“On a house in the land of your possession” (Leviticus 14:34), this is the Temple,27This is based on the fact that the verse refers to a house, singular, rather than houses, plural. It is thus understood to refer to a house that is singularly unique (Maharzu). as it is stated: “Behold, I am profaning My Temple, the pride of your strength” (Ezekiel 24:21). “The one to whom the house belongs shall come” (Leviticus 14:35), this is the Holy One blessed be He, as it is stated: “Because of My house that is destroyed” (Haggai 1:9).
“And tell the priest” (Leviticus 14:35), this is Jeremiah, as it is stated: “Of the priests that are in Anatot” (Jeremiah 1:1). “Something like a mark appears to be in the house” (Leviticus 14:35), this is the filth of idol worship. Some say: This is the idol of Manasseh. That is what is written: “Behold, north of the altar gate, the image of provocation in the entry [babia]” (Ezekiel 8:5).
What is babia? Woe, woe [bia bia] that the resident evacuates the owner from his house. Rabbi Berekhya said: It is written: “For the bedding is too short for stretching out” (Isaiah 28:20); the bed cannot hold a woman, her husband, and her paramour together. Rather, “the cover is too narrow for taking cover [kehitkanes]” (Isaiah 28:20); you have created a great rival for Him of whom it is written: “He gathers [kones] sea water like a mound” (Psalms 33:7).28Because Israel engaged in idolatry, God removed His presence from their midst and from the Temple.
“The priest shall command and they shall empty the house” (Leviticus 14:36) – “He took the treasures of the House of the Lord” (I Kings 14:26). “He shall demolish the house” (Leviticus 14:45) – “He demolished this House” (Ezra 5:12). “He shall take it outside the city” (Leviticus 14:45) – “and exiled the people to Babylon” (Ezra 5:12). One might [think] it will be forever; the verse states: “They shall take other stones” (Leviticus 14:42), as it is stated: “Therefore, so said the Lord God: Behold, I am laying a foundation in Zion, a stone, a trial stone, a precious cornerstone of a sturdy foundation; the faithful will not hurry” (Isaiah 28:16).