Jerusalem and the Divine Image
The Gemara Yoma (64b) records a fundamental debate amongst the Tannaim as to how the world was created. Throughout the extended discussion, the Chachamim, the sages of the beit medrash, conclude that Jerusalem is truly the center of the world. מציון נבראו, both the land and sky were created from Tzion. The אבן שתייה serves as the Foundational Stone for all of creation. This central role of Jerusalem is […]
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Cherna Moskowitz: The Pearl of Jerusalem
Once in a generation does time stop for a moment in Jerusalem. Once in a generation there’s a dark cloud with a beautiful silver lining symbolically hovering over theskies in Jerusalem. Lichvod the Moskowitz family here in Jerusalem and overseas – our hearts are with you at this time.Sadly and tragically – most of the […]
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Rebbe Yochanan ben Zakkai: Redeeming the Sparks of the Arzei Levanon
Rebbe Yochanan ben Zakkai, one of the greatest disciples of Hillel haZaken, was the chief Torah leader who witnessed the darkest period of churban. As Jerusalem was being torn apart by rebel-infighting and Jewish self-hatred, Rebbe Yochanan ben Zakkai hatched a plan to escape the city and convince the Romans to allow for the survival […]
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The Arzei Levanon of Jerusalem: Rebbe Yishmael Kohen Gadol
Last week, we discussed the martyrdom of Rebbe Shimon ben Gamliel, the first of the asarah harguei malchut. Hazal tell us (Otzer Midrashim, Asarah Harugei Malchut) that the brutal beheading of Rebbe Shimon occurred in front of Rebbe Yishmael, the great sage and high priest in Jerusalem, as he himself awaited his execution. Rebbe Yishmael […]
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Jerusalem in Ashes
Despite Chazal clearly explaining that the true reasons for the laws of parah adumah are ultimately inscrutable, the midrash provides various symbolic interpretations of the laws of our parsha’s opening passages. In one of the Midrash Tanchuma’s renditions of the scriptural passage, it describes the Red Heffer process as a metaphor for the sinful failure […]
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Every Jew is Holy: the Fundamental Error of Korach
In modern day Jewish discourse, it is a given that every Jew is holy. The inalienable sanctity of every member of Klal Yisrael is a fundamental baseline for how we interact with and talk about other Jews. The Gemara (Moed Katan 25a) states that if one is present during yetziat neshama, the departing of a […]
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Rafah Holds The Key To Jerusalem
On May 6th this year, after months of waiting, the IDF surprised Hamas forces by launching a night time invasion of Rafah, taking the international crossing by sunrise. What was billed as a potential bloodbath, went as smoothly as anyone could hope for, proving Israel’s detractors once again wrong and boosting public morale. With all […]
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Sinai and Moriah: Klal Yisrael Unites
Over the past months, I have written much about Jerusalem’s unique capability to unite Jews and bring Klal Yisrael together. As all Jews ascend to the makom HaMikdash for the festivals, even the amei ha’aretz are considered to be chaveirim, friends and colleagues, of the Torah scholars. On the regalim in Jerusalem, the normal boundaries […]
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Sinai and Moriah: The Curtain Lifts
Last week, we discussed the metaphysical connection between Har Sinai and Har Moriah. The mountain on which the Torah was given will eventually be combined with the mountain on which the Beit HaMikdash will be built. We explained why limmud HaTorah is so essential to revealing the reality of Ein Od Milvado; HaKadosh Baruch Hu’s […]
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The Faithful City and Her Faithful Children
At the close of its exegesis of Sefer VaYikra, the Midrash Rabba discusses the incredible spiritual capabilities granted to one who faithfully fulfills his vows. Rebbe Yaakov contends that one who fulfills his vows is guaranteed to have his tefillot heard. As a proof text, he invokes Tehillim 65:2-3, where Dovid HaMelekh describes the God […]
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