I once came across the following Good Housekeeping advice: "Always keep several get well cards on the mantel. That way if unexpected guests arrive, they'll think you've been sick and unable to clean."
Seriously, imagine you suddenly got word that someone important was about to show up at your home. Would you relax with a book, confident that your home is perfectly ready? Or would you spring into action, cleaning, dusting and organizing?
***
In the aftermath of the dramatic death of Nadav and Avihu in this week’s parsha Shemini, G-d commands the kohanim (priests) to, “Not drink wine that will lead to intoxication, neither you nor your sons with you, when you go into the Tent of Meeting.”
This resulted in a ban on drinking wine during a kohen’s shift. (The kohanim rotated in groups that served in the Bait Hamikdash for one week at a time).
It’s been almost two thousand years since kohanim have served in the Temple. Yet Rambam (Maimonides) codifies this law and states that it applies nowadays as well. In other words, were a Kohen to know his shift (unlikely nowadays), he would be prohibited from intoxication during that time.
*
According to Jewish law, if one has consumed wine, one is not permitted to officiate in the Bait Hamikdash until he has ‘sobered up.’ Twenty four minutes is sufficient for someone who drank wine, but is not inebriated.
So why should Rambam rule that a Kohen – during his shift – is forbidden from sipping wine nowadays when there is no Bait Hamikdash? Even if Moshiach shows up today he can quickly sober up and serve in the Holy Temple in 24 minutes!
***
Jewish tradition offers many options as to how Moshiach will arrive. He may arrive as a pauper on a donkey. Or we may be whisked to Israel on clouds. In short, the method of his arrival is uncertain.
What is certain, however, is that his arrival can happen at any minute. Not only do we believe that this new era of world peace can arrive on any given day; it can happen at any given moment, including right now!
We are also uncertain as to how the third Temple will be built. It may take a construction crew laboring for a year. Or it may drop down miraculously from heaven. Jewish tradition emphasizes not how it will happen but that it will happen. Bottom line: It’s entirely possible that within less than 24 minutes the Third Bait Hamikdash is up and running.
***
I’m not a Kohen, so no need to worry about that. But I am a Jew. And I do hope this lesson inspires me to always be prepared for the ‘expected’ guest who may show up at any minute. I’d better go get my spiritual house in shape…