“My Father has no home”: The response that surprised the British commissioner

We are in the midst of the nine days of mourning for the destruction of the Temple.

It is said that Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld, the rabbi of Jerusalem a century ago, once received a request from the British High Commissioner to visit his home. Close associates of the Rabbi hinted to him that it would be appropriate to arrange the planned visit in a more magnificent and spacious house befitting his status. However, the Rabbi of Jerusalem insisted forcefully on holding the meeting in his modest and humble home.

When the British Commissioner arrived for the planned visit to the Rabbi’s home in the Batei Machseh neighborhood of Jerusalem, he could not believe his eyes. The Rabbi of Jerusalem resided in a small and shabby apartment.

“How is it possible that the leader of the Jews, who so many people follow, lives in such a dwelling?” the British commissioner asked.

In response to his question, the Rabbi of Jerusalem approached the window through which the Western Wall was visible, pointed towards it, and said, “Does the honorable Commissioner see the site before us? There, my Father used to reside, but now His house is in ruins… For over two thousand years, His house has stood in isolation, destroyed and desolate. How can I live in a luxurious apartment when my Father has no home?”

These days, we also pray for the construction of the Temple. These days are days of mourning, but they are also days of hope. We mourn the past, but we also pray for the future. We mourn the destroyed House, but we also pray for the building of Jerusalem. May it be the Divine Will that the Temple will be rebuilt soon in our days.