On Thursday night, July 10, Queens community members gathered at the Young Israel of Hillcrest to hear an inspiring shiur delivered by HaRav HaGaon Asher Weiss. The shiur was co-sponsored by Chazaq and the Young Israel of Hillcrest.

First, Rabbi Yaniv Meirov, of Congregation Charm Circle and founder and CEO of Chazaq, led everyone in reciting T’hilim. This was followed by a short address by Rabbi Etan Schnall, Rav of the Young Israel of Hillcrest.

Rabbi Schnall welcomed everyone and noted what a great z’chus it was to have Rabbi Asher Weiss in Queens. He related that Rabbi Weiss is a gadol, and a gadol soars above us all. He brings the highest levels of Torah to every Jew. “We are here to be inspired by a gadol b’Yisrael.”

Next, HaRav Asher Weiss spoke. He began, “These are days of sadness. We’re in the Nine Days.” He shared a teaching of Chazal that if the Beis HaMikdash is not rebuilt in our generation, it is as if we destroyed it. It is the responsibility of all of us. Why do we bear responsibility?

The Ramban taught that when we mourn, it is not only about lamenting the past, but also about taking responsibility. We are to blame. There is a disagreement among the Rishonim as to how the Beis HaMikdash will be rebuilt. The Ramban says that people will build it, while Rashi and Tosafos say that it will descend in fire from Heaven. If we deserve it, we will have one, and if we do not have one, Hashem did not find us worthy of having one. The Nine Days should be days of t’shuvah and reflection. We need to understand what caused the Churban.

The first Beis HaMikdash was destroyed because we did not say Birkas HaTorah. This does not mean that we did not recite the blessing. Rather, according to the Ramban, it means that we did not appreciate or understand what Torah means in the life of every individual, the life of a people, and the life of a community.

In Megillas Eichah, Yirmiyahu cries over his personal misfortune and the suffering of klal Yisrael during this painful period of history. The first 20 p’sukim express total despair. In pasuk 21, there is a change in tone. The Navi says, “I will take this to heart, and therefore I have hope.” These are p’sukim of emunah and bitachon. What do I take to heart that gives me strength? The answer is bitachon. “Zos” is Torah. Torah keeps us going during the darkest of days.

It was a lack of love for Torah that brought about the Churban. Therefore, our call is to strengthen Torah. “That is what gives us strength in the most difficult of times.” Rav Weiss taught that when we learn Torah, we always find chizuk.

He shared that when his father was 18 years old and was sent to Auschwitz, he discovered that the Klausenberger Rebbe was in the next bunker. His father wanted to be close to the Rebbe, so he asked the Rebbe to speak with him in learning. They spoke in learning together then, and continued doing so for the next 50 years.

When Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai met Vespasian, Vespasian said, “I am emperor. Tell me your wish.” Rav Yochanan asked for a way to guarantee the future of Torah. We must dedicate more energy and resources to teaching and spreading Torah.

According to the Gemara, the reason for the Churban of the Second Beis HaMikdash was sin’as chinam. The people were learning Torah and performing mitzvos. Sadly, this remains a tremendous challenge in our time. There is so much divisiveness and discord among our people.

Each of us needs to do as much as possible to bring more shalom and ahavah. “Don’t despair. Never lose hope. We are the people of hope, faith, Torah, and belief. Hashem loves all of us, and He wants all of us to love Him.”

The Beis HaMikdash will be rebuilt through ahavas chinam. Argumentation is part of our DNA, but hatred is not. Hatred is not legitimate. We need to learn to respect one another even when we have different opinions. Ahavas chinam means learning to love others who think differently.

The community is grateful for this beautiful and inspiring shiur, delivered to us by a gadol.

By Susie Garber