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M’lochim 1 5:26
This week’s haftorah
teaches us an important perspective about the Holy Temple and our
synagogue. The haftorah opens with a detailed account of Shlomo Hamelech’s
construction of the Bais Hamikdash. He engaged nearly two hundred thousand
workers in hewing and transporting scarce heavy stones for the Bais
Hamikdash’s foundation. He built its exterior walls from perfectly hewed
stones from the quarry that did not require any cutting or planing. He
enhanced the basic structure with numerous chambers, annexes and winding staircases
and paneled the entire structure with impressive cedar wood.
In the midst of this
heavy construction Hashem sent Shlomo Hamelech a prophetic message and
stated, “(Regarding) The house you are building, if you walk in My statues,
adhere to My laws and guard all My mitzvos …. I will dwell amongst the
Jewish people and not forsake My nation, Israel.” (M’lochim I 6:12,13)
Hashem told Shlomo Hamelech at the outset that the expressed purpose for
all his labor was to create an earthly abode for Hashem. The impressive
architectural structures, jewel studded walls and gold trimmings would not
secure this objective. The sole factor in this would be guarding Hashem’s
statutes and carefully adhering to all His mitzvos. Hashem declared that
the entire value of this magnificent edifice depended upon the Jewish
people. If they sincerely desired to unite with Him they would merit His
Divine Presence. Hashem pledged to remain amongst them as long as they
displayed true desire to be with Him.
Malbim notes the
juxtaposition of this prophecy in the midst of the construction. Scriptures
indicate that Shlomo received this prophecy upon completing the Bais
Hamikdash’s exterior before beginning its interior. Malbim sees this moment
as a transitional point in the building process, a time most appropriate
for this prophecy. We can appreciate Hashem’s timely message through
S’forno’s insightful comment about the Sanctuary and the Holy Temple.
The Sages inform us
that the actual Sanctuary remained perfectly intact and never fell into
foreign hands. When King Yoshiyahu foresaw the Jewish nation’s exile he
secretly buried the Holy Ark, the Sanctuary and many of its holy vessels in
a cave below Yerushalyim for preservation. The first Holy Temple did not
merit such fortune and aside from suffering much deterioration ultimately
fell into wicked Babylonian hands who leveled the entire magnificent
edifice. This digression continued and the second Temple did not even merit
to house Hashem’s intense Divine Presence within its walls.
S’forno informs us
the reason for such contrasting experiences with these sacred structures.
He sees the key factor in this as the pious nature of individuals involved
in erecting these structures. The Sanctuary was built by pious, devout
individuals totally focused on creating an earthly abode for Hashem. Moshe
Rabbeinu oversaw the entire construction devoting himself to the perfect
fulillment of every detail. Hashem’s devout Levites had a major hand in the
construction under the leadership of Ahron Hakohain’s son, Isamar. The
project’s contractor was Betzalel gifted with sacred insights to the
Heavenly process of creation. The holy structure they constructed did not
allow for deterioration or destruction and demanded eternal preservation.
Conversely, the first
Temple’s construction shared only some of these experiences. Although the
pious Shlomo Hamelech oversaw its construction his massive undertaking
included multitudes of skilled craftsmen from Tyre. These foreign workers
did not relate to spirituality value and failed to dedicate their every act
towards that end. Although Hashem rested His intense presence in the first
Temple this sacred edifice was not spared from deterioration and
destruction. The second Temple was not even overseen by devout, pious individuals.
Hashem’s Levites were not involved in its construction and the bulk its
workers were of foreign decent. In fact, the second Temple did not even
merit the return of the holy Ark and Hashem’s Divine Presence was not
intensely sensed within its walls. (S’forno S’hmos 38:21)
In light of the above
we appreciate Hashem’s timely message to Shlomo Hamelech. After
successfully completing the exterior Shlomo set his focus on the interior
of the Bais Hamikdash. At that exact moment Hashem reminded Shlomo of the interior’s
exclusive purpose. Hashem desired to secure the Temple for as long as
possible and chose this exact moment to inspire Shlomo towards its
spiritual direction. This impressive structure was to serve as Hashem’s
earthly abode provided His people display true desire to unite with Him.
After Shlomo received his charge he immediately focused on the project’s
Divine dimensions and dedicated every detail of the interior to Hashem.
Shlomo hoped to create through this Hashem’s permanent earthly abode. Although
other factors interfered with Shlomo’s noble goal, his efforts were
fruitful. Unlike the second Bais Hamikdash, Shlomo’s Bais Hamikdash merited
Hashem’s intense presence for four hundred and ten years. The awesomeness
of this experience is best expressed through the Vilna Gaon’s classic
reflection. He once commented that he could not even fathom the spiritual
capacity of the ordinary Jew of those times who merited to enter the Bais
Hamikdash and stand in Hashem’s sacred presence.
This lesson in
construction and devotion equally applies to our miniature Bais Hamikdash,
our synagogue. HaRav Chaim of Volozhin shared with us the potential
sanctity of our synagogue. He said, “Imagine what would result in one
devoted his thoughts when chopping the wood for the handle of the ax used
to chop the wood for the walls of a synagogue. If every detail of
construction was devoted towards housing Hashem’s Divine presence the
following result would undoubtedly result. The sanctity within its walls
would be so intense that it would be virtually impossible to engage there
in idle chatter. Indeed, even our present day synagogue has potential for
true sanctity. When we construct a house for Hashem totally for His sake it
will also merit everlasting spiritual status. Although majestic interior
contributes to the beauty of our Bais Haknesses its endurance and spiritual
capacity does not stem from this. The singular factor is our focus on the
Divine Presence residing therein. When we construct our miniature Temple in
this manner it will undoubtedly merit intense degrees of sanctity and
forever remain the home of Hashem.
Although such
conditions are difficult to meet in full we can do our part to preserve the
sanctity of our sacred synagogues. Even in our times Hashem desires to rest
amongst His people. Our humble synagogue can facilitate this goal when
shown its proper respect. If we pause before entering this sacred edifice
and contemplate who rests within its walls we would merit to sense, in some
way, His Divine presence. If we could devote sincere effort towards
preserving our synagogue’s sanctity we would be overwhelmed by Hashem’s
intense presence sensed therein. May we soon merit Hashem’s full return to
His people and may we be privileged to stand in His sacred presence forever.
Text Copyright © 2002
Rabbi Dovid Siegel and Project Genesis, Inc.
The author is Rosh Kollel of Kollel Toras Chaim of Kiryat Sefer, Israel.
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