The Battle, the Bread, and the Wine of Jerusalem

Ma’aseh Avot Siman L’Banim, the actions of the forefathers are a sign for the children. Four kings, led by Amraphel the ruler of Shin’ar, form an alliance and sweep across Eretz Yisrael, murdering, plundering, and kidnaping as they advance. When Avraham hears that his nephew Lot has been captured, he immediately girds himself for battle […]

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The Lowly Jew’s Fire for Jerusalem

The Midrash Rabbah (Noach, 32) recounts a bizarre story about the great Tannaitic sage Rebbe Yonatan, who was a principal disciple of Rebbe Yishmael and lived shortly after the destruction of the second temple.  Rebbe Yonatan and his donkey driver were traveling towards Jerusalem to pray at the site of the Beis HaMikdash’s ruins. They […]

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Jerusalem And The Image Of God

In the post-mabul world, God imparts certain basic messages to Noah that are to be the cornerstone of a new Godly and moral society. One of the most fundamental directives is the prohibition against murder: Whoever sheds the blood of man through man shall his blood be shed, for in the image of God He […]

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The Portal of Yerushalayim

Besides the basic wood and tar necessary to build a boat, God tells Noah that the teivah requires one more item:  “A Tzohar you shall make for the teivah.”  What is a Tzohar?  Rashi cites two opinions from a midrash: Some say [that it was] a window, and some say [that it was] a precious […]

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