The land of Israel is perhaps the most controversial place in the world. And within Israel, the Temple Mount, the site of the Bait Hamikdash, the Holy Temple, represents a clash of civilizations. The holiest site in Judaism, it is perhaps the epitome of exile – off limits. (The Western Wall is the only remaining wall of the retaining walls of the mountain. None of the actual walls of the Bait Hamikdash stand today).
This tension has been felt throughout history. Those that destroyed the two holy Temples were not content on knocking it down. They insisted on burning it to the ground. The Romans made sure to plow over the land on the Har HaBayit, lest some relic remain. Other structures were prominently built on the mountaintop.
Legal and halachic issues aside, what should our approach be? Should we view the Temple Mount as a place of national mourning and destruction, the demoralizing space where our glory was – twice – reduced to shambles? Or is it the point of promise, the icon of our defiance and destiny, as we yearn for the rebuilding of our Holy Temple?
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In this week’s parsha, Terumah, Hashem instructs the Jewish people to build the Mishkan, the traveling Sanctuary. This precursor to the Bait Hamikdash housed the Menorah, Altars, and Table amongst other holy vessels. Most important amongst them was the Aron, the Holy Ark. The Aron was housed in the Holy of Holies, a chamber within a chamber. In Jerusalem as well, the Aron rested in the Holy of Holies, a special chamber that was off limits, except by the High Priest on Yom Kippur. This chamber was considered the most holy place on earth. Inside the Aron were the Tablets that G-d gave Moshe, as well as a jar of manna, anointing oil and the staff of Aaron.
To this day, Jewish tradition considers the Temple Mount the holiest location on earth. And, the spot of the Holy of Holies is the most hallowed of that sacred area.
If the Temple stands no longer and Jewish tradition isn’t practiced there, why is it still sacred? How can we treat it as a beacon of light when incitement against the Jewish people emanates from above the ground?
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Have you ever applied for a permit to build a home? The requirements and red tape are quite cumbersome. That’s why many people prefer to renovate rather than demolish and start over from scratch. So long as one original wall remains standing, it can technically be deemed a remodeling job and there are less hurdles to overcome.
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When he constructed the Bait Hamikdash, King Shlomo (Solomon) built an intricate tunnel system under the Temple Mount, including a specific place to store the Aron. According to Maimonides, the Jewish king Yoshiyahu (Josiah) ordered that the Aron be buried there many generations later. It has never been seen since, and the Second Temple did not feature the original Holy Ark.
Why did Josiah order the Aron to be entombed? His rule was one of great success and peace. Josiah instituted many positive spiritual reforms, ridding Israel almost entirely of idolatry. The Holy Temple was destroyed many years later. So, why did he hide the Holy Ark?
One interpretation is that Josiah recognized (through the warnings of Jeremiah) that the Temple would eventually be destroyed. He also knew about the special subterraneous location destined for the Holy Ark.
Josiah’s placement of the Aron beneath the surface, directly below the Holy of Holies, was not an act of desperation. The Temple was not in flames. Jews were not persecuted. Rather, it was a calculated act to place it in an alternate and appropriate spot.
In other words, when King Solomon built the Temple there were two acceptable locations for the Aron – one above ground and one below ground. Josiah, preempting a time of destruction, opted for renovation versus demolition.
By placing the Holy Ark in an acceptable, alternate location he ensured that the Aron would never disappear from its proper place. He ensured that this place would remain holy forever.
And, that there would come a time when, with Moshiach’s arrival, the Bait Hamikdash would be rebuilt from the very foundation that never ceased to exist.
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In our lives, too, we may sense moments of destruction. We might be discouraged by setbacks in our relationships with G-d and with his creations.
The lesson from the hidden Holy Ark is clear. We always possess a solid foundation, our own Aron. The soul itself might be buried, but it’s never truly gone.
Some spiritual renovations might be in order, but we don’t need to start from scratch!