by Rabbi Shraga Simmons

Because the Temple was a great privilege for the Jewish People, it came along with great responsibilities as well. (Such is the nature of privileges.) These responsibilities meant that the Jews were to serve G-d with more devotion than ever before and to be a guiding light for all of the nations of the world. When, unfortunately, the Jewish People did not live up to these responsibilities, as a consequence they lost the Temple. (see Jewish Unity & the Key to Redemption)

Today, Jews do not go onto the Temple Mount, because it is forbidden to go into certain spots which are reserved for the Kohanim (priests).

The re-building will begin when the Messiah comes. This Third Temple will be on the Temple Mount, exactly where it previously stood. In fact, Maimonides writes that one sign that the Messiah is the real Messiah (and not an imposter) will be when he re-builds the Temple on the Temple Mount.

Today, the Jewish People are striving to return to a level whereby they will merit once again to have the Temple. It can be rebuilt at any moment. The Midrash says that the Third Temple has already been constructed in heaven, and merely awaits our preparations here on earth. Furthermore, in every generation an individual exists with the capacity to step into the role of the Messiah.

We must feel the pain of exile if we have any hope of reversing it. Like orphans who never knew their parents, we risk going about our daily lives insensitive to the lack of a healthy spiritual world. If we hope to have the Temple rebuilt, we must strive to understand what the loss of the Temple means - and how we can connect with our destiny, our struggle, our mission and our identity as a people.

The story is told of Napoleon walking through the streets of Paris. As he passes by a synagogue, he hears the sounds of people weeping inside. So he turns to his assistant and asks, "What's going on with the Jews?" "Today is Tisha B'Av," came the reply, "and the Jews are mourning the loss of their Temple." Napoleon looked toward the synagogue and said, "If the Jews are still crying after 1800 years, then I am certain the Temple will one day be rebuilt!" The tears we shed for the destruction, are precisely those tears which bring about redemption.

The Jewish People are clearly heading toward redemption. One apparent sign is that the Jewish People have returned to the Land of Israel and made it bloom once again. A major movement is afoot of young Jews returning to Torah tradition.

G-d is ready when we are. For as King David writes in Psalms 95:7: "(Redemption will come) today - if you hearken to His voice."

Written by Rabbi Shraga Simmons, with thanks to Rabbi Aryeh Leib Nivin. 

Published: Sunday, June 23, 2002

#3 of 45 in the Aish.com Tisha B'Av and the Three Weeks Series << Previous How We Mourn The Loss of the Temple Today Next >> The Messiah in Judaism

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Why Hasn't The Temple Been Rebuilt?

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Rabbi Shraga Simmons

Rabbi Shraga Simmons spent his childhood trekking through snow in Buffalo, New York. He has worked in the fields of journalism and public relations, and is now the Co-editor of Aish.com in Jerusalem.

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