Why was the Beit HaMikdash (Temple) destroyed? That is the question we should all be asking ourselves as we observe Tisha B'Av - the "Black Fast" - this Wednesday night-Thursday.
Two primary Talmudic sources deal with the destruction of the Temple. The most famous is from Yuma: "The First Temple was destroyed because of idolatry, bloodshed and immorality; the Second was destroyed because of sinat chinam."
Another Gemara, in Shabbat, lists several reasons for the tragedy: we neglected the education of our children; we did not scrupulously observe Shabbat or the saying of the Sh'ma; we did not afford sufficient honor to scholars, etc.
Along comes a third Gemara, in Bava Metzia, with a most unusual thesis: the Beit HaMikdash was destroyed because we did not go "lifnim mishurat hadeen," beyond the letter of the law. That is, we were strict and inflexible in our application of the law, and we did not take a lenient, forgiving approach when we judged others.
A nice idea. But how do we reconcile this last Gemara with all the factors enumerated by the other sources?
I suggest that this is the operative p'shat: all the reasons given in Yuma and Shabbat are completely valid. We were indeed punished because of the severe laxity in both our ritual observance, as well in as our moral behavior. However, had we been the kind of people who went beyond the strict letter of the law in the way we dealt with our fellow human beings, had we given others some "slack" when they were late with a payment, or accidentally damaged our property or pride, then HaShem would have dealt with us in the same fashion. He, too, would have gone lifnim mishurat hadeen when we sinned, and would have been lenient in His treatment of our many transgressions.
But since we were rigid and uncompromising, that is exactly how G-d reacted to us and how He judged us. The result was our Exile and the loss of our precious Beit HaMikdash.
How we judge others is how we shall be judged.
So, maybe during these tough days - so severe for Medinat Yisrael - we can exercise a little "lifnim mishurat hadeen." Smile more, honk less. Take extra time in prayer, and give more benefit of the doubt. Say "hi" to someone you barely know, extend a helping hand to a complete stranger.
Who knows? Perhaps, if we do a little bit extra, then HaShem will do the same for us and turn our tears into triumph.
Two primary Talmudic sources deal with the destruction of the Temple. The most famous is from Yuma: "The First Temple was destroyed because of idolatry, bloodshed and immorality; the Second was destroyed because of sinat chinam."
Another Gemara, in Shabbat, lists several reasons for the tragedy: we neglected the education of our children; we did not scrupulously observe Shabbat or the saying of the Sh'ma; we did not afford sufficient honor to scholars, etc.
Along comes a third Gemara, in Bava Metzia, with a most unusual thesis: the Beit HaMikdash was destroyed because we did not go "lifnim mishurat hadeen," beyond the letter of the law. That is, we were strict and inflexible in our application of the law, and we did not take a lenient, forgiving approach when we judged others.
A nice idea. But how do we reconcile this last Gemara with all the factors enumerated by the other sources?
I suggest that this is the operative p'shat: all the reasons given in Yuma and Shabbat are completely valid. We were indeed punished because of the severe laxity in both our ritual observance, as well in as our moral behavior. However, had we been the kind of people who went beyond the strict letter of the law in the way we dealt with our fellow human beings, had we given others some "slack" when they were late with a payment, or accidentally damaged our property or pride, then HaShem would have dealt with us in the same fashion. He, too, would have gone lifnim mishurat hadeen when we sinned, and would have been lenient in His treatment of our many transgressions.
But since we were rigid and uncompromising, that is exactly how G-d reacted to us and how He judged us. The result was our Exile and the loss of our precious Beit HaMikdash.
How we judge others is how we shall be judged.
So, maybe during these tough days - so severe for Medinat Yisrael - we can exercise a little "lifnim mishurat hadeen." Smile more, honk less. Take extra time in prayer, and give more benefit of the doubt. Say "hi" to someone you barely know, extend a helping hand to a complete stranger.
Who knows? Perhaps, if we do a little bit extra, then HaShem will do the same for us and turn our tears into triumph.