The Lasting Impact of the Second Temple's Destruction on the Jewish People

The Fall of the Second Temple

In the year 70 CE, on the 9th of Av, the Second Temple was destroyed by the Romans, marking one of the greatest tragedies for the Jewish people, the consequences of which still echo today. Under the command of the infamous Titus, hundreds of thousands of Jews were killed while many others were taken into slavery. The Roman slave markets were so inundated with Jewish captives that the price of a Jewish slave fell below that of a workhorse. The Jewish nation was left in despair.

The destruction was further solidified when the wicked Tornosrufus plowed over the temple site on the 9th of Av, 3828 in the Jewish calendar.

For nearly two thousand years, the Jewish people have mourned the loss of the Temple through four yearly fasts and other mourning traditions. Why such extended grief for what happened so long ago? And will there ever be an end to this mourning with the building of the Third Temple?

Causes of the Destruction

Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai, who lived during the time of the destruction, attributed the calamity to the lack of peace among the Jewish people. In the Yalkut Shimoni on Exodus, it's noted: "Whole stones should build the altar, stones that promote peace between Israel and their Father in heaven. If stones that do not see, hear, or speak still foster peace, how much more should individuals promote peace to avoid calamity."

The sages emphasized internal division among Jews as a primary cause of the Temple’s fall. In the Talmud, Yoma 9b notes that despite the Jews engaging in Torah study, mitzvot, and acts of kindness during the Second Temple era, it was destroyed due to baseless hatred.

Historian Josephus also noted that internal strife among the Jews was more damaging than the strength of Roman forces. The story of Kamsa and Bar Kamsa exemplifies this hatred, leading the sages to assert, "Jerusalem was destroyed because of Kamsa and Bar Kamsa."

In light of this great destruction - a must-see video with Charlie Harari:

Continuing Jewish Life in Yavneh

After the Temple’s destruction, Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai established the Sanhedrin in Yavneh and instituted ordinances to memorialize the Temple, maintaining the hope for its reconstruction and thereby filling the spiritual void left by its loss.

He taught that acts of kindness and prayer could substitute for sacrifices. It is recorded (Avot d'Rabbi Natan 4:5) that once, as Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai left Jerusalem, Rabbi Yehoshua followed him and, seeing the Temple in ruins, lamented, "Woe to us that it is destroyed!" Yochanan reassured him: "My son, do not fear. We have another atonement as great as this, and what is that? It is acts of loving-kindness, as it is written: 'For I desire mercy and not sacrifice.'" The charitable acts he engaged in included preparing and celebrating with brides, attending to the deceased, giving to the poor, and praying three times daily, with all prayers accepted.

Traditions and customs commemorating the Temple's destruction. Watch:

Bar Kochba Revolt and the Fall of Betar

Despite the horrific outcomes of the Great Revolt, Jews continued to rise against their oppressors. The Bar Kochba Revolt, starting in 132 CE, was among the few large-scale uprisings against the Romans. Jewish sources estimate Bar Kochba’s forces at approximately 100,000 troops. The Talmud in Gittin describes the tragedy that occurred in Betar: "The Romans surrounded Betar... and a massacre ensued. For years, they harvested their vineyards without the need for manure due to the amount of Jewish blood." Betar fell on the 9th of Av, 135 CE.

The Romans sought to eliminate Jewish presence in Jerusalem, renaming it "Aelia Capitolina" and transforming Israel into "Palestina".

The Persistent Consequences of the Destruction

We continue to live under the shadow of the Second Temple’s destruction, facing both spiritual and physical ramifications. Until we rectify the sin of baseless hatred, redemption remains elusive.

During the turmoil following the Temple’s destruction, rabbis made an unprecedented decision to record the Oral Torah. In 219 CE, Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi compiled the Mishnah.

In 312 CE, Christianity was established.

In 638 CE, Muslims captured Jerusalem, rescuing the ancient Jewish community from Christian control.

The era of Rashi began in 1040, followed by the Tosafists.

The horrors of the Crusades commenced in 1096, with crusaders seeking to "liberate" the Holy Land from the "infidels." Woe to the unlucky Jew in their path.

At that time, Spain became a haven, "a land of limitless possibilities" for the Jews.

The first blood libel emerged in 1144, an irrational claim by Christians that Jews ritualistically murdered Christian children for their blood.

The Inquisition began in 1478, triggered by suspicions that converted Jews secretly maintained Jewish practices.

The expulsion from Spain occurred on the 9th of Av, 1492, coinciding with Columbus's discovery of America.

The era of the Arizal and the Kabbalists of Tzfat began in 1570.

In 1567, Polish Prince Bolesław invited Jews to settle in Poland, offering unprecedented rights and privileges.

In 1654, the first Jews arrived in America, gaining immense wealth but losing their spiritual heritage.

The Hasidic movement was founded in 1698.

The Vilna Gaon lived in 1772.

The Enlightenment in Europe began in 1791, coinciding with worsening conditions for Jews in Russia, who faced cantonal edicts and pogroms meant to divert attention from the corrupt Czarist regime.

The Reform movement started in Europe around 1810. It exposed the church’s corruption and led to Protestantism's emergence. For Jews, it brought challenges, with German Jews asserting "We are Germans of the Mosaic faith," distancing themselves from broader Jewish identity.

Why is the Reform movement considered dangerous to Judaism?

The Conservative movement was established in the United States in 1887.

The Dreyfus Affair erupted in France in 1894, underscoring persistent antisemitism even in "civilized" nations like France and the USA.

In 1917, the British Mandate in Palestine began, soon leading to the creation of Transjordan on the river's eastern bank.

In 1933, Hitler rose to power, culminating in the Holocaust, where six million Jews were murdered. As the Nazis continued their genocide, the world turned a blind eye and closed its doors to Jewish refugees. Hitler's singular goal was to eradicate the Jews.

The British pledged to support the establishment of a Jewish state but prioritized their interests, collaborating with Arabs while millions of Jews perished in Nazi Europe.

The rebirth of the State of Israel in 1948 is an unparalleled event in human history. Since its founding, Israel has faced constant warfare, with numerous conflicts fought on its soil.

The Second Temple was destroyed due to baseless hatred, and until now, it has not been rebuilt. We must all strengthen ourselves with acts of kindness. Watch Rabbi Zamir Cohen's insights on the connection to Gog and Magog:

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The Eve of the Messiah's Arrival

The greatest Jewish scholars foresaw the challenging times that would reign in the Holy Land at the end of exile. As recorded in Sotah 49b, "In the times before the Messiah, insolence will flourish; prices will soar. Grapevines will yield fruit, yet wine will be expensive. The government will turn to heresy, and there will be no rebuke. Assembly houses will be filled with immorality, the Galilee will be desolate, and people of means will wander without protection. Wisdom will decay, and the pious will be scorned. Truth will be absent, young will shame the old. Those who fear sin will be despised. Sons will disgrace fathers, daughters rise against mothers, brides against mothers-in-law. The enemies of a man will be those of his household. The face of the generation is like the face of a dog, and sons will not be ashamed before their fathers. Yet, on whom can we rely? Only on our Father in Heaven."

The mere survival of the Jewish people through recorded history is nothing short of a miracle. The fact that Israel exists as a nation today indicates the presence of a divine guide moving through history. By any historical measure, the Jewish people should have disappeared long ago.

The great lesson from Jewish history is that the more Jews stay connected to Judaism — through their lifestyle, education, etc. — the more likely their children and grandchildren will remain Jewish and not disappear into the annals of history. Observing commandments has preserved Jewish identity through generations, keeping them Jewish.

What process will the Jewish people undergo until the coming of the Messiah? How will we know we've reached the last exile? Rabbi Zamir Cohen gives a fundamental and fascinating lecture on historical prophecies fulfilled and future redemption prophecies. Don't miss it:

According to the holy prophets, when the Messiah arrives, the Third Temple will be built, bringing peace to the world. The belief in the coming of the Messiah is included in Maimonides' thirteen principles of faith, binding every Jew to believe. According to Rashi in the Talmud, Sukkah 41a, the third temple is pre-constructed and will descend from heaven, as it is stated, "The sanctuary that your hands, O Hashem, have established." However, Maimonides asserts in his laws of Kings that the Messiah himself will build the Third Temple.

In 'Tana Devei Eliyahu Rabbah,' it is written: "The final sanctuary that Hashem will build swiftly and in our days it will not be brought down or be controlled by enemies ever again. Hashem will dwell in it forever." The Third Temple will rise when the Creator chooses. Numerous comforting words and prophecies in the Scriptures speak about complete redemption, the ingathering of the exiles, and the Temple as the heart of life once more.