The First Temple, why
was it destroyed? Because of idolatry, murder and adultery. The Second Temple,
when they were occupied in studying Torah, doing mitzvahs, and acts of
loving-kindness, why was it destroyed? Because there were
those who were intolerant of others without cause. Which teaches us that senseless
intolerance is equal to idolatry, murder and adultery combined. (Talmud Yoma 9b.)
There is no sin of senseless intolerance
listed in Torah. And yet, while the cardinal sins of Torah demanded only 70
years of exile, intolerance is so sinister, so powerful, it can take us almost
two thousand years to heal from its wounds.
In simple terms, it’s much easier to deal with
obvious, open failures and repair them. Intolerance, however, comes...
