An original, fascinating portrayal of the simchah in the Beis Hamikdash during the Yom Tov of Sukkos

Many years ago, when the Beis Hamikdash was standing, there was a great celebration in Yerushalayim. It was called the simchas beis hasho’evah. The joy then was so great that Chazal teach us that anyone who did not see the simchas beis hasho’evah never saw true joy in his life! Perhaps you want to reply that today there are also simchos beis hasho’evah celebrations in almost every shul, and you’ve participated in many such events. But truth be told, the simchah that we have today is not the same — only a commemoration of the real simchas beis hasho’evah, which took place in the Beis Hamikdash and from which people drew purity and ruach hakodesh, and were uplifted for the entire year!

Halevai, we should merit to see that wondrous simchas beis hasho’evah even once!

Halevai we should merit it speedily in our days, in the third Beis Hamikdash that will come down from the Heavens in fire!

But in the meantime, let us try to imagine how the simchah would look, and how preparations for the entire Yom Tov of Sukkos would take place in Yerushalayim, if the Beis Hamikdash were standing today. This book can help a little bit to illustrate this wonderful scene, to try and help us feel a bit of the atmosphere of the true, tangible simchah that was apparent in every corner of the holy city.

Perhaps, if we truly understand the magnitude of the loss, we will know how to daven properly before our Father in Heaven to return the Beis Hamikdash and the Holy City to us, speedily in our days. And who knows? Perhaps this year, we will merit celebrating Sukkos in the newly rebuilt Beis Hamikdash!!!

By M. Safra