How can the gamarah compare a shul to the Beis Hamikdosh if the Beis Hamikdosh has to be rebuilt on the same spot and a shul does not?
I think Reb Yehudah Hasad comments on this can you please help a.s.a.p
Avi Goldberg, London, England
The Gemara states two reasons for not demolishing the old Shul before the new one is built: 1. negligence, and 2. lack of where to Daven in the interim. The Acharonim ask that negligence is not applicable to the Beis ha'Mikdash, while the first reason is applicable: where shall they offer Korbanos in the meantime? The Acharonim (Toras Chaim and others) answer that "Makrivin Af Al Pi she'Ein Bayis" - we are permitted to offer Korbanos even if there is no Beis ha'Mikdash.
Regarding your question, I assume that you mean to ask that the possibility of building the second Shul first does not apply to the Beis ha'Mikdash. To answer this question, Rav Matisyahu Shtrashoon, in his Chidushim, writes that the problem was demolishing it; one should not destroy a Beis ha'Mikdash as long as it is operational. Therefore, the Gemara answers that there was "Tiyu'ah" (it was falling apart) and there was no choice but to demolish it.
D. Zupnik