Why Yosef and Binyamin Wept and Why We Should Weep Too

In Parshat Vayigash, when Yosef and Binyamin are reunited we
read (Breisheet 45:14) “He (Yosef) then fell upon his brother Binyamin’s neck
and wept and Binyamin wept upon his neck.”

It is understandable that Yosef and Binyamin, Rachel’s only
children would cry after not seeing each other for so many years.

However, Rashi believes that there is a deeper reason for
why they were crying.

According to Rashi, Yosef wept for the two Temples which were destined to be in
Binyamin’s territory and in the end will be destroyed. Binyamin wept for the
Tabernacle of Shiloh which was destined to be in Yosef’s territory and in the
end will be destroyed.

Living in Jerusalem, one is
reminded of the destruction of both the First and Second Temples
on a regular basis. In the old city of Jerusalem,
archeologists are constantly finding remnants from both the First and Second Temple
periods. When one prays at the Kotel (Western Wall), they are reminded that
they are standing in front of the last remaining wall that surrounded the Temple, yet we don’t have
the Beit HaMikdash to pray at. If a Jewish person has the opportunity to ascend
the Temple Mount, they are not given permission to
pray there. Rather, they will see a Mosque standing where the Temple stood and they will see children
playing soccer on our holiest site.

This Thursday, we will commemorate the Tenth of Tevet, the
fast day which marks the beginning of the siege around Jerusalem
which ultimately led to the destruction of the First Temple.

Those living in Jerusalem
don’t only think of the destruction of the Beit Hamikdash when a fast day comes
along or when they are praying. The destruction is an integral part of our
lives. This morning two border policemen were stabbed near the Lion’s Gate in
the old city of Jerusalem.
Earlier this week two cars of Israelis were attacked on their way to a funeral
on Har HaZeitim (Mount of Olives). Last month,
Yeshiva students were ambushed on their way to Friday night dinner near Har
HaTsofim (Mount Scopus). The images of the destruction
are unfortunately still very real today.

We can’t just sit back and accept the destruction that is
taking place. We must cry out and demand more security and safer access to our
holiest city.

The difference today is that we have a State of Israel. The
Israelis are the one’s who should be in control. We must not tolerate violence
from our enemies.