Erev Tisha B'Av at Beit Am, 5779

Due to what reason was the First Temple destroyed? It was destroyed due to the fact that there were three matters that existed in the First Temple: Idol worship, forbidden sexual relations, and bloodshed... However, considering that the people during the Second Temple period were engaged in Torah study, observance of mitzvot, and acts of kindness, and that they did not perform the sinful acts that were performed in the First Temple, why was the Second Temple destroyed? It was destroyed due to the fact that there was wanton hatred during that period. This comes to teach you that the sin of wanton hatred is equivalent to the three severe transgressions: Idol worship, forbidden sexual relations and bloodshed.

(1) "How (eichah) does she dwell..." (Lamentations 1:1): They asked Ben Azzai, and they said to him: Our teacher, derash something for us from the Lamentation Scroll. He said to them: Israel was not exiled until they denied the unity of the world, and circumcision that had been given [after] 20 generations, and the 10 commandments, and the 5 books of the Torah - the numbers in "eichah" (Alef - Yud - Chaf - Heh = 1-10-20-5).

(9) You shall not oppress a stranger, for you know the feelings of the stranger, having yourselves been strangers in the land of Egypt.

It is taught in a baraita that Rabbi Eliezer the Great says: For what reason did the Torah issue warnings in thirty-six places, and some say in forty-six places, with regard to mistreatment of a ger? It is due to the fact that a ger's inclination is toward evil, i.e., they are prone to return to their previous way of living.