Bais Hametzarim
Sefer Siach Sarfei Kodesh relates that Rav Henoch of Alexander zy”a once made a Siyum Masechta during the “Nine Days” (between Rosh Chodesh Av and Tisha B’Av). During the seudah, he said, “In the old days, during this time of year, the balhabatim would be depressed and anguished over the fact that our Bais Hamikdosh was destroyed and we can no longer go there to offer korbanos. Today, however, the chasidim enjoy festive meals because of their strong emunah that the redemption is near. They believe that just like there once was a Bais Hamikdosh, there soon will be a Bais Hamikdosh.”
He added, “After Ashmedai (the king of the demons) threw Shlomo Hamelech out of his palace (see Gittin 68B), Shlomo came to a village and told the people there who he was. When the residents heard who was there, they all surrounded him and they slaughtered an ox and brought all kinds of delicacies in his honor. After the ate, the village leader told his family that Shlomo Hamelech was in town and how he had been banished from his throne. He told them, ‘Look at how the tides can turn. Look how much this man is suffering.’
“When Shlomo heard what he said, he recalled how much honor and glory he used to have, and he was full of anguish. He was so upset that he couldn’t eat any of the delicacies the villagers continued to bring to him. Shlomo then continued on his wanderings and came to another city, where he met a pious, poor man. When the man heard that this was Shlomo Hamelech, he was very happy to see him. He comforted him by saying, ‘You once were Shlomo the King and you will again be Shlomo the King. You may have temporarily lost your power but you will get it back one day.’
“These words made Shlomo very happy. The poor man invited him to a small repast in his home, and they ate together. This upright man revived Shlomo’s spirit with a few words more than the wealthy residents of the other village did with all their fine food. Regarding this Shlomo said (Mishlei 17:1): ‘Coarse bread with pleasantness is good.’”
The Rebbe concluded, “That is how we should think during the Bain Hametzarim. We should console ourselves by remembering that just like there once was a Bais Hamikdosh, there will again be one.”
