Parshas Eikev 5786
- Torah Tavlin
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
Halachos and Hanhagos Relating to the Churban (6)
After the destruction of the Bais HaMikdash, Chazal decreed that a person who builds a new house, should leave an unplastered area of 1x1 amos in the home, as a constant reminder of the golus of Klal Yisroel. In those days, the walls were made of stone with one layer of mud smeared over for insulation from the elements, and a second layer of plaster for added insulation and beauty. By leaving a specific area without plaster, the mud underneath would then show, and this created a zecher l’churban (1). In today’s day and age, homes are built differently, and we do not insulate with mud in the walls. We generally use “drywall” underneath with an overcoat of paint or something decorative. Thus, our reminder would be to leave an unfinished or unpainted area of drywall, although in some cases where the drywall itself has an attractive finish, it might be desirable to scrape the unfinished area to make it appear less decorative (2). Another way would be to simply paint the amah by amah area with black paint (some even inscribe the words “zecher l’churban” on the black paint). Even though some may justify this custom, it would appear that this is not the best manner in which to fulfill the din (3). Placing a painting or picture of Yerushalayim or the Kosel Hamaaravi on the spot is definitely not in accordance with the halacha, since it is less a zecher and more a decoration (4). One should strive to use this as a reminder of what Klal Yisroel has lost so that we may increase our tefillos for the geulah (5).
Where To Place It. The most ideal place for this reminder is on the wall facing the home’s main entrance. If this is not feasible, one should use the nearest wall to the front door, or directly over the entranceway, where it will be readily seen from the inside or as one leaves (6). (Piskei Teshuvah) One who purchases a house from a gentile does not need to scrape away any area of the house. If he does renovations or paints over the walls, at that point he should then leave a zecher. If he bought a house from a Jew who didn’t leave a reminder, he should go ahead and make one (7).
(1) או"ח תקס:א (2) פרי מגדים תקס:א (3) שער הציון שם:ח, אגרות משה ג:פד (4) נחמת ישראל עמ' ר"ה (5) חיי אדם קלז:א (6) תקס:ב (7) או"ח שם