Unveiling the Makom Hamikdash: The Mageifa in Dovid Hamelech's Time

Unveiling the Makom Hamikdash: The Mageifa in Dovid Hamelech's Time

For generations, the exact location designated by Hashem for the Beis Hamikdash remained shrouded in mystery, known only as 'מקום אשר יבחר' - 'the place that I will choose' in the Torah. The question then arises: how and when was the site finally revealed?

The revelation of this site unfolded during the times of Dovid Hamelech, and the remarkable account is found in the concluding perakim of Shmuel II (Perek 24) and Divrei Hayamim I (Perek 21). While the mageifa of that era is widely known, the details surrounding its cessation and the lessons it imparts often remain less explored. Let's delve into the lesser-known aspect of the story, focusing on how the mageifa was brought to an end.

The saga unfolds with Dovid Hamelech conducting a census of the nation, an act that inadvertently angered Hashem. In response to this, a devastating plague swept across the land, tragically claiming the lives of thousands of people.

Hashem sent a Malach to Yerushalayim with a drawn sword. This Malach positioned itself near the threshing floor of Aravna Hayevusi on Har Hamoriah, signaling that this location held the key to ending the plague.

At this critical moment, the Navi Gad, instructed Dovid to construct a mizbeach on Aravna's threshing floor. Following this directive, Dovid Hamelech wasted no time in fulfilling this task. He built the mizbeach and brought korbanos upon it. He turned to Hashem in fervent prayer, beseeching Him to end the devastating plague that had befallen his people. Hashem heeded Dovid's heartfelt prayers, and the plague that had ravaged the nation ceased.

In the wake of this event, Dovid Hamelech realized that the site of the newly constructed mizbeach held a special significance. He understood that this place, in which he was granted forgiveness and his tefillos were answered, was chosen by Hashem to be the site of the future Beis Hamikdash. Hashem revealed the Makom Hamikdash in a manner that clearly demonstrated its intended role: facilitating kirvah to Hashem.

This location was not merely selected at random; this was the very site of Akeidas Yitzchak. Moreover, this was where Adam, Kayin, Hevel, and Noach had all brought their korbanos. Indeed, it was also the precise spot from which Adam Harishon was created. As the Rambam writes:

וּמָסֹרֶת בְּיַד הַכּל שֶׁהַמָּקוֹם שֶׁבָּנָה בּוֹ דָּוִד וּשְׁלֹמֹה הַמִּזְבֵּחַ בְּגֹרֶן אֲרַוְנָה הוּא הַמָּקוֹם שֶׁבָּנָה בּוֹ אַבְרָהָם הַמִּזְבֵּחַ וְעָקַד עָלָיו יִצְחָק. וְהוּא הַמָּקוֹם שֶׁבָּנָה בּוֹ נֹחַ כְּשֶׁיָּצָא מִן הַתֵּבָה. וְהוּא הַמִּזְבֵּחַ שֶׁהִקְרִיב עָלָיו קַיִן וְהֶבֶל. וּבוֹ הִקְרִיב אָדָם הָרִאשׁוֹן קָרְבָּן כְּשֶׁנִּבְרָא וּמִשָּׁם נִבְרָא. אָמְרוּ חֲכָמִים אָדָם מִמְּקוֹם כַּפָּרָתוֹ נִבְרָא.

(הלכות בית הבחירה ב:ב)

The story of how the Makom Hamikdash was revealed not only shows the power of the Makom Hamikdash as a place where tefillos are answered and as a place of selicha and kaparah, but it also highlights the crucial role korbanos play in enabling a deeper connection to Hashem.

The Radak provides an impactful insight. He brings a Midrash that the thousands who perished in the days of Dovid Hamelech did so because they did not yearn for the Beis Hamikdash:

ובדרש כל האלפים האלה שנפלו בימי דוד לא נפלו אלא ע"י שלא תבעו בית המקדש. והרי דברים קל וחומר ומה אם אלו שלא היה בימיהם ולא חרב בימיהם נפלו על שלא תבעו אותו, אנו שהיה בימינו וחרב בימינו על אחת כמה וכמה. לפיכך התקינו זקנים ונביאים ליטע בפיהם של ישראל להיות מתפללים שלשה פעמים בכל יום השב שכינתך ומלכותך לציון וסדר עבודתך לירושלם, אכי"ר סלה.

All those thousands who died in the days of Dovid died because they did not demand [or yearn for] the Beis Hamikdash. Surely then, if those who did not have it in their days, and it was not destroyed in their days, died because they did not demand it, how much more so should we, for whom it had existed and was destroyed in our time, [yearn for it]. Therefore, the zekeinim and neviim instituted to pray three times every day, 'Restore Your Shechinah and Your kingdom to Tzion, and Your avodah to Yerushalayim.'

In this spirit, let us all show our deep desire for the Beis Hamikdash. May our collective yearning and tefilos merit us to see the Beis Hamikdash rebuilt, במהרה בימינו!