[Avodah] Mourning for the Temple or repenting?

[Mordechai Torczyner]

I wrote:
>>However, perhaps another root of the bein hametzarim practices is a
fulfillment of Zecher l'Mikdash, which the gemara (RH 30a) traces to "Tziyon
he, doreish ein lah" - we are obligated to be doreish (to seek out) Tziyon.
Of course, zecher l'mikdash could also be external and action-based, but the
concept of being "doreish" sounds stronger than that.<<

To which Akiva replied:
>>You're confusing zecher lemikdash with zecher lechurban. The former is
marking mitzvas that were done while the BhM stood and include things like
lulav kol shiva. It is with respect to this aspect that the gemora uses this
posuk. Furthermore, there is no element of aveilus involved; lulav is
performed publicly on YT, and many more proofs. The other zecher is an
aveilus type zecher and exists WRT the events of the destruction. It is not
here that that posuk is used.<<

It is certainly true that Zecher l'Mikdash and Zecher l'Churban lead to
different practices, and the gemara even assigns them different root
pesukim. It is further true that the Zecher l'Mikdash activities involve no
overt aveilus.

However, as I understand it, the two memorials are separate observances that
lead to the same goal: Remembering the Beis haMikdash. Much as Kavod/Yirah
lead to the same recognition of one's parents, and Zachor/Shamor lead to the
same recognition of Shabbos, so Zecher l'Churban and Zecher l'Mikdash lead
to a wrenching of the heart for the loss of the Beis haMikdash, just from
two opposite directions.

Be well,
Mordechai


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