Arch of Titus - Monthly Gedolim Story
The following story you are about to read was taken from Rabbi Paysach Krohns "Living Lessons" animated video series of stories, more specifically the "Chanukah" segment. Now despite being in the month of Tishrei and not yet Kislev, the message of the story applies all year round, especially after the awesome days of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur.
As the first entry in the third round of "Monthly Gedolim Stories", the Gadol this story features is Rav Yosef Shlomo Kahanamen zt'l, the Ponevezher Rav, whose visit to the titular Arch of Titus' is legendary.
I hope you will enjoy the story and understand its great message.
Be well,
Your Friend,
Yitzy Schweitzer
As the first entry in the third round of "Monthly Gedolim Stories", the Gadol this story features is Rav Yosef Shlomo Kahanamen zt'l, the Ponevezher Rav, whose visit to the titular Arch of Titus' is legendary.
I hope you will enjoy the story and understand its great message.
Be well,
Your Friend,
Yitzy Schweitzer
Arch of Titus - Monthly Gedolim Story
Rabbi Paysach Krohn was once visiting the city of Rome, Italy, on one of his tours to pre-war Europe, and he saw that there was an arch that is more than fifty feet tall. It is, of course The Arch of Titus. Titus was the Roman General responsible for the conquest of Yerushalayim and the destruction of the Second Beis Hamikdash.
Now, on the outside of the arch, near the top, there is an engraving that shows a very haunting and sad scene. The Yidden, broken and lost, carrying out the Menorah from the Beis Hamikdash as they left their land, Yerushalayim.
When Rabbi Krohn saw the arch he began to wonder, why Hashem allowed that arch to continue to stand for so many years, in almost perfect condition, while the rest of the city and its landmarks and tourist spots like the other arches, temples and courthouses, are falling apart and is in ruins. There are pillars of what most likely once where great pieces of architecture, but now they stand alone. There are stairs leading to doors with nothing to show behind it. Yet, this arch built for such a Rosha and nasty person remains, in almost perfect condition. Why?
Well, before he gives a beautiful answer, Rabbi Krohn shared the famed story of Rav Yosef Shlomo Kahanamen zt'l who visited the arch in 1953. When he arrived he looked towards the engraving of the Yidden carrying the Menorah, he pointed and cried out "Titus Titus! You thought you would get rid of us! You thought you'd destroyed Yerushalayim and that the Jewish People would be gone forever. Well, look at the world today! We, the Jewish People are all over! We are studying Torah and doing Mitzvos. But, where is the Roman Empire? It's gone! Not a shred of it remains! Titus, we defeated you!"
Indeed as Shlomo Hamelech writes in Mishlei "כי נר מצוה ותורה אור" - Mitzvos are like candles, Torah is like a flame of light. It is the performance of the holy mitzvos and the study of the majestic and beautiful Torah, that light the way for us, in the darkness of this bitter, but yet, almost-ending exile.
Perhaps, that's why, Rabbi Krohn shares, Hashem has allowed that arch and its engraving to remain the way it was built for more than 1900 years. Galus started after the destruction of the Second Beis Hamikdash and will continue until Mashiach comes very soon. But until than, for us to survive, we must carry the Menorah and all it represents. May our study of Torah and performance of Mitzvos, be a light upon the world, and through our good deeds and learning, we should merit to see the Eternal Light of Mashiach.
Bimhera BeYamenu. Amen Ve'Amen
Now, on the outside of the arch, near the top, there is an engraving that shows a very haunting and sad scene. The Yidden, broken and lost, carrying out the Menorah from the Beis Hamikdash as they left their land, Yerushalayim.
When Rabbi Krohn saw the arch he began to wonder, why Hashem allowed that arch to continue to stand for so many years, in almost perfect condition, while the rest of the city and its landmarks and tourist spots like the other arches, temples and courthouses, are falling apart and is in ruins. There are pillars of what most likely once where great pieces of architecture, but now they stand alone. There are stairs leading to doors with nothing to show behind it. Yet, this arch built for such a Rosha and nasty person remains, in almost perfect condition. Why?
Well, before he gives a beautiful answer, Rabbi Krohn shared the famed story of Rav Yosef Shlomo Kahanamen zt'l who visited the arch in 1953. When he arrived he looked towards the engraving of the Yidden carrying the Menorah, he pointed and cried out "Titus Titus! You thought you would get rid of us! You thought you'd destroyed Yerushalayim and that the Jewish People would be gone forever. Well, look at the world today! We, the Jewish People are all over! We are studying Torah and doing Mitzvos. But, where is the Roman Empire? It's gone! Not a shred of it remains! Titus, we defeated you!"
Indeed as Shlomo Hamelech writes in Mishlei "כי נר מצוה ותורה אור" - Mitzvos are like candles, Torah is like a flame of light. It is the performance of the holy mitzvos and the study of the majestic and beautiful Torah, that light the way for us, in the darkness of this bitter, but yet, almost-ending exile.
Perhaps, that's why, Rabbi Krohn shares, Hashem has allowed that arch and its engraving to remain the way it was built for more than 1900 years. Galus started after the destruction of the Second Beis Hamikdash and will continue until Mashiach comes very soon. But until than, for us to survive, we must carry the Menorah and all it represents. May our study of Torah and performance of Mitzvos, be a light upon the world, and through our good deeds and learning, we should merit to see the Eternal Light of Mashiach.
Bimhera BeYamenu. Amen Ve'Amen
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