Question:
Was it always destined that the first (and second) bayis would be destroyed, or could it have been prevented?
Also, when did mashiach come into the picture - was mashiach a concept during the batei mikdash? For example, did the Jews in Shlomo Hamelech's time know that there was something better to hope for for the future despite Shlomo's time being described as the greatest time in our history?
Answer:
Hello,
It technically could have been prevented, for example, had the Jews not worshipped the golden calf, It would have been the final tikkun and they would not have needed galus etc. Additionally had Adam not eaten from the Eitz Hadas, the world would have reached its final tikkun. On the other hand, it was known to the Avos that in reality, the Klal Yisroel would go into golus, as we see in Yackov’s dream, with the malachim ascending the ladder and the four exiles. Additionally, the Midrash says that Yackov wanted to reveal, the time of the final redemption, right before he passed away, nut was prevented from shomayim from doing so. Tis was all even before the building of the first Bais Hamikdash.
Best wishes
