Jerusalem in Her Joy
Our Sages teach (Ta'anis 30), "Whoever mourns for Jerusalem merits to see Jerusalem in her joy."
It is interesting to note that the Sages did not say, "will merit to see Jerusalem in her joy" i.e., in the future. Instead they said, "merits to see Jerusalem in her joy" i.e., in the present. Through this nuance in tense, the Sages reveal a precious secret. When a person mourns over the destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem, and sheds tears over the loss of holiness, he comes to understand the incomparable preciousness of the Temple, the dwelling place of HaShem. His soul longs for the holiness and light of the Temple and the Holy Shechinah. His very yearning for the Shechinah, grants him the merit to experience a glimpse of the glory of the ancient holiness. In light of this our Sages state, ""Whoever mourns for Jerusalem merits to see Jerusalem in her joy."
Lesson: Our very mourning over the destruction of the Temple and sadness over the exile of the Shechinah, awakens a deep yearning in our hearts for the holiness of HaShem. When HaShem sees our longing to be close to Him, He grants us a glimpse of His holiness, purity, and light.
Visualization: Envision the Temple standing in Jerusalem. See the golden Menorah and its flames of light, hear the Levites singing joyous songs of praise to HaShem, and sense the awe when the Kohen enters the Holy of Holies on Yom Kippur. Long for the Temple and holy Shechinah -- and experience Jerusalem in her joy. (Based on )
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