INTRODUCTION TO KINAH 16: ARCH OF TITUS The Arch of Titus is a monument in Rome constructed to commemorate the siege of Yerushalayim, constructed under Titus, emperor at the time. His army entered our home, our most sacred place, and took what belongs to us. He took something so valuable and precious to us.
Can you think of something that is most precious to you? Now imagine that being taken away.
The Ponovezher Rav, Rav Yosef Shlomo Kahaneman, traveled around the world raising money for his Yeshiva in Bnei Brak. On one of his trips he arrived in Rome and insisted on visiting the Arch of Titus immediately. When he arrived, he got out of the car, stood in the freezing cold, and shouted:
“Titus! Evil Titus! Take a good look at what has occurred. You dragged my hapless people out of our land two millennia ago and led them into an exile from which they were never to return. You went home to Rome – the most powerful nation on earth – in glory and triumph. But Titus, where are you? What has become of the glory that was Rome? What has become of the infallible empire that was supposed Titus, Mir Zenen noch do, Avu Bist Du? (We are still here! Where are you?”)