B"H
a month which is hard but very rewarding. CGIUPhigh.com for pictures :)
We are now amidst the 9 days of mourning for the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem which existed about 2,000 yrs. ago. In the yr. 70 c.e. the 2nd and last temple was destroyed by the Romans, and we Jews entered "galut"-exile across thew world. For what reason was the holy temple destroyed? The "Beit Hamikdash" in which G-d Dwelled?
Our Rabbis explain, that Hashem destroyed the temple b/c of "sinat chinam"-baseless hatred, of 1 Jew to another. This shows us how truly important "ahavat yisroel"-to love your fellow Jew as yourself, really is.
Long ago, there were 2 brothers who lived on opposite sides of a large hill. One brother was poor, and lived alone. His brother on the other side was well off financially, and married with children. One night, an idea occurred to the richer brother. Since his brother on the other side of the hill was poor and lonely, perhaps an extra bundle of wheat would cheer him up? So that night he crossed the hill and dropped off a big bundle of wheat in his brother's pile. Happy and content, he returned home to sleep. An hour later, the poor brother awoke with a great idea: my brother has so many responsibilities and worries to deal with his large family, perhaps an extra bundle of wheat would ease his stress? So he got up and crossed the hill, happily dropping off a big bundle into his brother's pile. The next morning when both brothers awoke, they were surprised to find their own piles of wheat to be the same size as before!
This back and forth repeated itself night after night. One night, both brothers set out at the same hour, and bumped into each other at the top of the hill, bundles of wheat in hand. Immediately each brother realized what had been going on, and the love each other had for each other. The brothers embraced and cried over the love each had for his brother. This hill where these to brothers met, is the temple mount in which the Beit Hamikdash was built, and where the 3rd and final Temple will be built any day now when Moshiach comes. The dwelling for G-d's Presence is founded on love of a Jew to his fellow. And through this love of one another, and kind deeds to each other, we will merit Moshiach's coming very soon and the rebuilding of the temple over the western wall. May it be today!
By us adding 1 more deed in kindness, helping a new student find his or her way, making a meal for a family, inviting new guests for shabbat-whatever it may be, may we all increase and grow in our love and kindness for another. Moshiach Now!
Have a great week!
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