Dave Hirsch, thank you for bringing up this important topic. How would you say the halachas of
the Mechaber says that one should not build himself a home like the kings (and many Achronim including the Chasam Sofer apply this in building new homes in general
and
The Mechaber says that one should leave an Amoh over an Amoh unpainted
can help us mourn the churban?
How can we not only be sad about the churban, but also connect and feel that we are waiting anxiously for the coming of Moshiach?