Building Through Study
The Rambam introduces every one of the fourteen books
of the Mishneh Torah with a verse from the Prophets or the Sacred
Writings. For Sefer Avodah, “the Book of Divine Service,” which contains
a description of the Beis HaMikdash and the sacrifices offered there, he
employs the verse:1 “Seek
out the welfare of Jerusalem, those who love you shall prosper.”
Most of the other verses the Rambam chooses merely
indicate a point of connection to the subject under discussion. The selection
of this verse, by contrast, is intrinsically related to the purpose of studying
the laws that follow. For it implies that there is an obligation to “Seek out
the welfare of Jerusalem,” to concern oneself with the structure and functions
of the Beis HaMikdash although we are, at present, incapable of actually
building it.2
To explain: One of the 613 mitzvos of the Torah is the
commandment to build a Sanctuary,3 and
the fulfillment of this commandment is incumbent upon every Jewish man and
woman.4 The desired manner of fulfilling this commandment is to
participate in the actual construction of the Beis HaMikdash.
Nevertheless, in an era when this is not possible, G‑d has offered us an
alternative.
To cite an example from history: G‑d revealed the details of the structure of
the Beis HaMikdash of the Era of the Redemption to the
prophet Yechezkel, and told him:5
“Tell the people of Israel of the House... and measure the design.”
Our Sages relate:6
Yechezkel replied to Him: “Master of the Earth, why are You
telling me to go and tell Israel the form of the House... They are now in exile
in the land of our enemies. Is there anything they can do [about it]? Let them
be until they return from the exile. Then, I will go and inform them.”
G‑d answered: “Should the construction of My House be ignored because My
children are in exile?”
G‑d declared: “The study of the Torah’s [design of the
Beis HaMikdash] can be equated to its [actual] construction. Go, tell them
to study the form of the Beis HaMikdash. As a reward for their study and
their occupation with it, I will consider it as if they actually built the
Beis HaMikdash.”
Implicit in the wording used in this passage is that the
study of the laws of the Beis HaMikdash, has ramifications that extend
far beyond the ordinary sphere of intellectual activity. From the description of
this study as “the building of My House,” we can infer that through such study,
a person fulfills his obligation to build the Beis HaMikdash.
Fulfilling Mitzvos
on Two Planes
The concept that there are two levels at which the mitzvah
of building the Beis HaMikdash can be observed is reflected in other
halachic contexts. For example, atonement for a sin performed dduac (without a
conscious intent to transgress) is achieved through three different activities:
a) teshuvah, one’s inner feelings of remorse and regret, b) vidui,
confession, and c) korban, offering a sacrifice.7 At present, however, when we are
unable to offer sacrifices, a complete measure of atonement is achieved through
teshuvah and vidui alone. There is no further obligation
whatsoever.8
A similar concept applies in regard to conversion: For a
convert to be accepted within the Jewish faith, he must accept the observance of
the mitzvos, become circumcised, and immerse himself in a
mikveh.9 After the Beis HaMikdash is rebuilt, converts —
even those who have converted in the present era — will also be required to
bring a sacrifice.10
Nevertheless, the fact that a convert is unable to bring this sacrifice at
present does not detract at all from his status as a member of the Jewish
people.11
Why Study About
Past History?
Additional light can be shed on the above concepts through
the explanation of an apparent paradox in the Rambam’s teachings. In his
Commentary on the Mishnah,12 the Rambam explains the advantage of
studying the description of the Second Beis HaMikdash:
When, speedily in our days, [the Beis HaMikdash] is
rebuilt, it will be necessary to preserve and emulate that structure... for it
originates in the spirit of prophecy, as it is written,13 “All of this is put in writing inspired
by the hand of G‑d who instructed me.”
This statement raises a problem when compared to a related
passage in his Mishneh Torah, where the Rambam
writes:14
The structure which Shlomo built is already described in [the
Book of] Melachim. Similarly the structure which will be constructed in
the future era [is described in the Book of] Yechezkel. Nevertheless, the
description there is not explained or elucidated.
[Therefore,] the people who constructed the Second [Beis
HaMikdash] in the time of Ezra, built it according to the [basic] design
[employed by] Shlomo, incorporating the elements which were explicitly detailed
by Yechezkel.
Thus from the passage in his Commentary on the Mishnah,
it would appear that the construction of the Beis HaMikdash in the Era of
the Redemption will follow the fundamental pattern of the First and Second
Batei HaMikdash, for the plan for their structure was “inspired by the hand
of G‑d who instructed me.” Therefore, studying the design of these previous
structures will enable us to prepare for the construction of the Beis
HaMikdash in that future era.
From the Mishneh Torah, by contrast, it is clear that
the structure of the Third Beis HaMikdash has its source in the
prophecies of Yechezkel and differs radically from that of the First and Second
Batei HaMikdash. Indeed, the people building the Second Beis HaMikdash
understood that they were departing from Yechezkel’s vision. They, however, had
no alternative, for they could not comprehend the meaning of his prophecies.
According to this explanation, one might well wonder about the value of
studying the design of the First and Second Basei HaMikdash in the
present age. Surely, this study is not intended as merely an excursion into past
history.
The Tosafos Yom Tov15 attempts to resolve this difficulty,
explaining that even in the Era of the Redemption when G‑d reveals the meaning
of the passages in Yechezkel that could not be comprehended, the
fundamental elements of the structure of the Beis HaMikdash will follow
David’s vision which served as the basis for the First and Second Batei
HaMikdash.
This explanation is, however, somewhat difficult. For since
the structure of the Third Beis HaMikdash will be so radically different
from the previous structures that it will require G‑d to explain its design, the
contribution to the comprehension of its design made by the study of the
structure of the previous Batei HaMikdash appears questionable.
Based on the concept that the study of the structure of the
Beis HaMikdash is equivalent to its actual construction, we can, however,
comprehend the value of the study of the design of the previous Batei
HaMikdash in the present age. Independent of the details which will be
revealed when the Beis HaMikdash is actually constructed in the Era of
the Redemption, our study of the laws is significant, for it fulfills the
mitzvah of building the Beis HaMikdash in the only way possible in
the present age.
Adapted from Likkutei Sichos, Vol. XVIII, Bein
HaMetzarim
How the Third Beis HaMikdashWill Be Built
There is another context in which the above concepts are
relevant: there are two conceptions of how the Third Beis HaMikdash will
be constructed.16 The Rambam states17 that the Beis HaMikdash will
be built by man and that its construction will be one of the signs of
Mashiach’s advent. Another view18 explains that this will be “the Sanctuary of G‑d,
established by Your hands,”19
i.e., that the Beis HaMikdash has already been constructed by G‑d and
exists in the heavenly realms, waiting for the time when it will be able to
descend to the earth.
It can be explained that there is no contradiction between
these two views: Mashiach will lead the people in the construction of
those dimensions of the Beis HaMikdash which can be grasped by human
intellect at present. Afterwards, the dimensions which we cannot comprehend at
present will be revealed from heaven by G‑d.20
A Matter of
Present Concern
Although the above concepts were applicable in the previous
generations as well, they are of much greater relevance at present. For there
is a difference between the manner a person studies the laws pertaining to a
mitzvah that he is about to perform, and the manner in which he studies
subjects which are merely abstract or theoretical. Similarly, in regard to the
matter at hand, our study of the laws of the Beis HaMikdash has to be
permeated by the awareness that in the very near future, we will actually
participate in building the structure about which we are studying.
Moreover, not only is our study of the Beis HaMikdash
equivalent to its construction, it serves as a catalyst, hastening the coming of
the time when we will fulfill this mitzvah in an actual material way. And
then we will merit fulfillment of the prayer,21
“Rebuild Your House as in former times and establish Your Sanctuary on its site.
Let us behold its building, and make us rejoice in its completion.” May this
take place in the immediate future.
