A building should ultimately be judged not by its height or its dimensions, but by its structural integrity
Over two millennia ago, a magnificent building stood on a mount in Judea. The building was impressive and splendid and admired by all.
All, that is, except for Chazal.
When Nevuchadnetzar destroyed the Beis Hamikdash and boasted that he had “bested” HaKadosh Baruch Hu, a voice said in response, “You have ground into flour that which was already flour” (Midrash Rabbah Shir Hashirim 3:4). Meaning, the Beis Hamikdash was already rotten and destroyed from within because of our sins; all that Nevuchadnetzar accomplished was to bring this state of spiritual decay into plain view.