How does the city sit
solitary, that was full of people! How is she become like a widow!
She that was
great among the nations, and princess among the provinces, how is she a vassel!
She weeps sore into the night, and her tears are on her cheeks; among all her
lovers she has none to comfort her; all her friends have dealt treacherously with
her, they have become enemies.
Judah is gone into exile because of affliction,
and because of great servitude; she dwells among the nations, she finds no rest;
all the persecutors overtook her within the straits. – Opening verses of Eicha. Translation courtesy the Koren Kinos Mesores HaRav.
The Bayis Sheni (Second Temple) was destroyed some 2000 years ago. Sinas Chinam - baseless hatred which caused its destruction - now seems greater than ever! While on this day, we all mourn the destruction of both the first and second Temples in Jerusalem, we await the re-building of the third. Sometimes I wonder: Will we ever deserve getting it back?
