...leaps forwards and rips the canvas into several pieces, destroying the painting. The artist is aghast, and furiously demands an explanation. ‐My friend,‐ he gently replies, ‐just turn around slowly and see what is behind you. I value your life more than your art, and I had no choice but to ruin your beautiful creation in order to save your life.‐
The bais hamikdash was an incredible opportunity for klal yisroel. The kohanim would bring our korbanos and atone for all our sins. We should have used this to draw closer to Hashem. Instead, we became lax in our mitzvos, reasoning that everything would be forgiven in the end.
Hashem tried to wake us up and point out the error of our ways, but we were deaf to his pleas. Therefore, He had no choice but to take the bais hamikdash away from us. Without this ‘crutch’ in place, we would hopefully awaken to Hashem’s message, and do teshuva.
Nachamu ami – we are consoled because we are still His people, and we always will be. We have still not merited our redemption, but He still loves us, and still considers us His nation. We mourn the destruction of the bais hamikdash, but remembering this very event also brings us comfort. We share an unbreakable bond with Hakadosh Baruch Hu since the time He committed to us as we stood under Har Sinai.
Hashem took us as his people and committed to us for all time. We need to reciprocate, and show Him that as members of His nation, we perform mitzvos with a strong commitment.
