Brain vs. Hand

This past Tuesday, Jews worldwide sadly recalled the day - 1,942 yrs. ago - that the Roman army breached the outer walls of Jerusalem on their way to destroying our holy temple. This finally occurred 3 weeks later on the 9th day of the Hebrew month of Av, which every year we mark with fasting and prayer (August 9th this year).


Sure, the breaching of our walls, the destruction of our temple, the loss of our sovereignty over Israel and Jerusalem were all sad occurrences. Our ancestors were exiled from the land for thousands of years, dispersed among the nations which, by and large, weren't too thrilled to host us. So of course it's understandable why we mourn these days. But we now have the land of Israel and sovereignty. All that we really lack is the temple in Jerusalem. And is that such a big deal? Well, a little while back, I learned about an interesting argument that occurred between 2 of the greatest Jewish Sages of the 12th century, the Rambam & Ramban - a.k.a Maimonides & Nachmanides (hey, I didn't make these names up). Perhaps this argument can shed some light about what was so special about this temple, and what we are really missing in not having it.

Scripture often mentions that G-d's Divine Presence Dwelt in the Temple during its standing. Maimonides and Nachmanides argue, however, about how G-d Dwelt there. How strongly, how permanently, did G-d's Presence really manifest Itself? Maimonides argued, that G-d's Presence was only there symbolically, without permanence. By way of analogy, let's imagine an author writing a long essay or story. As he writes page after page, imbuing his great intelligence and wit into the story line, would you say that after a while the author's hand got smarter or wittier? That it had developed into something greater? No way! The hand was merely a conduit for the author's intelligence & wit to come into writing onto the page. So too by the temple. This Divine building known as the temple, served as a conduit for G-d to Express Himself. Hence the miracles seen there. But that's all it was. G-d's Presence never actually dwelt there.

Nachmanides, however, argued. G-d's Presence did Reside in the Temple. In a way of permanence no less! Let's imagine a person's brain. As he or she learns more & more wisdom, that person's brain is actually affected! It has developed new nerve connections and wiring, becoming sharper & quicker in its thinking and understanding, storing the wisdom & using it as it develops further ideas. That mass in your head actually changed. The wisdom you learned didn't merely pass through, it stayed in a permanent way. So too, argued Nachmanides, did G-d's Presence manifest Itself in the temple. It's not just that G-d Used it as a place for His Expression to pass through to the world. Rather, the temple was G-d's Home. He Resided there in a way of permanence. He was Comfortable there, more than anywhere else, and we enjoyed His company, His Revealed Presence in the world.

As we remember the glorious days of the temple, and mourn its tragic loss, let's mourn together with G-d For the loss of His home. For until it is rebuilt, the purpose of the creation of the world is left incomplete. But with every good thought, speech & deed that we do, we help bring the day closer when G-d's Home will once again stand in Jerusalem. As our Sages teach, each mitzvah - good deed - that we do, constitutes a brick in the future temple.

Shabbat Shalom!

-Daniel