of the individual, while Solomon's was that of the nation. Furthermore, David's personal service represented the culmination of a lifetime effort to better himself. Solomon's impressive dedication of the Temple, on the other hand, was the inauguration of a new stage and a new medium for the spiritual advancement of the people.
The advantage of the community (the klal) over the individual is a quantitative one. The community is made up of many individuals, so that progress on the communal level is more significant than the comparable progress of a single person. Yet, in the final analysis, the goal of the community is to benefit and advance its members. So, if we need to compare the relative value of a new beginning in communal progress, versus the pinnacle of individual achievement, we must acknowledge that the very purpose of the community lies in the success of its members.
"One day in Your courtyards...." A single day as a holy individual, whose pure soul is filled with divine prophesy and God's Torah - this is the ultimate perfection of the individual. Such a day is greater than a multitude of activities that are in essence merely preparatory acts, in order to raise up other individuals.
What is the purpose of Temple offerings? Generally speaking, sacrifices serve to impress upon us the value of God's honor (kvod shamayim). This is particularly true with regard to the mass offering of many sacrifices. In these instances, the benefit for lofty individuals is limited. Therefore, we sometimes come across verses that appear to minimize the importance of sacrifices ("I did not rebuke you for not offering sacrifices." (Psalms 50:8); "I did not speak to your fathers about burnt-offerings and sacrifices." (Jeremiah 7:22)) For the nation, the sacrificial order is a very holy service of God. Yet the exemplary individual, who recognizes the universal yearning for complete perfection, has already acquired the inner message of this form of worship.
The nation as a whole needs God's house standing in all its glory, every detail expressing His honor and reverence. Through its holy services and offerings, they come to appreciate the stirring emotions of God's glory. They acquire the foundation of a pure morality, based on the growing desire in all hearts to follow God's ways. Thus, Solomon's many offerings contributed greatly to the nation's spiritual progress.
Nonetheless, the holy individual, fully developed in his love and knowledge of Torah, totally dedicated towards all holy aspirations - he is the fruit, he is the goal of all preparatory efforts to uplift the community. "Better a day in Your courtyard than a thousand (sacrifices)."
If David's Torah study was so superior, so preferable to the offerings on the altar, then why did he so keenly yearn to build the Temple?
This statement contrasts two widely divergent forms of worship: David's private service of God, and Solomon's public offerings when dedicating the new Temple. These two forms differ in several ways. David's service was that of the individual, while Solomon's was that of the nation. Furthermore, David's personal service represented the culmination of a lifetime effort to better himself. Solomon's impressive dedication of the Temple, on the other hand, was the inauguration of a new stage and a new medium for the spiritual advancement of the people.
The advantage of the community (the klal) over the individual is a quantitative one. The community is made up of many individuals, so that progress on the communal level is more significant than the comparable progress of a single person. Yet, in the final analysis, the goal of the community is to benefit and advance its members. So, if we need to compare the relative value of a new beginning in communal progress, versus the pinnacle of individual achievement, we must acknowledge that the very purpose of the community lies in the success of its members.
"One day in Your courtyards...." A single day as a holy individual, whose pure soul is filled with divine prophesy and God's Torah - this is the ultimate perfection of the individual. Such a day is greater than a multitude of activities that are in essence merely preparatory acts, in order to raise up other individuals.
What is the purpose of Temple offerings? Generally speaking, sacrifices serve to impress upon us the value of God's honor (kvod shamayim). This is particularly true with regard to the mass offering of many sacrifices. In these instances, the benefit for lofty individuals is limited. Therefore, we sometimes come across verses that appear to minimize the importance of sacrifices ("I did not rebuke you for not offering sacrifices." (Psalms 50:8); "I did not speak to your fathers about burnt-offerings and sacrifices." (Jeremiah 7:22)) For the nation, the sacrificial order is a very holy service of God. Yet the exemplary individual, who recognizes the universal yearning for complete perfection, has already acquired the inner message of this form of worship.
The nation as a whole needs God's house standing in all its glory, every detail expressing His honor and reverence. Through its holy services and offerings, they come to appreciate the stirring emotions of God's glory. They acquire the foundation of a pure morality, based on the growing desire in all hearts to follow God's ways. Thus, Solomon's many offerings contributed greatly to the nation's spiritual progress.
Nonetheless, the holy individual, fully developed in his love and knowledge of Torah, totally dedicated towards all holy aspirations - he is the fruit, he is the goal of all preparatory efforts to uplift the community. "Better a day in Your courtyard than a thousand (sacrifices)."