Living With Moshiach, Parshat Devarim, 5755 B"H LIVING WITH MOSHIACH Weekly Digest About Moshiach PARSHAT DEVARIM Av 8, 5755 Aug. 4, 1995 * Published Weekly By Lubavitch Shluchim Conferences On The Moshiach Campaign, Committee For The Blind * * * 5755 "Year of Hakhel" *********************************************** * TO RECEIVE THIS PUBLICATION VIA INTERNET: * * E-Mail: yys@dorsai.org * * FOR CHABAD-LUBAVITCH IN CYBERSPACE: * * E-Mail: info@chabad.org * *********************************************** THIS PUBLICATION IS DEDICATED TO THE REBBE, RABBI MENACHEM M. SCHNEERSON OF LUBAVITCH "I BELIEVE WITH COMPLETE FAITH IN THE ARRIVAL OF THE MOSHIACH. AND THOUGH HE MAY TARRY, I SHALL WAIT EACH DAY, ANTICIPATING HIS ARRIVAL." Maimonides, Principles of the Faith, No. 12 ********************* * TABLE OF CONTENTS * ********************* Introduction The Weekly Torah Portion The Rebbe's Prophecy Laws Of The Holy Temple Shabbat Chazon Shabbat Tisha B'Av A Call To Action Moshiach Is Born On Tisha B'Av Some Laws Of Tisha B'Av To Add In Ahavat Chinam The Purpose Of A Fast Day Tisha B'Av Has Two Sides To It! Season Of The Beis HaMikdash **************** * INTRODUCTION * **************** We are pleased to present, to the visually impaired and the blind, our weekly publication, Living with Moshiach. * In response to the Rebbe's call, that, in this time period called "the Three Weeks," we should study about the Beis HaMikdash, we conclude the series of articles focusing on the laws of the Holy Temple, etc. * Our sincere appreciation to L'Chaim weekly publication, published by the Lubavitch Youth Organization, for allowing us to use their material. Also, many thanks to our copy editor, Reb Mordechai Staiman, for his tireless efforts. * It is our fervent hope that our learning about Moshiach and the Redemption will hasten the coming of Moshiach, NOW! Rabbi Yosef Y. Shagalov Administrator Committee for the Blind E-Mail: yys@dorsai.org 27 Tamuz, 5755, Year of Hakhel Brooklyn, New York *************************************** * THE WEEKLY TORAH PORTION * * Adapted from the Works of the Rebbe * *************************************** Parshat Devarim "See, I have set the land before you," Moses relates in this week's Torah portion, Devarim. "Come and possess the land G-d swore unto your fathers." Rashi, the foremost Torah commentator whose explanation on the text expresses its most literal meaning, explains that the Jewish people did not have to wage war in order to take possession of the land of Israel; had they not sent the spies, they would not have needed any weapons. "There is no one to contest the matter," Rashi comments. Since G-d Himself promised the land to the Jews, no one in the whole world could have prevented this from happening. Historically, however, we see that instead of a miraculous entry into the land, the Jewish people did indeed engage in battle with their enemies. Their lack of faith and insistence that Moses send spies to bring back a report spoiled their opport unity to enter the land unopposed, and made it necessary for them to follow a natural procedure instead of a miraculous one. In other words, it was their own negative attitude and conduct that forced them to wage wars in order to assert their Divine right to the land. This contains a moral for our own times and present condition: The Torah tells us that the Final Redemption with Moshiach will be very much like our first redemption from Egypt, but will be accompanied by even more wonders and miracles. It follows that if the entry and settlement of the land of Israel was supposed to be accomplished in a supernatural manner the first time, how much more so will it be miraculous in our own times, with the Messianic Redemption! Again, just as before, the entire matter depends on us. We must show absolute faith in G-d and His promise that the entire land of Israel belongs to the Jewish people. We must not be afraid to inform the nations of the world--unequivocally--that the land of Israel is our eternal legacy. As Rashi explains on the very first verse of the Torah, "The whole earth belongs to G-d; He created it and gave it to whom He saw fit. [The land of Israel] was given to [the nations] by His will, and by His will He took it from them and gave it to us!" When we will demonstrate this true and absolute faith in G-d, we will immediately merit that "no one will contest this, and there will be no more wars nor the need for any weapons." ********************************************* * IN LOVING MEMORY OF MY DEAR GRANDPARENTS, * * * * Reb Shmuel Pesach Ben Reb Yaakov Dovid * * Passed away on 3 Tishrei, 5755 * * * * Mrs. Fraidel Chedvah Bas Reb Zev Wolf * * Passed away on 4 Adar II, 5755 * * Pais * ********************************************* ************************ * THE REBBE'S PROPHECY * ************************ The Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson of Lubavitch, issued a call that "THE TIME OF OUR REDEMPTION HAS ARRIVED!" and "MOSHIACH IS ON HIS WAY!" The Rebbe stressed that he is saying this AS A PROPHECY, and asks us all to prepare ourselves for the Redemption, through increasing acts of goodness and kindness. LET US ALL HEED THE REBBE'S CALL. * What makes the Rebbe's declaration--that Moshiach's arrival is imminent and the time for the Redemption has arrived--different from those of great leaders of previous generations? The Jewish people have believed in and awaited Moshiach's coming since the beginning of our nation. In numerous instances throughout Jewish history, tzadikim (righteous people) of various generations pointed to hints in the Torah that the promised Redemption was near at hand. Sensing the special opportunity for Moshiach's coming, they motivated the Jewish people to study more Torah, do more mitzvot and repent in the hope that these actions would be what was needed to make the Redemption happen. In the times of the Previous Rebbe, the anticipation for the Redemption was truly tangible. The Previous Rebbe issued an urgent call to world Jewry: "Immediate repentance brings immediate Redemption." Even when the Rebbe accepted the leadership in 1950, though he said unequivocally that our generation is the last generation to live in exile and the first generation of the Redemption, he did not say that we had yet reached the moment of Redemption. Only forty years later, after sending thousands of emissaries around the world, initiating the Mitzvah Campaigns to reinvigorate Jewish observance, and inspiring millions, did the Rebbe proclaim, "The time of our Redemption has arrived." This is a totally different message that has never before been enunciated in the history of the Jewish people. The Midrash (Yalkut Shimoni) tells us that in a time when we will witness certain events (similar to those that we saw during the time of the Gulf War), Moshiach will tell the Jewish people that the time of the Redemption has arrived. This is not a hope, a wish, or a special opportunity, but a call to prepare to greet Moshiach. The Rebbe has never given a date. But the Rebbe has said that the time is now. The question each of us must ask ourselves is not, "When is Moshiach coming?" but rather, "Am I ready for Moshiach's coming today!" *************************************** * LAWS OF THE HOLY TEMPLE * * Adapted From Rambam's Mishnah Torah * *************************************** = 3 = 2. THE KIYOR, WASH-BASIN The Kiyor (Wash-basin) was a large vessel full of water, used by the Kohanim to wash their hands and feet, before beginning their service in the Temple. The Kiyor, originally had only two taps, but later it was redesigned by one of the High Priests called Ben Katin, to have twelve taps. This enabled all the twelve priests who participated in the daily offering to wash their hands and feet at once, before they began the Temple service. * * * In the inner Holy Chamber, there are three vessels: 1. THE SMALL GOLDEN ALTAR The small Altar was made of pure gold, and was for offerings of sweet smelling incense. 2. THE MENORAH The menorah was made of pure gold. It had three feet, and seven straight branches. On each branch there were three upside-down cups. Near the base was another cup, bringing the total to 22 cups--exactly equal to the number of letters in the aleph bais, the Hebrew alphabet. There were also 9 flowers and 11 egg-shaped bulbs decorating the menorah. The flowers were a symbol of the world's potential for growth and development. The bulbs were a symbol of limitless spiritual pleasure. The menorah was lit by the Kohen Gadol, the High Priest, every day toward evening. All the flames in the menorah faced the central lamp. This lamp was called the nair ma'aravi--the western lamp--because it faced the Holy of Holies. This lamp was the first one kindled every day toward evening, and it would burn miraculously long after the others had burned out, until it was time to rekindle the menorah the next day. This was a sign to the entire world that G-d dwelt with the Jewish people. 3. THE SHULCHAN, THE TABLE Twelve specially baked "loaves" were placed on this golden table every Friday before Shabbat. They stood in two rows. Between each tray was an air-space, the "loaves" were called the lechem hapanim, because they were shaped like a barge, facing in 2 directions at once. THE KODESH HAKODOSHIM The holiest part of the Temple was in the west. It was called the Holy of Holies. In it stood the Ark, in which the Ten Commandments were kept. This box was made of wood, with a layer of gold inside and a layer of gold outside. There were really three boxes, one within the other. The cover of the Ark was solid gold more than 6" thick. On top of the Ark-cover were two golden figures, a boy and a girl. Like soldiers they stood guard over the Torah. G-d spoke to Moshe through their wings. When G-d was pleased with the Jewish people, these figures would face towards each other with love. Beside the Ark was the legendary staff of Moshe's brother, Aaron, the first high priest, which once miraculously sprouted almond blossoms overnight, and a flask containing manna, a memorial from the time of Moshe and from the time the Jews were in the wilderness. This was to remind Jews how G-d sustained our ancestors for forty years in the desert, and how surely, He can sustain us now and at all times! No one was ever allowed into this Holiest Chamber except the Kohen Gadol, and he could only enter once a year, on Yom Kippur, to pray for the welfare of the Jewish people. To clean the Holy of Holies, men were lowered from above in baskets. The baskets faced the wall, so that the men could do their job without looking into the room itself. When King Solomon built the Temple, he knew that it would ultimately be destroyed. He built secret underground rooms in which to hide The Ark with the Ten Commandments, as well as Aaron's staff, the small vessel with manna, and the oil for anointing. Before the First Temple was destroyed, King Yeshiyahu commanded that the Ark be placed in these secret passageways. He also hid the staff of Aaron, the bottle of manna, and the oil for anointing. None of these things was found again, not even in the time of the Second Temple, but they will all be returned in the time of Moshiach, when the Third Temple will be rebuilt, speedily NOW. ****************** * SHABBAT CHAZON * ****************** The Shabbat before, or this year the day of Tisha B'Av, the ninth of the Hebrew month of Av, is known as Shabbat Chazon, after the first word of this week's Haftorah,[1] "chazon" (vision). Rabbi Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev used to note that the name comes from the word machaze, meaning "vision," for "on that day everyone is shown the future Holy Temple." According to Rabbi Levi Yitzchok, "every Jew is shown from afar a vision of the future Holy Temple." This spiritual vision of the Third Holy Temple, which will be permanent and ever-lasting, is experienced by our souls. Rabbi Levi Yitzchok explains the vision with the parable of a child who is given a beautiful, new suit, but proceeds to tear it to pieces. The father has another suit sewn and given to his son. This, too, the child shreds beyond repair. The father has another suit sewn for the boy, but this time he leaves it hanging in the closet. Every once in a while, the father brings the suit out and shows it to his child. He tells his son lovingly that when his behavior improves, he will be able to wear the suit. Thus, the father trains his child to behave in an appropriate manner. We can grasp from the parable that the purpose of showing the child the garment (and us a vision of the Third Holy Temple) is to encourage within the child a longing for the object, a longing so great that he mends his ways and his upright conduct becomes second nature. The purpose of this vision is to inspire and encourage a Jew: having caught a glimpse of the Third Holy Temple in its heavenly perfection, all that is left for him to do is to bring it down to this world. Although not everyone actually sees the Third Holy Temple, everyone is intrinsically affected by it. This is similar to the following episode from the Book of Daniel: "And I Daniel alone saw the vision; the men who were with me did not see the vision, but a great trembling fell upon them . . . ." Our Sages ask why a dread fell upon the men with Daniel if they had not actually witnessed the vision. They answer: "Though they did not see it, their heavenly soul saw it." In the same way, on Shabbat Chazon, the soul sees the future Sanctuary; moreover, this perception leaves an impression on the individual, even on his body. Let us hope and pray that our souls will be attuned to the heavenly vision we are about to be shown. So much so that we will totally mend our ways, thus meriting to see not just a spiritual vision of the Temple, but the physical Temple in all its glory. And that we will all celebrate Tisha B'Av this year in the rebuilt city of Jerusalem, not as a day of mourning, but as a day of joy and happiness, with Moshiach, NOW. --------------------- 1. The Haftorah is a portion from the Prophets that has a common theme with the Torah portion of that week. The reading of the Haftorah was instituted after a decree had been established forbidding the Jews to read the Torah. When the decree was later abolished, the custom of reading the Haftorah was retained. ********************** * SHABBAT TISHA B'AV * ********************** The date of this Shabbat is the ninth of the Hebrew month of Av. In most years the ninth of Av is spent mourning the destruction of the Holy Temple. We fast, sit on low stools, read the Book of Lamentations and observe various other customs of mourning for the destruction of Jerusalem and G-d's Holiest House. This year, however, we will not fast on the ninth of Av. Neither will we show any signs of mourning. For, this year, the ninth of Av falls on Shabbat, a day on which we do not mourn or observe public fasts (with the exception of Yom Kippur). According to Jewish law, when something is nidchei--pushed off--it doesn't have the same significance and stress as if it takes place on schedule. On numerous past occasions, the Rebbe has mentioned, concerning a fast that is pushed off, that if it is already pushed off, let it be totally pushed off. What does this mean? When Moshiach comes and the Third Temple is built, the four fast days--and Tisha B'Av is one of these--associated with the destruction of the Temples and Jerusalem will be celebrated as days of rejoicing. Therefore, if the fast of Tisha B'Av is already being pushed off until Sunday, let it be pushed off altogether with the coming of Moshiach. * Among the unique aspects of the observance of Tisha B'Av this year is that it has a resemblance to Yom Kippur. In regard to Yom Kippur, it is said, "Whoever eats and drinks on the ninth is considered as if he fasted on the ninth and tenth." Eating "succulent meat and aged wine" on the ninth of the month causes G-d to have this considered as a special merit. This concept can also be borrowed in regard to the ninth and tenth of Av this year, for we eat on the ninth of the month in preparation for the fast on the tenth. The imminence of the Redemption mentioned previously allows for the possibility for a further connection to be drawn between Tisha B'Av and Yom Kippur. At the dedication of the First Holy Temple, on the tenth of Tishrei, on Yom Kippur, the Jews ate and drank in celebration. And this was considered a unique merit for them. Since we are awaiting Moshiach's arrival every day, it is possible that the tenth of Av will be the dedication of the Third Holy Temple. For the Holy Temple is already completely built in the spiritual realms and must only descend to the earth. Were this to happen, the parallel between Tisha B'Av and Yom Kippur would be revealed in the most complete and positive sense. May it happen this year! ******************** * A CALL TO ACTION * ******************** The Rebbe's slogan is: "The main thing is the deed." Hence, we present suggestions from the Rebbe's talks of what we can do to complete the Rebbe's work of bringing the Redemption. INCREASE REJOICING THIS SHABBAT: The fact that Tisha B'Av falls on Shabbat, and thus instead of fasting we are obligated to take pleasure in the food and beverages served, alludes to the Redemption. For this reason, when a fast day falls on Shabbat, and is therefore pushed off until Sunday, there must be an additional stress on happiness. The Rebbe, 9 Av, 5751 ********************************** * MOSHIACH IS BORN ON TISHA B'AV * ********************************** Four years ago, the Jewish holidays and notable days occurred on the same days of the week as this year. Thus, in 5751 (1991) Tisha B'Av also fell out on Shabbat. Tisha B'Av, normally a day of mourning for the destruction of the Holy Temple, wastherefore a day of happiness and rejoicing, as we do not mourn on Shabbat. There is another reason to rejoice on Tisha B'Av. And this, too, the Rebbe spoke about at great length on Tisha B'Av four years ago and the days immediately following it. * Tisha B'Av is known by our Sages as the birthday of Moshiach. In simple terms this means that at the moment of the destruction of the Holy Temple, the potential for the Final Redemption, through Moshiach, was born. The Rebbe clarified the exact meaning of this: "Our Sages explain that this cannot refer to Moshiach's actual birth, because Moshiach will not be an infant when he redeems our people. But rather, it refers to a strengthening of his influence. For our Sages refer to a birthday as a day when mazalo govair, "the spiritual source of one's soul shines powerfully." On the day when Moshiach's spiritual source is powerfully revealed, there is a unique potential for the Redemption to come. . . . Each year, for the past two thousand years, on Tisha B'Av, Moshiach receives new power and new strength, and from year to year, this influence grows more powerfully." Thus, Tisha B'Av is a unique time, when the potential for the Redemption is at its peak. Through this insight into Tisha B'Av we are introduced to a basic concept in chasidic philosophy, which teaches that the greatest ascent comes after the greatest descent. Let us use the time properly and bring about the greatest ascent, the revelation of Moshiach and the Final Redemption, NOW. *************************** * SOME LAWS OF TISHA B'AV * *************************** This Shabbat, August 5, is Tisha B'Av. Because it is also Shabbat, the fast usually commemorated on this date is postponed until the next day, and we neither eat nor drink, from Saturday, Aug. 5, at Sundown, [2] until Sunday, Aug. 6, at nightfall. [3] On Tisha B'Av we do not wash, wear leather shoes, or have marital relations. The Book of Lamentations [4] is read sitting on a low stool as used in mourning. To learn more about Tisha B'Av, and the laws pertaining to it, contact your local rabbi or Chabad-Lubavitch Center. For a listing of the centers in your area, call: 1-800-Lubavitch (1-800-582-2848). ------------------------ 2. In New York City, at 8:03 p.m. 3. In New York City, at 8:46 p.m. 4. Authored by the prophet Yirmiyahu (Jeremiah). He lived at the time of the destruction of the First Temple in the year 3338. He was born into a family of kohanim, and was the son of the Prophet and High Priest, Hilkiah. He foresaw the destruction of Jerusalem and the Holy Temple and exhorted the Jews to return to G-d. After the destruction he authored the Book of Lamentations. He supported the Jewish people in their misery, strengthening them and encouraging them to continue when it seemed impossible to go on. *************************** * TO ADD IN AHAVAT CHINAM * *************************** Since we are still in exile, although we await every moment the imminent arrival of Moshiach, we would do well to try and "fix" the transgression for which the Second Holy Temple was destroyed, namely, causeless hatred among Jews. Hatred and divisiveness are equal to the sins of idolatry, adultery and murder, for which the First Temple was destroyed. This can be accomplished through Ahavat Chinam, "baseless" love of a fellow Jew. In practical terms, it means being good, kind, and nice to another person--"just because." Try smiling at someone and see how his face lights up. Hold the elevator, even if you're in a rush. Are those extra 5 seconds you're "wasting" really going to make or break your day? Think or say something positive about another person. Call an elderly relative to ask her how she's doing. Say yes the next time someone asks you to do him a favor. Make a point of trying to practice "baseless" love on Tisha B'Av, the day on which the spiritual energy to bring the ultimate Redemption is even stronger. And remember that simple acts of goodness and kindness can and will undo the damage done by baseless hatred and ultimately hasten the Redemption. ***************************** * THE PURPOSE OF A FAST DAY * ***************************** What is the purpose of a fast? Fasting brings one to repentance. It is also, according to Rabbi Shneur Zalman, founder of Chabad Chasidism, the path by which we can weaken and even eradicate our desires and impulses toward that which is not good and proper. Fasting, however, significantly weakens the body, making it difficult to do even that which we *are* supposed to do. The Baal Shem Tov recognized that our bodies are not as strong as they were in times of old. He encouraged his followers *not* to abstain totally from eating or mortify their bodies. Rather, he broadened the term of fasting to include *refraining* from a "craving." By holding ourselves back from gossiping or speaking ill of another person, for instance, we are "fasting." We are abstaining from a negative aspect of communication and are also training ourselves not to continue this bad habit. If you are one who yells a lot, talking softly may be your form of "fasting." If you are very impatient by nature, taking the time to count to ten before blowing up (and then not blowing up) is an effective fast for you. When Rabbi Shneur Zalman stated that fasting is the method by which we can eradicate our bad traits, it was the Baal Shem Tov's definition of fasting that he encouraged. This, of course, relates only to times that one wished to take upon himself a "personal fast." However, the public fast days, defined by the Torah or our Sages, are fast days in the traditional sense. They are days when we abstain totally from all forms of food and drink. May we be privileged to celebrate the Ninth of Av all together in the holy city of Jerusalem, may it speedily be rebuilt, NOW. *********************************** * TISHA B'AV HAS TWO SIDES TO IT! * *********************************** Tisha B'Av is the darkest day on the Jewish calendar, observed this year on Saturday night, Aug. 5, and Sunday, Aug. 6. Though Tisha B'Av is a day of intense mourning for the destruction of the Temples and Jerusalem, there are actually five tragedies that we commemorate on this day: 1) The generation of Jews who had left Egypt were prohibited from entering the Holy Land; 2) The First Temple was destroyed; 3) The Second Temple was destroyed; 4) Betar, the last fortress to hold out against the Romans, fell; 5) A year after the fall of Betar the Temple area was plowed under. Today, the saddest thing about Tisha B'Av is that many people do not know about it or care to observe it. We don't know what we're missing. Unfortunately, we are split and divided, suffering from the same senseless hatred that caused the tragedy of Tisha B'Av. Tisha B'Av climaxes three weeks of mourning, beginning with the fast of the Seventeenth of Tamuz. During the nine days preceding Tisha B'Av, we abstain from eating meat and drinking wine except on Shabbat and for a Seudas Mitzvah (meal associated with a mitzvah such as a bris, or upon completing the study of a tractate of the Talmud), and refrain from taking a full bath. On Tisha B'Av we fast, do not wash, wear leather shoes, or have marital relations. The Book of Lamentations is read, sitting on a low stool as used in mourning. But there is another side to Tisha B'Av. The Talmud tells the story of Rabbi Akiva and the Sages tearing their garments in mourning upon seeing Jerusalem in ruins. Their anguish increased upon seeing a fox strolling where the Holy Ark once stood. The Sages burst into tears, but Rabbi Akiva laughed. The Sages were shocked. "How can you laugh when animals desecrate our Holy of Holies?" Said Rabbi Akiva: "The Torah connects the fall and rise of Jerusalem. Zechariah the prophet predicted that 'Zion will be plowed under,' while Uria the prophet foresaw 'elderly men and women relaxing in the streets of Jerusalem with small children happily playing nearby'. . . . Now that the negative has actually come to pass, the good prophecies will truly be fulfilled!" The Sages conceded, saying: "Akiva, you have comforted us!" Tisha B'Av is negative--but once we have the negative, it takes only time and effort to develop it into a positive and see the full picture in the words of Zechariah (8:19): "These very days of sorrow and fasting will turn into days of joy and feasting for the House of Israel." Tisha B'Av expresses strength rather than weakness. Other nations celebrate only their red-letter days and triumphs, yet we have the strength to dedicate a day to our tragedy, and that is the secret of our long survival that enables Israel to out live the greatest empires that have long since vanished. Tisha B'Av directs us to positive, constructive action of rebuilding through Torah and charity. It is a Sefardic custom to rise on Tisha B'Av afternoon and clean the house, showing our renewed faith and hope. On the positive side, some sources say that Tisha B'Av is the birthday of the righteous Moshiach, bringing about the potential for a most important Jewish principle: "I believe with complete faith in the arrival of the Moshiach. And though he may tarry, I shall wait each day, anticipating his arrival" (Maimonides, Principles of the Faith, No. 12). Last but not least, we conclude the Lamentations on a high positive note as we loudly declare: "Return to us, O G-d, and we will return to You; renew our days as once before!" ******************************** * SEASON OF THE BEIS HAMIKDASH * ******************************** When is the "season" of the Beis HaMikdash? Eating matzah has a season, blessing the esrog has a season, hearing the megilah, lighting the menorah, etc. All of these mitzvot have a "season." When is the season of the Beis HaMikdash? The answer is that there is no specific season; every day is the season. Yet, if we have to pick one day of the year that would be the closest to the "season" of the Beis HaMikdash it would be Tisha B'Av. Tisha B'Av, is when we pay our fullest attention to the Holy Temple. That's when we are free from any other occupations; we dedicate our time solely to remembering the Beis HaMikdash. And as we sit on the floor with the kinot--elegies--in our hands it is perhaps the proper moment to reflect, not only about the destruction of the Temple, but about the rebuilding of the Temple as well. Rebuilding the Beis HaMikdash is up to every person. Suppose for a moment that every mitzvah is a brick in the Beis HaMikdash and that by doing another mitzvah we are adding another brick. How much would that entice us to do more! And perhaps, indeed, this is more than a parable, it is a reality. Over the years, we have laid millions of bricks. We are now, the Rebbe tells us, laying the very, very last few bricks needed to build the most beautiful edifice in the heavenly skies. Let us "chop arein" (seize the moment) before Moshiach comes, and make sure that we are in on the building of the Beis HaMikdash. When it is built, we will be able to point our finger at this great edifice with pride and deserved joy, and say, "I had a hand in building it." ============================================================= = End of Text: "Living With Moshiach" Parshat Devarim, 5755 = =============================================================