The merit of Jerusalem

Hi,

In Shemot 14:15, as the Jews stood between the attacking Egyptians and the raging Yam Suf [Sea of Reeds], Gd said to Moshe, 'Why do you cry out to Me? Speak to the Jews, and they will travel.'

"R’ Yishmael said: ‘Why do you cry out to Me? I will split the sea for them in the merit of Yerushalayim,’ as it is written (regarding Yerushalayim, in Yeshayah 52:1), 'Awaken, awaken, don your strength, Zion! Put on the clothes of your glory, sacred city of Yerushalayim, for the uncircumcised and impure will enter no longer,' and (Yeshayah 51:9-10), 'Awaken, awaken, don your strength, you arm of Gd, awaken as in earlier days, the generations of old! You are the one who cut Rahav into pieces, who pierced the dragon, you are the one who dried up the sea, the waters of the great depths, who made the depths of the sea a path through which the redeemed could travel.'"

(Midrash, Mechilta d'Rabbi Yishmael, Beshalach 3)

Have a great day,
Mordechai