The value of prayer in the synagogue

Hi,

"Abba Binyamin said: A person's prayer is heard only in the synagogue, as it is written, 'To listen to the song and the prayer' - in the place of song, there will be the prayer.

"Ravin bar Rav Ada cited Rabbi Yitzchak: How do we know that Gd is found in the synagogue? It is written, 'Gd stands in the congregation of Gd.' And how do we know that Gd is present when ten pray? It is written, 'Gd stands in the congregation of Gd.'"

תניא, אבא בנימין אומר: אין תפלה של אדם נשמעת אלא בבית הכנסת, שנאמר: לשמוע אל הרנה ואל התפלה, במקום רנה שם תהא תפלה. אמר רבין בר רב אדא אמר רבי יצחק: מנין שהקב"ה מצוי בבית הכנסת שנאמר: אלקים נצב בעדת א-ל; ומנין לעשרה שמתפללין ששכינה עמהם - שנאמר: אלקים נצב בעדת א-ל

(Talmud, Berachot 6a)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

The Divine Presence at Death

Hi,

"Before a person dies, he sees the Shechinah [Divine presence].

"If he merits it, then the shechinah does not leave him until he is buried, as it is written [Psalms 85:14], 'Righteousness will walk before him, putting its feet upon the road.'"

 (Vilna Gaon, Aderet Eliyahu to Bereishit 18:1)

Have a great day,

Mordechai

The character of the future Redemption

Hi,

"Do not think that the future redemption will be like the redemption of the second Temple. It will not be so, for it will not be dependent upon the spirit of Man, like Cyrus or Darius, King of Persia. 'I will come,' I will come to you, not a man.

"Also, in the second Temple the Shechinah and prophecy did not descend (per Yoma 21b), but in the future redemption I will come and dwell among you, as in days of old."

(Abarbanel to Zecharyah 2:14)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

The special character of Benjamin

Hi,

“The Shechinah was manifest upon Israel in three places: Shiloh, Nov and Givon, and the Beit haMikdash. In each of these it was manifest only in the portion of Benjamin, as it is written (Devarim 33:12), ‘He covers Benjamin all day,’ all of the coverings [by HaShem] occur only in the portion of Benjamin.”

(Talmud, Zevachim 118b)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Where is Gd?

Hi,

"“And I will walk [v’hithalachti] in your midst” - A mithalech is someone who walks here and there, rather than remain in a given place exclusively.

"HaShem said: If you will perform My mitzvot, I will walk among you. The influence of Divine honor will not be limited to one place, as it was in the Mishkan and Mikdash, as it is written, “And they will prepare a Mikdash for Me and I will dwell among them,” meaning that I will dwell among them in this way and in this place alone, as I had stated at first, “The place where I will meet with you,” “There I will meet with the Children of Israel.”

"Rather, I will walk among you, and My glory will be visible everywhere you are located. Wherever the righteous ones of the generation will be, that place will be more sacred than My dwelling above, for there My intent will be brought to fruition.

"It is written (Yeshayah 66:1), “The Heavens are My throne, and the earth My footstool,” and yet, “To this one I will gaze: To the one who is humble and of low spirit, who trembles at My word.”"

(R' Ovadiah Seforno to Vayyikra 26:12)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

The Sanctity of the Synagogue and Study Hall

Hi,

"“You shall be in awe of My mikdash” - This refers to the sanctified places, after the Beit haMikdash is destroyed.

"It refers to the synagogues and study halls, which remain holy even though the Beit haMikdash is destroyed. It is said (Yechezkel 11:16), “And I have been for them a miniature sanctuary [in their exile],” and the sages explained this to mean, “These are the synagogues and study halls. (Megilah 29a)”"

(R' Ovadiah Seforno to Vayyikra 26:2)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

From Prayer to Study, from strength to strength

Hi,

"One who leaves the synagogue and goes directly to the study hall will merit to receive Gd's Shechinah [presence], as it is written, 'They will go from strength to strength, they will be seen before Gd in Zion.'"

(Talmud, Berachot 64a)

Have a great day,
Mordechai