In the Talmud, there is a story which relates to us how the sages
understood the causes of the destruction of the Temple and our expulsion into
the Diaspora. It is called the story of Kamsa and Bar Kamsa.
Because of Kamsa and Bar Kamsa , two different people, Jerusalem was
destroyed. There was a man who was very good friends with Kamsa and did not get
along with another person with a similar name, Bar Kamsa. One time this man
made a large banquet and told his servant to invite his friend Kamsa. The
servant made a mistake and invited Bar Kamsa.
When the man came to his banquet, he was surprised to see Bar Kamsa
sitting there. Not wanting to see his enemy benefiting from his meal, he
ordered him to leave. Bar Kamsa , not wanting to be embarrassed, offered to pay
for his portion of food. The man refused to accept compensation, and ordered
Bar Kamsa to leave.
Bar Kamsa, still not wanting to be embarrassed , offered to pay for half
of the expenses of the large banquet. Still the man refused and ordered Bar
Kamsa to leave . Finally , Bar Kamsa offered to pay for the entire banquet . In
anger, the man grabbed Bar Kamsa with his own hands and physically ejected Bar
Kamsa from the banquet.
Bar Kamsa said that since there were many Rabbis at the meal and non of
them objected to the outrageous behavior on the part of the host, it must be
that the Rabbis agreed with his embarrassing episode. Bar Kamsa decided to fix
them all. He went to speak with Caesar (the king of Rome) and told him that the
Jews are planning a rebellion against the Romans.
The Roman Caesar did not believe it. Bar Kamsa told him to send a
sacrifice to the Temple in Jerusalem and see if the Jews will bring it on to
the Alter. The Caesar agreed and sent an animal . On the way to Jerusalem, Bar
Kamsa inflicted a minor wound into the lip (or eye) of the animal, so small
that by almost all standards it would not be considered a blemish.
When the animal arrived in the Temple in Jerusalem, the Rabbis examined
the animal and saw the tiny blemish . They didn't know what to do . Although
according to Jewish law it was forbidden to offer such an animal on the alter,
they reasoned that not to offer it for such a minor reason could endanger
themselves and cause a breach with the Caesar. Therefore they wanted to have
the animal brought up upon the Alter. Rabbi Zacharia ben Avkolus however
disagreed fering that people will learn from this that animals with blemishes
may be brought upon the Alter.
The Rabbis then thought to have Bar Kamsa killed in order that word not
be brought back to the Caesar. Rabbi Zacharia back to the Caesar. Rabbi
Zacharia ben Avkolus again disagreed, fearing that people may think that one
who brings an animal with a blemish can be put to death.
Rabbi Yochanan at this point taught that due to the extreme piety of
rabbi Zacharia ben Avkolus, the Temple was destroyed , the Sanctuary burnt in
flames and we were exiled from our land.
This is one of the stories in the Talmud , the rest is history. What we
need to do is to analyze this story to understand what the sages were trying to
convey in the story.
First , we can note that the combined incidences of the host of the
banquet and Bar Kamsa showed a tremendous lack of feelings for the welfare of
another. From this we learn the importance of putting other peoples feelings
ahead of our desires. Still, this does not compare to the lack of action on the
part of the assembled Rabbis at the banquet, who , had they protested the lack
of consideration, could have averted a national tragedy. We learn from this the
awesome responsibilities of those people who are in positions of leardership
and influence. Yet even more so, is the blame on the shoulders of Rabbi
Zacharia ben Avkolus, because of his great piety , not only was the Temple and
Jerusalem destroyed , but we were exiled through out the nations. Rabbi
Zacharia ben Avkolus who was the leader and most influential man in his
generation should have seen the results of his actions. National leaders must
know when to stand firm and when and how to bend , to avoid disastrous results.
He must be able to put his own personal agenda and feelings aside and make
proper decisions.
May we all learn from this chilling episode in our Jewish History, that our
behavior is of extreme importance. May we, through the good will and cheerful
help that we are able to give to another fellow Jew, see the rebuilding of the
Temple swiftly in our days.