Tisha B’Av
As Heard From Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L
One of the chief functions of a person’s life is to gain ‘Daat.’ Daat is defined as: True knowledge, Awareness of Hashem, Sensory perception, A Torah mind. “How great is Dea (Daat) since it was placed in between two names of Hashem. Kel Deot Hashem.” (Berachot 33A) Acquiring ‘Daat’ is such a primary objective that it is mentioned by the Prophet (Samuel 1:2) while nestled between two names of G-d.
Our minds are Divinely given. In fact, Hashem created us in the image of G-d through the Neshama (soul) that He ‘blew’ into us. Our minds are infinitely capable and how we utilize this great opportunity will determine our level of success in this world and the next.
One way we can access the depths of our minds is through formulating pictures/sensory perception which activate deep impressions in our conscious and sub-conscious. It is one thing to read about how fire burns as compared to feeling the heat of fire thereby gaining real sensory perception. Shelomo Hamelech writes in Mishle (6:6). ” Go to the ant you lazy fellow And see its ways and gain wisdom…” Shelomo didn’t say to read about the ant but advises to Go and look at its ways. This is in order to teach us the importance of gaining Daat through our senses.
With this we can understand another reason for mourning the destruction of the Bet Hamikdash. Not only for Hashem’s Glory which is in exile and because of G-d’s Nation which was slaughtered and the loss of the Holy Service in the Temple including the gathering of the Jewish People to Jerusalem which produced a Santification of Hashem’s Name.
But we are also mourning for the loss of that great opportunity to gain physical Daat through seeing the Bet Hamikdash, G-d’s House, and witnessing all of the daily miracles and basking in the splendor.
Shabbat Shalom
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