On Tisha B’Av, we are expected to mourn many things: the devastation that happened to our people long ago; the almost two thousand years of expulsions, bloodshed, and torture that we have suffered through since then; and finally, the influence on our mindset and lifestyle picked up by living in exile all of these years.

While it takes work to actually feel the pain, the issues aren’t that distant, and most of us can relate to them.

There is, however, another aspect of the tragedy that is more difficult to relate to: the loss of the Bais Hamikdash itself and our inability to do the avodah (temple service).

The problem is that performing the avodah is something that we have never experienced. How can we recognize what it is? How can we realize what we are lacking? And how can we possibly mourn its loss?

This Shmuz brings us closer to relating to what the Bais Hamikdash was and what it was like to experience being inside it.