Critical Mass for Rebuilding Jerusalem

Our Sages taught us that the Second Temple was destroyed because of “baseless hatred” among the Jews. Rabbi Kook taught us that Jerusalem will be rebuilt when we achieve the antidote, “baseless love,” that is, loving one another simply because we are all brothers and sisters.

Malbim has a detailed and systematic introduction to the Tabernacle and its vessels. Malbim explains that the divine will is for man to bring the Shechina down to earth which requires great spiritual power. Our forefathers began the process, but we do not have the requisite spiritual strength because each of us possesses but a spark of spiritual energy. But just as combining ten candles yields ten times the light of a single candle, so too combining the sparks of spiritual energy yields a much greater level of spiritual energy. Thus, our Sages commented that the Shechina cannot rest on fewer than 22,000 Jews. In their divinely inspired wisdom, our Sages understood that 22,000 is the critical mass.

This point is reflected in the Halacha as well. When ten adult Jews say the grace after meals together, the zimun adds the words nevarech l’Eloheinu. When one hundred Jews say the Grace, the wording is changed, as it is if ten thousand join together for the Grace. The Halacha reflects the fact that the more Jews who are gathered together, the higher the level of spiritual energy. Therefore, the Tabernacle could be built in the desert because there were six-hundred thousand Jews. As Malbim states: “when six hundred thousand souls gather and unite and kindle six hundred thousand (spiritual) candles, this number includes all the spiritual light and splendor which can be found. Then it is possible to bring the Divine down (to Earth) in all its glory, grandeur and magnificence.”

Malbim’s comments allow us to understand why “baseless hatred” was the source of the destruction. Once there was hatred among the Jewish People, there was disunity. Hence, we no longer maintained the necessary aggregate spiritual power to keep the Shechina among us, and the Temple’s destruction became inevitable.

This Shabbat begins the series of seven Shabbatot leading up to Rosh haShana which is known as “Sheva d’Nechemta,” the seven Shabbatot of comfort. We have the right to take comfort if we are striving towards achieving Jewish unity and thereby doing our part to hasten the rebuilding of the Temple.