This week's haftorah brings us to the concluding dimensions of Hashem's encompassing efforts to comfort the Jewish people. The prophet Yeshaya shares with us a glimpse of the glorious era of mashiach and reveals Hashem's unbelievable sensitivity and concern for His chosen nation. Yeshaya says, "Lift your eyes and see them coming; your sons coming from afar and your daughters accompanied by the kings of the world." (60:3-5) The cloud of darkness and confusion which continuously plagues society will finally be lifted and the entire world will flow into Jerusalem in streams to discover the truths of Hashem and His Torah. Instead of the all too familiar scene of the Jewish people streaming out of their homeland into exile, a new flow will occur. Not only will our oppressors permit us to return to Israel, they will even personally escort us back to our homeland. And to complete this picture, nations will display sincere interest in the Jewish people's traditions and will flock to our homeland to discover our Jewish values and systems.
The prophet continues, "All the choice sheep of Kedar will gather to you.... to be offered on My altar and accepted with desire." (60: 7) The nations of the world will appreciate in sincerity the value of service to Hashem through sacrifice and will continuously offer Him an abundance of sacrifices. In place of their cruel campaign for thousands of years to destroy and never allow the reconstruction of the Bais Hamikdash they will finally comprehend spiritual values and utilize the Bais Hamikdash to capacity. The prophet adds, "And foreign nations will build your walls and their kings will contribute the funds" (60:10). Even the demolished walls of Israel's cities will be rebuilt by her oppressors, nations who previously acted so harshly toward the Jewish people.
According to the Rambam Mishneh Torah, Hilchos Melachim 11:1,4 the Beis HaMikdash will be built by man, more specifically by mashiach. Indeed, its construction will be one of the signs of mashiach’s advent. The message of the navi makes sense as the Bais Hamikdash will be man-made so the nations can partake in the rebuilding. But according to Rashi, there will be nothing for them to do; it will come down complete from Hashem.
According to Rashi, (Sukkah 41a, Rosh HaShanah 30a – see also Tosafos, Sukkah – the Beis HaMikdash has already been constructed by G-d and exists in the heavenly realms, waiting for the time when it will descend to the earth. For the third Beis HaMikdash will be “the Sanctuary of Hashem, established by Your hands.” When the setting within the world is appropriate, this heavenly structure will descend and become an actual reality within our material world. Why would we want the nations to partake at all in the building of the Bais Hamekdash? Why should they have that privilege after all that they put us through in 2000 years of galut?
Maybe this is a lesson that is appropriate for entering the Yamim Noraim; the ability and freedom of forgiveness. To forgive liberates us in a way that enables us to move on and rebuild. When we hold on to the past we suffer and can never rebuild anything. However, if we want the Bais Hamikdash we will have to rid ourselves from that hate and move on.
As the New Year is upon us and we really want to build the next year, we can only do so if we forgive.
