A Yid was once traveling from Eretz Yisroel to the USA. Before departing he went to the Beis Yisroel - Gerer Rebbe ZY”A for a Brochoh, who told him, “Bleib ah Yid - Stay a Jew.” This is an important instruction for us all that the summer days may be a time of rest and rejuvenation, but in no way should a person let down his obligations and standards in Shmiras HaMitzvos.
Upon departing to Paris a Yid went to the Beis Yisroel ZY”A for a Brochoh. The Rebbe wished him well and requested him the following favor. “When you arrive at your destination, please hasten and purchase for me a tape recorder (contemporary equivalent to an IC recorder or .mp3 player) with numerous specs.” The fellow agreed and departed. Upon arriving at his destination, he quickly went to accomplish his promise. This occupied him for the length of his trip as this specific model was rare. Upon his return he went to the Rebbe and presented the tape recorder to the closest specification, saying that he had done to the best of his ability. The Rebbe immediately opened the drawer of his desk which was full of tape recorders and exclaimed “It is not the tape recorder that I needed it is you that I needed.”
As we are in the day of Bein Hametzorim - the three weeks and nine days, as we may be sitting comfortably in our homes or on vacation, we must always remember that the Shechinoh (Devine presence) is in Golus (exile) therefore we cannot feel “at home” or settled in our present settings.
Rav Duvidel Biederman - Lelover Rebbe of Yerusholayim ZY”A, at a point lived in the Old City of Yerusholayim, facing the Har HaBayis (Temple mount). At the Shabbos night Seudoh (Friday night meal) when he would sing the Zemiros of Koh Ribbon Olam (composed by Rav Yisroel Najera ZY”A), he would look out of his window and gaze upon the Mokom HaMikdosh and when he reached the last stanza, with tears streaming from his eyes he would sing, “LiMikdosheich tuv UliKodesh Kudshin ... - To Your Sanctuary return and to the Holy of Holies, the place where spirits and souls will rejoice and utter songs and praises - in Yerusholayim, city of beauty.”
We must strive and yearn for the rebuilding of the Third Beis HaMikdosh in Yerusholayim Ir HaKodesh Bimheiroh Biyomeinu, Omein.
