Part I

Kuntres

Shabbos Nachmu, 5750

(Sefer HaMaamarim Meluket IV, p. 333ff)

By the Grace of G-d

Shabbos Parshas Matos-Masei

Mevorchim HaChodesh Menachem-Av, 5722

“The glory of this latter House will be greater than the former.”1

There are two explanations to this verse.2 The simple meaning is3 that “this latter House” refers to the Second Beis HaMikdash, which surpassed the First Beis HaMikdash both in terms of size [it was larger] and time, [i.e., it lasted for a longer period].

The Zohar, however, states4 that “this latter House” refers to the Third Beis HaMikdash which will be built, speedily in our days. This Beis HaMikdash will be greater than the First and Sec­ond Batei HaMikdash, both of which are included in the term “the former.” For they both were temporary, and the Third Beis HaMikdash will endure forever.

This [interpretation relates] to a statement made by our sages [with regard to the Third Beis HaMikdash]:5

Unlike Avraham in connection with whom [the site of the Beis HaMikdash is referred to as] “a mountain,”6 nor like Yitzchak in connection with whom [it is referred to as] “a field,”7 rather as Yaakov, who referred to it as “a home.”8

For the First Beis HaMikdash is representative of Avraham; the Second Beis HaMikdash is linked to Yitzchak; while the Third Beis HaMikdash corresponds to Yaakov.9 As explained in Likkutei Torah,10 the Third Beis HaMikdash is associated with Yaakov, because the attribute of Yaakov is truth, and truth will never be interrupted11 or changed. [Similarly, the Third Beis HaMikdash will be an eternal structure.]