יום ד Date: 24 Adar II, 5774 (3/26/14) – Sukkah#51 {Tani}

BEAUTIFUL SURROUNDINGS –

Gemarah [51b top]: Real beauty was the city of Jerusalem with the Beis Hamikdash (Holy Temple). Abaye/R’ Chisdah: This Temple was referring to the one revamped by Hordos. He built it with marble and beautiful stone, to project and reflect its majestic beauty.

T’s Lesson: Our Shuls (synagogues) are considered “Mikdashei Miat” (mini-Temples). By beautifying our Shuls, we are able to embody the Temple’s majesticness. Churches (L’havdil), are grand and magnificent in their height and architecture. But, most of our shuls are little sheitebelch (small run-down rooms) that look like holes in the wall. Why is this the case?
We should capture the ‘old energy’ and direct it into our modern day shuls. A building does not have to be huge to be beautiful, but it does need the proper upkeep, foundation, and materials. We could do our part to ensuring this through the contribution of funds, efforts, tzeddakah, and work.
Our tables that we eat on are also considered like a “mizbeach” (altar). This was a main integral part of the Temple. IF we ensure to have a proper home, where words of torah are spoken and lashon hora (evil speak) is refrained from, we also can partake of eating from a spiritual source, almost as if we were in the Temple offering sacrifices.