9:29 AM
Gil Student
Some commenters have objected that the sole example I brought of a talmudic explanation for a reason behind the destruction of the Second Temple was inadequate and even seemed to prove that one could not offer reasons for such tragedies without prophecy. I will correct that here by citing a whole list of sins to which the destruction was attributed. Note that the original passage I cited is explained by many as referring to the reason that the land was afflicted, and not the Jewish people (e.g. Anaf Etz Yosef ad loc., Iyun Ya'akov to Nedarim 81). As such, it was an inappropriate example. Here is Judah Goldin's paraphrasing of a number of rabbinic sources, from his Jewish Legends of the Second Commonwealth, pp. 365-366:
Why was Jerusalem destroyed? Abaye said because its people profaned the Sabbath. Rabbi Abahu said it was because they neglected their prayers, to recite the Shema mornings and evenings. Rabbi Hamnuna said because they stopped teaching Torah to their children. Ulla said it was because they lost their sense of shame. Rabbi Isaac said because they paid no respect to people who deserved it. Rabbi Amram, quoting his father, Rabbi Simon ben Abba, who had quoted Rabbi Hanina, said it was because the did not admonish each other when it was called for; they turned their faces away and saw no evil. Rabbi Judah said Jerusalem was destroyed because they held scholars in contempt. Rava said it was because there were no more trustworthy people in the city, although Rabbi Ketina said that even at its worst Jerusalem always had some trustworthy people. [Shabbos 19b, Hagigah 14a]
Jerusalem was destroyed only because justice was perverted, as it is said, Your rulers are rogues and cronies of thieves, every one avid for presents and greedy for gifts (Isa. 1:23). Rabbi Johanan said, "Jerusalem was destroyed because people insisted on taking everything to court instead of seeking to settle disputes and litigations by compromise. They insisted upon the fulfillment of the exact law and never sought equity." [Midrash Aggadah 21:1, Midrash Tehillim 82:1, Bava Basra 30b]
What was the cause of the destruction of the First Temple? Idolatry. And of the Second Temple? Causeless hatred... [Kallah Rabbasi 54b]
The First Temple was destroyed because the people practiced idolatry, immorality, and murder. But during the period of the Second Temple they were engaged in the study of Torah, the fulfillment of commandments, and the practice of charity. Why then was the Second Temple destroyed? Because there was causeless hatred among the, which teaches you that causeless hatred is equal to the transgressions of idolatry, immorality, and murder together... [Yoma 9b]
Why was the Temple destroyed? Because it was taken as a pledge for our sins. [Shemos Rabbah 21:10]
