Reply To: YWN Coffee Room Nightly D’Var Torah

Home › Forums › Bais Medrash › YWN Coffee Room Nightly D’Var Torah › Reply To: YWN Coffee Room Nightly D’Var Torah

July 28, 2009 12:59 pm at 12:59 pm #1124623
YW Moderator-72
Participant

received via email

*******************Jax’s Tuesday D’Var Torah – Tisha B’Av***************

In the 1800’s, the Napolean passed by a Shul in the Jewish Quarter in France. The day happened to be Tisha B’Av. He heard the sounds of weeping and wailing coming from within. He summoned over one of the Jews and asked, “What is everyone crying about?” “We are morning the destruction of our Holy Temple/Bais Hamikdash in Yerusalayim.” “When did this happen,” asked Napolean, aghast, “I didn’t hear anything of this and my ministers report to me twice daily of all the current news and events around the world.” “Sire, our Temple was destroyed in 70 C.E. by the Romans” Said Napolean, “A people – that passionately mourns a national tragedy that took place over 17 centuries ago – is ETERNAL.”

In 1967, Jews from all over the world flocked to Israel to see the Kotel, which had been off limits to Jews for many years. The Israeli army set up guards near the wall. During one particular shift there were two soldiers standing guard, watching the steady stream of people of all Jewish backgrounds pouring their hearts out at the Kotel. One of the soldiers started crying. The other soldier asked, “Lamah atah bocheh?” “Why are you crying?” “I can understand all of these people being emotional over the Kotel for they are religious Jews; but, you and I were brought up on a nonreligious kibbutz. Religion has no meaning or significance to us. So why are you crying” The first soldier answered, “Ani bocheh al mah she’ani lo bocheh.” “I am crying over the fact that I am not crying.” “As I see these people, I realize that there must be something very special – something very deep and profound – about the Kotel and about the whole religion. I know that there is something very beautiful that I am missing. It is for this that I cry.”

This Tisha B’Av, may we recapture an appreciation of the spirit and significance of the Bais HaMikdash. May we recover that missing something. May we be zoche to see the Geulah shilaymah very soon! a gitten!