If We Would Comprehend the Loss of the Churban, We Would Die From the Pain:
Sefer M’Zekeinim Esbonen (page 124) relates the following story in the name of Rav Mordechai Chaim of Slonim zy”a:
When Crown Prince Franz Joseph ruled over the Austro-Hungarian Empire, he once visited Jerusalem. When he arrived, all the distinguished leaders of the community came out to greet him with much pomp and honor. Franz Joseph told them that he wanted to visit the Temple Mount, the site where the Bais Hamikdosh once stood, and the entourage of dignitaries escorted him there. When they reached the site, they told him that they could go no further, as it is forbidden for Jews to set foot on the mountain. They said that he could go up on his own and they would wait for him.
When he returned, Franz Joseph said that he wanted to tell them something. He leaned on his cane for a few minutes before saying, “Jews. I don’t know what to say about you. But I can definitely say one thing, if you knew what you used to have here that you no longer have, you wouldn’t be able to stand the pain. You would die from the pain!”
