As Steinsaltz explains, after the destruction of Jerusalem, Yohanan Ben Zakkai “faced the challenge of establishing a new center for the people and helping them adjust to the new circumstances whereby religious ardor had to be diverted to another focal point now that the Temple had ceased to exist. ”
Nagu selgitab Steinsaltz, kerkis pärast Jeruusalemma hävingut Johanan ben Zakkai ette ” raske ülesanne rajada rahvale uus keskus ja aidata sel kohaneda uute oludega, kus templit enam ei olnud ja usuline ind tuli suunata uuele objektile ”.