The Best of Both Temples

The Haftorah of the weekly reading of Vaes’chanan begins with the words, “Comfort, comfort” The Midrash explains that the word “comfort” appears twice because of the twofold nature of the consolation: once for the destruction of each of the two Holy Temples.

G‑d’s consolation for the destruction of the Temples lies in His promise that a Third Holy Temple will be built after the coming of Mashiach. This Temple will contain all of the five vital elements (such as the Ark) that existed in the First Temple and were lacking in the Second.

It therefore follows that in providing consolation for the First Temple, consolation for the Second Temple is automatically included. This being so, it would seem that one consolation would suffice for the destruction of both Temples. Why is there a need for a twofold consolation?

Although, in a general sense, the Second Temple was spiritually inferior to the First, nevertheless in certain respects it was superior.

During the time of the First Temple, the service of the Jewish people was at the level of the “righteous.” Consequently, the world’s potential for holiness by dint of its own intrinsic being and Divine service was yet to be revealed.

During the time of the Second Temple, however, Jews were at the level of penitents, for it was through their repentance for the sins that destroyed the First Temple that the Second Temple came into being. Since the Divine service of penitents is of such intensity that physicality comes to perceive G‑dliness, the Second Temple possessed a superior quality — the quality of physicality transforming itself into holiness, and becoming a Temple for G‑d.

Thus, the Third Temple will contain not only those things found in the First Temple and lacking in the Second, but also those qualities found specifically in the Second Temple and lacking in the First. The verse therefore offers a twofold consolation, for the unique qualities found in each of the two Holy Temples.

May we merit to see it now!

Shabbat Shalom!

Candle lighting time in NYC is at 7:34 PM