Daf Yomi, Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, Torah and Psychology, Marriage Counseling, Psychotherapy
Our Gemara on Amud Beis describes the three sites of worship in early Jewish history: the Mishkan of Shiloh, Nov and Givon, and the Beis Olamim (the eternal house), i.e., the site of the Beis HaMikdash.
The text characterizes the final site as the “eternal house,” implying that its final status is permanent and everlasting—something different in nature than the prior two.
Tiferes Yosef (Likkutim, Shas Taanis 15) explains this in a deeper and broader context. Torah comes to a person in two ways. Sometimes Hashem provides an enlightenment or insight, and instantly there is an understanding of Torah without effort. While this is still substantial, but easy come—easy go. If one stops paying attention to it, he will lose it quickly. As the verse states (Mishlei 23:5), “You blink, and then it is gone.”
However, there is also Torah that one works for—Torah that one must delve into and struggle to understand. Such Torah is not quickly forgotten, and even if one turns away, “it grabs you by the neck and pulls you back, like a friend expecting your attention.” And even if one forgets some of that Torah, through prayer it can be restored.
The two Mishkans were like Torah that was not earned. God decided to bring His Shekhina there. However, the Beis HaMikdash was also a product of Dovid HaMelech’s longings and prayers, and therefore the site became permanent.
Upon reflection, I think this model applies not just to Torah knowledge, but also to life experiences. A person may grow up within a traditional framework and have a traditional upbringing, which gives an almost automatic awareness and incorporation of Torah. However, when a person reaches the age where they must go out into the secular world and also make choices about what they believe and what they reject through introspection and study, the acquisition of these ideas becomes deeper and more permanent.
Translations Courtesy of Sefaria, except when, sometimes, I disagree with the translation
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Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, LCSW-R, LMFT, DHL is a psychotherapist who works with high conflict couples and families. He can be reached via email at simchafeuerman@gmail.com