By Rabbi Dovid Sapirman, Dean, Ani Maamin Foundation
In a commentary on the siddur, Iyun Tefila offers an enlightening reason that the Anshei Knesses Hagedolah authored the Siddur at that particular time. Although the Second Beis Hamikdash had recently been rebuilt, it was not at all equal to the first. The Jewish nation no longer dwelt exclusively in the land of Israel as they had before. Previously, most of the nation would gather in the Beis Hamikdash three times a year, creating a deep sense of unity and closeness. Since the Churban, they had been exiled across 127 provinces of the Persian empire, with most living too far away to ever visit. There was a growing concern that these scattered communities would slowly drift apart. But with the advent of a standardized siddur, with everyone reciting the same tefillos every day, three times a day, a Jew in Bavel or Persia would feel bound to his brother in Yerushalayim or anywhere in the world.
How else was the second Beis Hamikdash inferior to the first? It was missing five vital things. The Shechinah was not present, since this Beis Hamikdash was built under the authority of Persia, and the Shechinah dwells only in the tents of Shem. In the first Beis Hamikdash, flames descended from Heaven to consume the sacrifices, but now they did not. The aron and kappores were missing, having been hidden before the Churban. There was no kohen gadol with ruach hakodesh, and no urim v’tumim to convey messages from Heaven. With a lower degree of kedushah in this Beis Hamikdash, less inspiration was gained by entering it.
Another difference between the first and the second Batei Mikdash was the expectation of permanence. Shlomo Hamelech built the first Beis Hamikdash with the hope that it would be eternal, a beis olamim. The chachamim knew that the second Beis Hamikdash would not be eternal from the start. They knew it would someday be destroyed. But we still have the Siddur, and it has remained with us for almost 2,000 years since that destruction.
The Anshei Knesses Hagedolah wove into the tefillos all the basics of the Jewish faith: the Oneness of Hashem, His infinite wisdom and power, hashgachah and mercy. In our davening, we describe the glory of Hashem’s miracles in the past, His signs and wonders, and the future that awaits us with the coming of Mashiach. Our Siddur is a portable Beis Hamikdash for those who use it wisely.
To be continued.
