Rav Moshe Betzalel's Answer That Moved the Brisker Rav
On vacation in Switzerland, Rav Moshe Betzalel told the Brisker Rav why Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai's two takanos came together: the second gave the Jews hope.
In the year 5699, Rebbe Moshe Betzalel, HY”D (the brother of the Imrei Emes), was on vacation with the Brisker Rav in Switzerland. They were talking in learning, and the aforementioned question came up. Rebbe Moshe Betzalel offered an answer.
The Jews after the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash were understandably downcast. When Rebbe Yochanon Ben Zakai made a takana to remember the good times, it caused them even greater sadness. They reasoned, why make a remembrance to the Beis Hamikdash if we will be rebuilding it soon? They concluded that it must be there is no hope of a quick return. Whereupon, Rebbe Yochanon Ben Zakai made a decree that we must wait until the night of the 16th of Nissan to eat from the new crop of grain. Why? Maybe by the following Pesach the Beis Hamikdash will already have been built and people will make a mistake. When the Jews realized that Rebbe Yochanon Ben Zakkai was enacting takanos for the possibility that the Beis Hamikdash will be rebuilt this year, it gave them hope. Even though the situation looked glum, they knew that next year they may be offering korbanos in the rebuilt Beis Hamikdash. The Brisker Rav was very much moved by the answer.