Erasing Amalek and Building Bais HaMikdosh 

By Rabbi Berach Steinfeld

Mesechtes Megilah discusses the inyanim of Purim. Interestingly enough, this Mesechta also speaks about the halachos of building a Shul. Why is this so?

The Gemara in Sanhedrin 20b brings down the three mitzvos the Yiddin were commanded when they entered Eretz Yisroel. They were commanded to appoint a king, to destroy Amalek, and to build the Bais HaMikdosh.

Reb Yoinasan Eibshitz in his sefer Yaaros Devash 1:17 explains the reason why the Yiddin were commanded to destroy Amalek before the building of the Bais HaMikdosh. Hashem’s kisei (throne) is not complete until the Yiddin will take revenge and wipe out Amalek. If Hashem’s kisei (throne) is not complete, then the building of the Bais HaMikdosh cannot begin.

This is why Shaul and David had to fight Amalek before building the Bais HaMikdosh. Similarly, after the story of Mordechai and Esther wiping out Haman who was a descendant of Amalek, they were then able to build the second Bais HaMikdosh.

Reb Tzadok HaKohen fom Lublin explains the above question. When learning Megilah and the laws of Purim we learn about wiping out Amalek. After that is done, we mention the Halachos of building a Bais Hakneses, which is a Mikdash Me’at.

Let’s hope that the mitzvos of Purim and building a Mikdash Me’at will be a prelude for the building of the third Bais HaMikdosh. Amen!

In conclusion, now is the time to rededicate our Mikdash Me’at and show respect to Shul by not talking during davening. Let us be mashlim Hashem’s name and Kisei (throne) and bring Moshiach!