Question:
The Mishna in Middos tells us that the Mizrach gate had on top an image of Shushan.The Gem in Menochos gives 2 potential explanations but either seem hard to understand. Would you be able to explain this more?
I know this is not a halachic query but I found v little in the seforim.
Answer:
Hello,
The gemora in Menachos 98a is giving two explanations. The first one is that the Jews did it in order to remember where they came from, from exile in Persia, and the capital of Persia at that time was Shushan. (Others explain it that the government of Persia forced them to do this so they would remember who gave them the permission to rebuild the Bais Hamikdash. The second explanation the Gemora gives is that the Persian government obligated them to do this so that they would always have a reminder of who is their boss, and that they are still subjugated to them. Maharsha gives another explanation, that even when they will be successful, they should still remember the days that things weren’t so good for them, and this will give them a humble feeling. Similar to the idea of always remembering that we were once slaves in Egypt, which aside from evoking feelings of gratitude, it also evokes feelings of humility.
Best wishes
