Why the Temple was Destroyed: The Blemish of Faith, and Miriam's Faith as a Tikkun (Rectification)

Why specifically in the months of Tammuz and Av was the Temple destroyed? Our teacher Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a teaches that the destruction came from a blemish in faith and trust — and the tikkun (rectification) lies in the steadfast faith of Miriam the Prophetess, who never fell into despair.

The Months of Destruction — The Months of Despair

The 'Asarah Maamarot' teaches that Tammuz and Av were established as the months of destruction because during them, the Jewish people divorced their wives. When Pharaoh decreed against the males, Amram — the greatest of the generation — arose and divorced Yocheved, and after him, everyone divorced: "If Amram divorces, are we more righteous than him?" And why did they do so? Because they had no trust, they had no faith that prayer is above everything — that through the power of prayer, one can annul a thousand decrees. And since they destroyed their own homes and did not have mercy, Hashem said: "I too will destroy your Home."

Miriam — The Girl Who Restored Hope

And who restored the faith? Miriam, a five-year-old girl. She stood before her 120-year-old father and said to him: "You have erred. Your decree is harsher than Pharaoh's decree — Pharaoh decreed only against the males, and you against the males and the females; and the savior of Israel is destined to come forth from you." In the merit of her faith, Amram reconsidered and took back his wife — and from them Moses was born, the redeemer of Israel.

Not Falling into Despair

And when Moses was thrown into the Nile and it seemed that all was lost, Miriam did not become confused and did not fall into despair — she remained steadfast in her faith. This is the tikkun (rectification) of the days of Bein HaMetzarim (the Three Weeks): just as the destruction came from despair and lack of faith, so too the building of the Temple comes from steadfast faith that does not break — the faith that every prayer is heard, and that it has the power to annul any decree.

From a lesson by our teacher Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a.