A Necessary 440 Year Wait
Sefer Devarim mentions the Beit Hamikdash (the makom asher yivchar Hashem) no less than 21 times. Nonetheless, it took 404 years from when Moshe Rabbeinu delivered sefer Devarim’s speeches until we built the Beit Hamikdash (Melachim I 6:1). Why did we wait so long to make this edifice of monumental importance?
Although Ramban (to Bamidbar 16:21) criticizes us for this delay, Rashi (to Devarim 12:10-11) believes it was necessary. Devarim 12:10-11 sets forth the steps needed for us to be ready to build the Beit Hamikdash: First, we enter Eretz Yisrael as a nation and settle in the land. Only after our enemies no longer threaten us and we are securely nestled in Eretz Yisrael may we build the Beit Hamikdash.
Rashi writes that these conditions were met only in David HaMelech’s days. In fact, David HaMelech’s words in Shmuel 2, 7:1-2 perfectly match Devarim 12:10-11. David HaMelech realizes and conveys to Natan HaNavi that the conditions to meet the Beit Hamikdash were met, and it is time to build the Beit Hamikdash.
Natan HaNavi, in turn, agrees until Hashem appears to him and says to wait for David’s son Shlomo HaMelech to build the Beit Hamikdash. Apparently, the stability required to make the Beit Hamikdash came to fruition only in Shlomo HaMelech’s time. Even Shlomo HaMelech waited four years until his rule solidified before building the Beit Hamikdash.
After the Six Day War, we asked Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik (Nefesh HaRav, pages 96-97) if now that we regained sovereignty over Har HaBayit for the first time in nearly 2,000 years, the time to build the Beit Hamikdash had arrived. He cited Devarim 12:10-11 and Rashi that we make the Beit Hamikdash only after the Jewish people are settled in Israel securely, without threatening neighbors. Since, unfortunately, Israel’s enemies still threaten her, we should not yet consider building the Mikdash.
Why the Wait?
Why must we wait until we are “Vishavtem betach—secure,” to build the Beit Hamikdash? Practically, we will not have the resources necessary to build the Beit Hamikdash when security is our top priority. In addition, the enormous task of building the Beit Hamikdash might distract us from bringing security to all of Eretz Yisrael. Building the Beit Hamikdash is a “peace dividend,” similar to Yishayahu HaNavi’s messianic vision of beating our swords into plows (Yeshayahu 2:4).
Rabbi Rafi Mandelstam explains that the Beit Hamikdash is a place of the intense presence of Shechina, which resides when there is simcha (Shabbat 30b). There needs to be stability and peace to have the requisite simcha to build the Beit Hamikdash. I think we must distinguish between a “sibah” (the cause) and a “siman” (the indication of the cause). If there is war in the land, it means we are sinning; if we are sinning, we are not ready for the Mikdash. Vayikra 26:3-6 teaches that if we honor Hashem’s mitzvot, He brings peace to our land. If we are insecure in Eretz Yisrael, we are deficient in Torah observance. If so, we are not yet worthy of building the Beit Hamikdash.
The Mishkan and Bayit Sheni
Why did Hashem command us to build the Mishkan before we achieved stability? Perhaps it is because the Mishkan’s agenda is far more modest—testimony that Hashem resides with Am Yisrael (Shemot 25:8 “Veshachanti betocham,” and Shabbat 22b). By contrast, the Beit Hamikdash’s agenda is far grander—to serve as a “beit tefillah lechol haamim—a place of prayer for all of humanity,” (Yishayahu 56:7). Such a lofty goal is attainable only in the time of a great king such as Shlomo HaMelech.
This distinction explains the need for Chagai HaNavi to convey Hashem’s command to build Bayit Sheni. We had not achieved security during Chagai’s era, when we were under Persian rule. Nonetheless, Hashem commanded us to make the second Beit Hamikdash. Chagai sets forth Bayit Sheini’s modest agenda—testimony that “Ani itchem,” that Hashem’s presence remains amongst us (Chagai 1:13).
Conclusion: Medinat Yisrael And the Kotel HaMaaravi
I suggest that the miracles of Medinat Yisrael’s establishment and Jewish control of the Kotel HaMaaravi are Hashem telling our generation, “Ani itchem.” After the Holocaust, some thought Hashem abandoned us. However, the state of Israel’s thriving and our robust presence at the Kotel tell us to perish that thought! Rav Soloveitchik reported that Christian missionaries persistently accosted him during his train rides from Boston to New York during World War II, telling him that the Shoah proves Hashem left us. Israel and the Kotel are Hashem’s potent response.
While Israel and the Kotel are most beautiful and uplifting, we are unsatisfied with the current situation. We deeply yearn for peace and security in Eretz Yisrael, and a descendant of David HaMelech leading us in the grand rebuilding of the third Beit Hamikdash.
Rabbi Jachter serves as the rav of Congregation Shaarei Orah, rebbe at Torah Academy of Bergen County and a get administrator with the Beth Din of Elizabeth. Rabbi Jachter’s 18 books may be purchased at Amazon and Judaica House.
