Tisha B'Av: The Hidden Cause of the Temple's Destruction and the Power of Torah Study

We never thought it would happen again, but here we are.

No, I am not referring to another wave of COVID. I am talking about Tisha B'Av.

The events of this past year seemed to hint that our generation was worthy of redemption, yet the Messiah has still not come. We continue to believe with complete faith: "For the vision is yet for the appointed time. It hastens toward its end and will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it, for it will surely come and will not delay" (Habakkuk 2:3).

Yet despite our hope, we are still mourning the destruction of the Temple.

Perhaps it is time for an honest spiritual accounting.

Every Generation Bears Responsibility

The Sages teach: "Every generation in which the Temple is not rebuilt is considered as though it had destroyed it" (Jerusalem Talmud, Yoma 1:1).

In other words, if the Temple has still not been rebuilt, it is because our actions would have brought about its destruction had it stood in our days. Therefore, every generation that fails to merit its rebuilding is regarded as though it participated in its destruction.

And yet, I am certain that if I were to accuse our generation by saying, "We destroyed the Temple through our own actions," many people would react with hostility.

"We destroyed the Temple?"

Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the First Temple, and Titus destroyed the Second. What do our actions have to do with events that took place thousands of years ago?

In truth, even the generation that witnessed the Temple's destruction did not fully understand why it happened.

The prophet Jeremiah describes the confusion during the destruction of the First Temple: "Who is the wise man who can understand this?... Why has the land been destroyed?... And the Lord said: Because they have forsaken My Torah" (Jeremiah 9:11–12).

The Sages explain these verses: "This question was asked of the sages and the prophets, but none of them could explain it until God Himself revealed the answer... because they did not recite the blessing over the Torah before studying it" (Nedarim 81a).

Had God not revealed the true reason, no one would have understood what had ultimately triggered the destruction.

But this raises an obvious question.

The Talmud teaches that the First Temple was destroyed because the people committed the three gravest sins: idolatry, sexual immorality, and murder (Yoma 9b). If so, why did God explain that the destruction came because they failed to recite the blessing before studying Torah?

And why was no one able to identify this reason except God Himself?

The King's Violinist

There was once a gifted violinist who was appointed to one of the highest positions in the kingdom: personal musician to the king.

The king was burdened with the affairs of state, and his advisers suggested hiring a talented musician whose melodies would soothe his spirit and ease the weight of leadership.

The plan worked beautifully. The violinist's music touched the king's soul, calming his anxieties and restoring clarity to his judgment.

Then one day the kingdom was shaken. 

The royal violinist was caught committing a serious crime. He was brought before the king for judgment, and according to the law, his sentence was death.

"I need this violinist," the king told his advisers. "Since he arrived at the palace, his music has brought peace to my mind and helped me govern wisely. I cannot execute him. His life is essential to the welfare of the kingdom."

The king granted him a pardon.

No one was happier than the fortunate musician. He touched his neck in disbelief, grateful that the executioner's rope had not been placed around it.

Realizing how indispensable he had become, the violinist grew arrogant. He continued violating the law, confident that the king would overlook his offenses.

And the king did.

Then one bitter winter day, a fierce snowstorm swept through the streets.

The violinist slipped on the ice, severely injured his back, and lay helpless in the freezing cold until someone finally found him. He suffered devastating frostbite, and the doctors were forced to amputate several of his fingers.

When he came to the palace to apologize that he would never be able to play again, the king immediately ordered his servants to hang him.

"What have I done?" the violinist cried. "This accident was not my fault!"

The king replied, "You deserved death long ago because of your crimes. I spared you only because your music was precious to me. Now that you can no longer play, the pardon no longer applies, and the sentence that was delayed must finally be carried out."

Torah Was Their Protection

The true cause of the Temple's destruction was indeed the generation's guilt in committing the three cardinal sins: idolatry, sexual immorality, and murder.

Yet until the destruction, they enjoyed a measure of protection.

Despite their sins, they had not abandoned Torah study. They continued learning with love and devotion, and that Torah served as a shield that delayed the punishment they deserved.

Just as the king spared the wayward musician because of the beauty of his music, so too God had compassion upon His children. They deserved punishment, but the sweetness of their Torah learning brought Him delight, and He withheld judgment.

Then something changed.

They began treating Torah study with indifference.

The Ran explains (Nedarim 81a) that they did continue learning Torah, but "the Torah was not sufficiently precious in their eyes to warrant reciting a blessing before studying it. They did not study for its own sake, and therefore they neglected its blessing."

Once they no longer valued Torah properly, their learning no longer brought delight before God, and the protection disappeared.

Only then did the decree for their grave sins take effect. The Temple was destroyed, and the nation was exiled (cited in the name of Rabbi Yaakov Galinsky).

The Lesson for Our Generation

Like that generation, we may not recognize the true seriousness of our own spiritual shortcomings, the very shortcomings that would prevent the Temple from standing if it were rebuilt in our time.

Yet there is something that can obtain mercy for us, soften harsh decrees, help us correct our ways, and hasten the redemption.

You have probably guessed what it is.

The answer is Torah study.

The more we recognize its immeasurable value, the more we will devote ourselves to it. Through Torah, our character is refined, our actions are purified, and we draw closer to the complete redemption.

Building a Sanctuary Within

Although the Temple was destroyed and the Divine Presence has been in exile ever since, we still have the ability to prepare a dwelling place for the Shechinah.

The Alshich (Exodus 25:8) teaches that every individual is commanded to prepare his or her own heart as a sanctuary for God's Presence.

This is accomplished through the study of His holy Torah.