Photo Credit: Asher Schwartz
The Mitzvah of building the Beit Hamikdash is highlighted in this week’s parsha. In Sefer Hachinuch, at the conclusion of the mitzvah description, the focus is on the importance of most Jews residing in Eretz Yisrael for the building of the Beis Hamikdash. However, during the Second Beis Hamikdash period, most Jews were not in Eretz Yisrael.
Rav Yehoshua M’Kutna, a prominent figure in the 19th Century, provides an explanation in his Yeshuos Meshicho.
Masechet Chagigah mentions that the righteous will inherit the portion of the wicked in Gan Eden. This concept signifies that those who could have performed mitzvot but chose not to, lose their rights to the righteous. Similarly, those who could have made Aliyah during Ezra and Nechemiah’s time and did not, forfeited their rights. Therefore, the strength and merit of the majority of Israel were actually found in the minority who did come, leading to the construction of the second Temple.
Furthermore, Masechet Taanis discusses how the Mishmarot of the Kohanim who did not come to Eretz Yisrael had their rights taken by those who did immigrate.
This illustrates the importance of taking action and fulfilling responsibilities, especially in the context of rebuilding Israel.
Shabbat Shalom