When we had the Beis HaMikdash whatever problem a Jew — or even a non-Jew — had, there was a clear address where he could turn to find Hashem. A Jew would go to the Beis HaMikdash, daven there to Hashem, and receive whatever he needed. Let's say we had a father who was wealthy, wise, and powerful and an excellent doctor to boot. Our father could solve any problem. All we had to do was go to his house and ask him. Nowadays we dwell in darkness. To this day we are crying over the destruction of the Beis HaMikdash. This is because we lost the most wonderful thing imaginable: Hashem's house.
What would happen if someone walked in and said, "You'll never believe this — Mashiach has come, and the Beis HaMikdash has been rebuilt!" If we had any sense, we would rush out, get on a plane or hail a taxi, and get to Yerushalayim as fast as possible. Such a wonderful thing — Hashem rebuilt His house and is living in our midst once again!
But we do have a Beis HaMikdash. It's here! Hashem is with us every Shabbos. Of course He is always with us, but on Shabbos He is with us in the same special way as in the Beis HaMikdash. What should we do on Shabbos? Just one thing: "Remember the Shabbos day to sanctify it." Know that today is Shabbos. Understand that for the duration of this day you are living with Hashem. If a person doesn't know he has a wealthy father, he is liable to live seventy years without utilizing the wealth that could be his. So it is with Shabbos.
You don't have to go and get Shabbos — it comes to you. Shabbos doesn't depend on us — it comes from Hashem. If we understand that today is Shabbos, if we observe its laws and protect its sanctity as we should, as time goes on we will develop a wonderful feeling for Shabbos Kodesh which is Hashem's special gift to every Jew.
When we bathe for Shabbos, we should believe that everything that has happened until now is being washed away. We enter the home of Hashem and are greeted with a smile. Not because we deserve it, but because this is Hashem's house, and this is the smile of Shabbos Kodesh. If we learn how to take advantage of this smile, and pray as we should, all our problems will be solved, as in the time of the Beis HaMikdash. All we need to do is open our eyes and understand how wonderful it is to be with Hashem!
The Beis HaMikdash Exists on Shabbos
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