לזכות לאה אסתר בת פרימט
We are accustomed to thinking in the box. Learning Torah teaches us to think out of the box.
When someone dies, we assume that just as they were dead yesterday, they should also be dead today. So we relate to the reality with equanimity. But that is not the case. How are we alive? Are we alive this second because we were alive a second ago? No. We know from many sources that EVERY SECOND Hashem is giving us new life - המחדש בטובו בכל יום תמיד מעשה בראשית. So in the same way we are receiving new life every second, a person whose life ended one moment ago can easily receive new life this moment. Why doesn't he? Because EVERY SECOND there is a decree that at that for that second this person should not have life.
The ramification: The Beis Hamikdash was destroyed two thousand years ago. But that destruction in no way necessitates a continued destruction. At every moment it could be rebuilt. If it isn't, that means that we are destroying this potential for rebuilding every moment due to the divisiveness among us [and other sins of commission or ommision]. The same sinas chinam that destroyed the Beis Hamikdash back then, continues to destroy it even today. That is the meaning of the Yerushalmi that says that every generation in which the Beis Hamikdash is not rebuilt it is as if it was destroyed.
Another ramification: Chazal say that the death of Tzadikim atones for our sins. It is not just the moment of death that atones but every moment that they are not with us is also part of the atonement. The more we feel their loss and focus on their absence the greater the atonement we have. So just because Moshe Rabbeinu, Yehoshua, Shmuel Hanavi, Dovid Hamelech, Rebbe Akiva, Rebbi Shimon Bar Yochai, Abaye, Rava, Rambam, Maharal, the Chofetz Chaim etc. etc. all died a long time ago, that doesn't mean that we shouldn't be able to enjoy their light and presence today. If we don't, then it is a great punishment, source of pain and thus - atonement.
The past in no way determines the present. Hashem is not bound by nature or anything else. That also means that just because you have a problem this second that doesn't mean that you have to have the same problem the next second. Every moment brings new opportunities and possibilities.
An amazing idea!
[עי' בזה בס' רזי לי י"ז מעמ' קי"ז ותראה נפלאות]
