Building the Edifice of Torah
I once needed the help of two yeshiva boys from our yeshiva in Lyon. When I entered the Beit Hamidrash to call them, I found them deeply immersed in the sea of Torah. I was loath to interrupt their study session. On the other hand, I needed their help. I did not know what to do.
I finally decided not to interrupt their studies, and I waited until they ended their learning.
As if in support of my decision, I remembered the words of the Rambam, in Hilchot Beit Habechirah (1:12): “All are obligated to assist in the building of the Beit Hamikdash, men and women alike. But young children are not taken away from their Torah studies in order to build the Beit Hamikdash.”
This means that when Am Yisrael will begin to build the third Beit Hamikdash, everyone will join, but the children will remain studying Torah.
This is quite astounding. Am Yisrael has waited so many years for the rebuilding of the Beit Hamikdash, the place where the Shechinah will once again rest. Wouldn’t it seem sensible that all activities grind to a halt, including Torah study? Why do we rule according to the Rambam, that the young children remain studying Torah?
The answer can be found in the Gemara (Shabbat 119b), which states, “Reish Lakish said in the name of Rabbi Yehudah Nesia, ‘The world stands only in the merit of the Torah studies of the young children… One cannot compare the Torah study of one who has already sinned, to that of one who is free of sin.’”
Hashem cherishes the Torah study of the young children. They have not sinned and, therefore, never created a barrier between themselves and their Creator. Thus, their prayers are most effective. Whatever issues from their mouths is pure and is accepted by Hashem.
For this reason, they may not be disturbed in their Torah studies. Although the entire world may be involved in building the Beit Hamikdash, they are busy building up the world.
