This is the time of year when we mourn the destruction of the two Temples in Jerusalem. Their destruction and the exile that followed had long been foretold. G-d sent prophet after prophet to urge our ancestors to change their ways, but they refused. Eventually, the warnings gave way to punishment.

Yet a question remains.

We understand why the Jewish people were punished, but why destroy the Temple?

The Temple was the heart of Jewish life. Without it, hundreds of the Torah’s commandments could no longer be fulfilled. The offerings ceased. The central place where Jews connected with G-d was gone. If the goal of punishment was to inspire repentance, why remove the very institution that made repentance more accessible?

It seems almost like debtor’s prison. If someone owes money, imprisoning him only makes it harder to earn enough to repay the debt. Likewise, if Jews had strayed from G-d, why take away the place that most inspired them to return?

The answer begins with a story.

The Scholarship Miriam was an exceptional student. Her parents dreamed of seeing her attend university, but they could not afford the tuition. They often reminded her that unless she earned a scholarship, college would remain out of reach.

As teenagers sometimes do, Miriam grew tired of the lectures. She became determined to prove her parents wrong. She applied for a scholarship, convinced that her application was strong enough to earn it. Weeks later, she........

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