Three Masechtos Corresponding to Three Batei Mikdash
Continuing on this sacred journey, we will now explain the rationale for having 176 dafs in Maseches Bava Batra. As we know, there are three consecutive masechtos called Bava—Bava Kama, Bava Metzia, and Bava Batra. We can suggest that they allude to the three Batei Mikdash. For, we have learned in the Gemara (Yoma 9b):
"מקדש ראשון מפני מה חרב, מפני שלשה דברים שהיו בו עבודה זרה וגלוי עריות ושפיכות דמים... אבל מקדש שני שהיו עוסקין בתורה ומצוות וגמילות חסדים מפני מה חרב, מפני שהיתה בו שנאת חנם, ללמדך ששקולה שנאת חנם כנגד שלש עבירות עבודה זרה גלוי עריות ושפיכות דמים".
The first Beis HaMikdash was destroyed because the people were guilty of the three cardinal sins—avodah zarah, immorality and murder. These sins were not prevalent during the times of the second Beis HaMikdash; the people of that period engaged in Torah-study and performed mitzvos and acts of kindness. The second Beis HaMikdash was destroyed because of “sin’as chinam”— baseless hatred. This teaches us that “sin’as chinam” is equivalent to the three cardinal sins.
Let us posit that Bava Kama corresponds to the first Beis HaMikdash, which was destroyed because of the three cardinal sins. Hence, Rabeinu HaKadosh opens the Maseches with the teaching: "ארבעה אבות נזיקין השור והבור והמבעה וההבער"—the four principal causes of damage are the ox, the pit, the crop-destroying animal (“mav’eh”) and fire. According to the Megaleh Amukos, they represent four forces of tumah, which respectively oppose the four letters of the blessed name Havaya. These four forces of tumah caused Yisrael to sin during that era resulting in the churban of the first Beis HaMikdash.
We can posit that Bava Metzia corresponds to the second Beis HaMikdash, which was destroyed because of the sin of “sin’as chinam.” Hence, Rabeinu HaKadosh opened the Maseches with the Mishnah: "שנים אוחזין בטלית, זה אומר אני מצאתיה וזה אומר אני מצאתיה, זה אומר כולה שלי וזה אומר כולה שלי"— two litigants come to “beit-din” holding a garment; this one says, “I found it first,” and this one says, “I found it first”; this one says, “It is all mine,” and this one says, “It is all mine.” With this case, he was alluding to “sin’as chinam” and its attendant controversy.
This brings us to Bava Batra corresponding to the third Beis HaMikdash, which is destined to be built in the merit of “ahavah” and “achdut” among Yisrael. Hence, Rabeinu HaKadosh opens the Maseches with the Mishnah: "השותפין שרצו לעשות מחיצה בחצר בונין את הכותל באמצע"—partners who agreed to make a partition in a courtyard must build the wall in the center. Rashi explains that half of the thickness of the partition must be on each partner’s side of the courtyard. Thus, Rabeinu HaKadosh was alluding to the attribute of “achdut”—unity and harmony—associated with a good partnership. Even when they build a partition designating each one’s private property, they agree to build it together with each one providing his fair share.
Elsewhere, we learn in the Gemara (Sanhedrin 97a): "שית אלפי שני הוו עלמא וחד חרוב"—the world will exist for six thousand years, and it will be destroyed for one thousand years. In other words, Olam HaBa will only come to be after this world has existed for seven thousand years. This is because in Olam HaBa, divine supervision based on the laws of nature will be annulled totally, and divine supervision will be based totally on the number eight; it will be supernatural.
For this reason (Berachos 17a): "העולם הבא אין בו לא אכילה ולא שתיה ולא פריה ורביה ולא משא ומתן ולא קנאה ולא שנאה ולא תחרות, אלא צדיקים יושבין ועטרותיהם בראשיהם ונהנים מזיו השכינה". In Olam HaBa, there is no eating, no drinking, no procreation, no business negotiations, no jealousy, no hatred, and no competition. Rather, tzaddikim sit with their crowns on their heads and delight in the radiance of the Shechinah. In other words, this Gemara teaches us that le’asid la’vo, we will be privileged to live a supernatural existence without the demands of a natural existence.
We can now appreciate why there are 176 dafs in Maseches Bava Batra. As we have learned, this number represents the 22 letters of the Torah with each letter encompassing the number eight—the dimension of the supernatural. This conveys the message that we will merit the future geulah through the study of Torah. We are taught that Moshe Rabeinu does not wish to redeem those who are negligent with regards to Torah-study. In the merit of Torah-study, we will experience the future geulah after the seven thousand years of Olam HaZeh; the third Beis HaMikdash will be built; the supervision will transcend the laws of nature. This is alluded to by the 176 dafs.
