Article published by Itón Gadol on August 7, 2024
On the 9th of the Hebrew month of Av, we primarily remember the destruction of the two Great Temples of Jerusalem. The first Great Temple was destroyed by the Babylonians, led by King Nebuchadnezzar II, in 422 BCE, while the second Great Temple was destroyed by the Romans, led by General and future Emperor Vespasian, in 68 CE. There are also two other tragic events in Jewish history associated with this date. The first during the time of Moses when the people of Israel wandered in the desert, following the negative report from the ten spies about the Land of Israel. It was decreed that that generation of Israelites would not enter the Land of Israel.The second when the Romans captured the city of Biter (popularly known as Betar) and destroyed it, as well as exterminated its inhabitants in 135 CE, after the failed Bar Kochba revolt.Further, the Romans razed the city of Jerusalem and transformed it into Aelia Capitolina, a pagan city, in 131 CE.
What do these tragedies have in common? What can we learn from them to avoid repeating the same mistakes and prevent something similar from happening again?
In these four tragedies, the common denominator is the presence of corrupt leaders: the ten spies were leaders of tribes who feared losing their positions of authority upon entering the Land of Israel; the last kings of Judah, Jehoiakim and Zedekiah, ignored the warnings of the prophet Jeremiah about the imminent destruction; the descendants of the Herodian dynasty had become corrupt and allied with the Romans; Bar Kochba presented himself as a messianic leader.
All these tragedies were caused by unscrupulous rulers, thirsty for power, more concerned with their personal interests than with the common good. Therefore, the way to counteract the negative effects of these tragedies is to focus on building a society based on the unity of good people, with leaders dedicated to the common good and rooted in mutual fraternity.
Instead of viewing others as enemies, adversaries, or threats, fostering polarization, disunity, and conflict, we must begin to see others as neighbors with unique individuality and richness, deserving of attention, promoting respect, unity, and solidarity. In this way, we can take a lesson from these tragedies and correct the mistakes that led to destruction. The day we see our neighbor as a partner in building a noble society, we will begin to truly rebuild the Great Temple of Jerusalem.
Source: Itón Gadol
