At a wedding in Israel this week, I watched with curiosity as the Chupah concluded with the breaking of the glass. The reason we break the glass at the end of the marital ceremony is to recall that our joy is incomplete when our Holy Temple still lies in ruins.
The verse in Tehillim (Psalms 137) talks about the Jewish people wailing on the Rivers of Babylon: “If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its skill. May my tongue cling to my palate, if I do not remember you, if I do not bring up Jerusalem at the beginning of my joy.”
Yet, here we were in the Holy Land itself, observing the very same custom. Should we still mourn when Israel now boasts more Jews than any other country in the world? Should we be full of grief when the city of Jerusalem has more buildings than at any time in its history, with construction booming on every corner?
*
In this week’s parsha Beshalach, the Jewish people are free at last. After departing Egypt and the miracles at the sea, they sing a song of praise to Almighty G-d. One of the final verses reads, “You will bring them and plant them around the mountain of Your inheritance, the place that You, G-d, have prepared for Your abode. May Your hands, G-d, establish this Sanctuary. G-d will reign forever and ever.”
As the Jews celebrated their newfound freedom, they also recognized that their redemption was still incomplete.
When would it be complete?
When the Holy Temple (Sanctuary) of G-d would be built in Jerusalem.
Despite the fact that the Holy Temple was built and rebuilt in Jerusalem, this verse has yet to be fulfilled. It speaks specifically of a Sanctuary that is built by G-d, not mere humans. And, it speaks of a Temple that will last forever.
The first two Holy Temples were built by humans. The third – and final – Temple will be a gift from G-d. G-d’s gift, however, requires our participation. The mitzvah to build a home for G-d will not be neglected when Moshiach comes. Rather, each and every mitzvah that we have performed throughout the long exile of our people, contributes to the everlasting edifice that G-d will unveil. It will be a true partnership – human effort crowned by Divine blessing.
On Monday, we will conclude the annual cycle of Rambam’s (Maimonides) Mishneh Torah. He concludes his code of law with the laws of the future Redemption, declaring that Moshiach will build the Third Temple. This demonstrates the synthesis of man’s accomplishment and G-d’s miracles. It will only be through the revelation of G-dliness that this world will be transformed into a place of holiness and goodness. So long as that has not occurred, we are all in a state of exile – even in the Holy Land of Israel.
As much as we are encouraged by the Divine protection and miracles that grace our Promised Land, we still lament a world in which our soul and Holy Temple are not rebuilt.
And, we celebrate, knowing that we are the ones who will ultimately complete the mission of the Jews who left Egypt – to create a world of holiness and goodness for all.
May G-d crown our efforts with the rebuilding of Jerusalem – in body and soul – immediately.