Hi,
Introduction: The word tzedek refers to justice.
"Jerusalem makes its residents just – [its biblical leaders were named] Malki Tzedek (Genesis 14),
Adoni Tzedek (Joshua 10). Jerusalem itself is called tzedek, as in Isaiah 1:21,
'Righteousness would reside in her.'"
(Midrash, Bereishit Rabbah 43:6)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Showing posts with label Yerushalayim (Jerusalem). Show all posts
Showing posts with label Yerushalayim (Jerusalem). Show all posts
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Jerusalem and Torah
Hi,
"The foundation of Yerushalayim was in the sanctity of the Torah, as it is written (Yeshayah 2:3 and Michah 4:2), 'For Torah will emerge from Zion, and the word of Gd from Yerushalayim.'"
(Netziv, Haamek Davar to Shemot 30:1)
המצפה לישועה,
Mordechai
"The foundation of Yerushalayim was in the sanctity of the Torah, as it is written (Yeshayah 2:3 and Michah 4:2), 'For Torah will emerge from Zion, and the word of Gd from Yerushalayim.'"
(Netziv, Haamek Davar to Shemot 30:1)
המצפה לישועה,
Mordechai
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Why go to Jerusalem?
Hi,
"R' Avin bar Rav Ada said, citing R' Yitzchak: Why doesn't Yerushalayim have the beautiful fruit found in the area of the Kineret? So that those who ascend to Yerushalayim for holidays won't say, 'Had we come only to eat this beautiful fruit in Yerushalayim, that would have been sufficient.' Then they would be going to Yerushalayim for inappropriate reasons.
"Similarly, R' Dostai b'R' Yannai said: Why doesn't Yerushalayim have hot springs, like those in Tiveria? So that those who ascend to Yerushalayim for holidays won't say, 'Had we come only to bathe in the hot springs, that would have been sufficient.' Then they would be going to Yerushalayim for inappropriate reasons."
(Talmud, Pesachim 8b)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
"R' Avin bar Rav Ada said, citing R' Yitzchak: Why doesn't Yerushalayim have the beautiful fruit found in the area of the Kineret? So that those who ascend to Yerushalayim for holidays won't say, 'Had we come only to eat this beautiful fruit in Yerushalayim, that would have been sufficient.' Then they would be going to Yerushalayim for inappropriate reasons.
"Similarly, R' Dostai b'R' Yannai said: Why doesn't Yerushalayim have hot springs, like those in Tiveria? So that those who ascend to Yerushalayim for holidays won't say, 'Had we come only to bathe in the hot springs, that would have been sufficient.' Then they would be going to Yerushalayim for inappropriate reasons."
(Talmud, Pesachim 8b)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Jerusalem: Gd's eternal home
Hi,
"Once the Sanctuary [mikdash] was built in Jerusalem, building a house for Gd, in which to bring offerings, became prohibited.
"There is no eternal house other than in Jerusalem, on Mount Moriah, regarding which Divrei haYamim I 22:1 states, 'And David said: This is the house of Gd, and this is the altar for ascending offerings for Israel.' And Tehillim 132:14 says, 'Here is My place of rest, forever.'"
(Rambam, Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Beit haBechirah 1:3)
המצפה לישועה,
Mordechai
"Once the Sanctuary [mikdash] was built in Jerusalem, building a house for Gd, in which to bring offerings, became prohibited.
"There is no eternal house other than in Jerusalem, on Mount Moriah, regarding which Divrei haYamim I 22:1 states, 'And David said: This is the house of Gd, and this is the altar for ascending offerings for Israel.' And Tehillim 132:14 says, 'Here is My place of rest, forever.'"
(Rambam, Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Beit haBechirah 1:3)
המצפה לישועה,
Mordechai
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
The guardians of Jerusalem
Hi,
"It is written (Isaiah 30), 'I have appointed guards
upon your walls, Jerusalem, all day and all night, continually; they will not
be silenced, etc.'
"What do the guards say?
Rava bar Rav Shila said, 'You will rise up and have mercy on
Zion. (Psalms 102)'
Rav Nachman bar Yitzchak said, 'Gd is the builder of
Jerusalem. (Psalms 147)'
"What did the guards say before (when Jerusalem still
stood, in all its glory)?
Rava bar Rav Shila said, 'For Gd has chosen Zion; He has
desired it for His seat. (Psalm 132)'"
(Talmud, Menachot 87a)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Monday, May 21, 2012
Future Elevation of Jerusalem
Hi,
Zecharyah 14:9 predicts the levelling of land around Jerusalem. Radak explains:
"Even though she is already elevated above all of Israel now, her height is not that visible because of the mountains which surround her. At that time the land around her will be a plain, and so her height will be visible above the entire land. Thus Yeshayah (2:2, and Michah 4:1) said, "The mountain of the house of Gd will be established at the head of the mountains and elevated above hills." That actually refers to elevation in stature, but all will be true, this and that."
(Radak to Zecharyah 14:10)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Zecharyah 14:9 predicts the levelling of land around Jerusalem. Radak explains:
"Even though she is already elevated above all of Israel now, her height is not that visible because of the mountains which surround her. At that time the land around her will be a plain, and so her height will be visible above the entire land. Thus Yeshayah (2:2, and Michah 4:1) said, "The mountain of the house of Gd will be established at the head of the mountains and elevated above hills." That actually refers to elevation in stature, but all will be true, this and that."
(Radak to Zecharyah 14:10)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Jerusalem without a Temple
Hi,
"Yerushalayim is in the category of ‘degraded’ and ‘desolate’ as long as the Beit haMikdash is not built; the essence of Yerushalayim is the Beit haMikdash."
(Rav Tzvi Yehudah Kook, cited by Rav Shlomo Aviner, שלהבתיה pg. 5)
המצפה לישועה,
Mordechai
"Yerushalayim is in the category of ‘degraded’ and ‘desolate’ as long as the Beit haMikdash is not built; the essence of Yerushalayim is the Beit haMikdash."
(Rav Tzvi Yehudah Kook, cited by Rav Shlomo Aviner, שלהבתיה pg. 5)
המצפה לישועה,
Mordechai
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Punishment for failure to mourn
Hi,
"Three sages sitting together said: If anyone knows anything about Kfar Sakhnia in Egypt, let him speak.
[One told of a betrothed couple, taken captive, who refused to touch each other without a halachic marriage. The two others told of their commitment to justice.]
"Abbaye asked Rav Yosef: If they were so righteous, why were they punished?
"Rav Yosef explained: They did not mourn for Jerusalem, as it is written, 'Be glad with Jerusalem and rejoice in her, all who love her; rejoice with her, all who mourn for her.'"
(Talmud, Gittin 57a)
המצפה לישועה,
Mordechai
"Three sages sitting together said: If anyone knows anything about Kfar Sakhnia in Egypt, let him speak.
[One told of a betrothed couple, taken captive, who refused to touch each other without a halachic marriage. The two others told of their commitment to justice.]
"Abbaye asked Rav Yosef: If they were so righteous, why were they punished?
"Rav Yosef explained: They did not mourn for Jerusalem, as it is written, 'Be glad with Jerusalem and rejoice in her, all who love her; rejoice with her, all who mourn for her.'"
(Talmud, Gittin 57a)
המצפה לישועה,
Mordechai
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
The breaching of the walls of Jerusalem
Hi,
"In the fourth month, on the ninth of the month, the famine strengthened in the city and there was no bread for the population. And the city was breached and the soldiers fled, and they departed the city via the gate between the walls by the king's garden, with the Chaldeans surrounding the city, and they traveled via the aravah."
(Yirmiyahu 52:6-7)
"Yirmiyahu spoke regarding the first Beit haMikdash, whereas in the time of the second Beit haMikdash the city was breached on the 17th of Tammuz. A braita corroborates this, saying, 'In the first Beit haMikdash the city was breached on the 9th of Tammuz. In the second, on the 17th of Tammuz.'"
(Talmud, Taanit 28b)
צום קל ומועיל,
Mordechai
"In the fourth month, on the ninth of the month, the famine strengthened in the city and there was no bread for the population. And the city was breached and the soldiers fled, and they departed the city via the gate between the walls by the king's garden, with the Chaldeans surrounding the city, and they traveled via the aravah."
(Yirmiyahu 52:6-7)
"Yirmiyahu spoke regarding the first Beit haMikdash, whereas in the time of the second Beit haMikdash the city was breached on the 17th of Tammuz. A braita corroborates this, saying, 'In the first Beit haMikdash the city was breached on the 9th of Tammuz. In the second, on the 17th of Tammuz.'"
(Talmud, Taanit 28b)
צום קל ומועיל,
Mordechai
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
The entrances of Gehennom
Hi,
I'm not certain what to draw from this, but I think it's interesting to contemplate:
"R’ Yirmiyah ben Elazar said: Gehennom [Hell] has three entrances – in the wilderness, in the sea, and in Jerusalem. In the wilderness as it is written, ‘And they, and all they had, descended alive in She’ol.’ In the sea as it is written, ‘I cried out from the belly of She’ol, and You heard my voice.’ In Jerusalem as it is written, ‘The word of Gd, who has light in Zion and an oven in Jerusalem.’ It was taught in the yeshiva of R’ Yishmael – The light is Gehennom, and the oven is the entrance to Gehennom."
(Talmud, Eruvin 19a)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
I'm not certain what to draw from this, but I think it's interesting to contemplate:
"R’ Yirmiyah ben Elazar said: Gehennom [Hell] has three entrances – in the wilderness, in the sea, and in Jerusalem. In the wilderness as it is written, ‘And they, and all they had, descended alive in She’ol.’ In the sea as it is written, ‘I cried out from the belly of She’ol, and You heard my voice.’ In Jerusalem as it is written, ‘The word of Gd, who has light in Zion and an oven in Jerusalem.’ It was taught in the yeshiva of R’ Yishmael – The light is Gehennom, and the oven is the entrance to Gehennom."
(Talmud, Eruvin 19a)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
The future of Jerusalem
Hi,
Yoel 4:17 says, "Jerusalem will be holy, and strangers will no longer pass through."
"“Strangers will no longer pass through” to harm them, as they had done until today. It is also possible that strangers will not enter Jerusalem because in the future her sanctity will grow. Just as one – even a Yisrael - may not enter the heichal, so the whole city will be holy, and strangers from the nations will not be permitted to enter."
(Radak to Yoel 4:17)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Yoel 4:17 says, "Jerusalem will be holy, and strangers will no longer pass through."
"“Strangers will no longer pass through” to harm them, as they had done until today. It is also possible that strangers will not enter Jerusalem because in the future her sanctity will grow. Just as one – even a Yisrael - may not enter the heichal, so the whole city will be holy, and strangers from the nations will not be permitted to enter."
(Radak to Yoel 4:17)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
The importance of respect
Hi,
"Rabbi Yitzchak said: Yerushalayim was destroyed only because they equated the small and the great, as it is written, “And as is with the nation, so will be with the kohen… and the land will be emptied out.”"
(Talmud, Shabbat 119b)
Have a good day,
Mordechai
"Rabbi Yitzchak said: Yerushalayim was destroyed only because they equated the small and the great, as it is written, “And as is with the nation, so will be with the kohen… and the land will be emptied out.”"
(Talmud, Shabbat 119b)
Have a good day,
Mordechai
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
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
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
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
The importance of Yerushalayim, 1963
Hi,
"Jerusalem is one of Israel’s oldest mountain cities, and it was an important center of settlement, a national center and a military center even before the Jewish kings established the land’s capital and religious center there. Over time it became sacred to Christianity as well; only Rome is known with the same type of holiness in their eyes. The tradition of holiness passed to the Muslims as well; in their eyes, only Mecca and Medina have greater holiness.
"However, there is no nation or religion in the world for which Jerusalem is holier or more important from a national and religious perspective than it is for the Jews. Israel and Jerusalem are nearly identical to the Jew; even if Israel is all holy, Jerusalem is holy of holies. The oath of the Babylonian exiles - “If I forget you, Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its strength, may my tongue stick to my palate if I do not remember you, if I do not elevate Jerusalem at the head of my joy” - does well to express the heartfelt emotions of the Jewish nation toward Jerusalem in almost all generations."
("Jerusalem" article in Maps of Israel, Published by IDF in 1963)
Yom Yerushalayim sameach,
Mordechai
"Jerusalem is one of Israel’s oldest mountain cities, and it was an important center of settlement, a national center and a military center even before the Jewish kings established the land’s capital and religious center there. Over time it became sacred to Christianity as well; only Rome is known with the same type of holiness in their eyes. The tradition of holiness passed to the Muslims as well; in their eyes, only Mecca and Medina have greater holiness.
"However, there is no nation or religion in the world for which Jerusalem is holier or more important from a national and religious perspective than it is for the Jews. Israel and Jerusalem are nearly identical to the Jew; even if Israel is all holy, Jerusalem is holy of holies. The oath of the Babylonian exiles - “If I forget you, Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its strength, may my tongue stick to my palate if I do not remember you, if I do not elevate Jerusalem at the head of my joy” - does well to express the heartfelt emotions of the Jewish nation toward Jerusalem in almost all generations."
("Jerusalem" article in Maps of Israel, Published by IDF in 1963)
Yom Yerushalayim sameach,
Mordechai
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
The sanctity of Jerusalem
Hi,
"Why do I say that in the Beit haMikdash and Yerushalayim the initial sanctity lasts for the future? Because their sanctity was a result of the presence of the Shechinah, which cannot be nullified. The sages said: It is written, ‘And I will destroy your sacred areas’ - Even when they are destroyed, they remain in their sanctity."
(Rambam, Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Beit haBechirah 6:16)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
"Why do I say that in the Beit haMikdash and Yerushalayim the initial sanctity lasts for the future? Because their sanctity was a result of the presence of the Shechinah, which cannot be nullified. The sages said: It is written, ‘And I will destroy your sacred areas’ - Even when they are destroyed, they remain in their sanctity."
(Rambam, Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Beit haBechirah 6:16)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Yerushalayim: The place of Gd's rest
Hi,
"For Gd has chosen Zion, He has desired it for His dwelling. 'This is My resting place eternally; here I dwell, for I have desired her.'"
(Tehillim 132:13-14)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
"For Gd has chosen Zion, He has desired it for His dwelling. 'This is My resting place eternally; here I dwell, for I have desired her.'"
(Tehillim 132:13-14)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Thursday, March 18, 2010
The foundation of Yerushalayim
Hi,
"The foundation of Yerushalayim was in the sanctity of the Torah, as it is written, 'For Torah will emerge from Zion, and the word of Gd from Yerushalayim.'"
(Netziv, Haamek Davar to Shemot 30:1)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
"The foundation of Yerushalayim was in the sanctity of the Torah, as it is written, 'For Torah will emerge from Zion, and the word of Gd from Yerushalayim.'"
(Netziv, Haamek Davar to Shemot 30:1)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Yom Yerushalayim - Anniversary of the Reunification of Jerusalem
Hi,
In honor of the 42nd Yom Yerushalayim, celebrated Friday, the 28th of Iyyar:
"Seek the peace of Jerusalem; may those who love you have peace."
(Psalms 122:6)
"May Gd bless you from Zion, and may you see the good of Jerusalem, all the days of your life."
(Psalms 128:5)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
In honor of the 42nd Yom Yerushalayim, celebrated Friday, the 28th of Iyyar:
"Seek the peace of Jerusalem; may those who love you have peace."
(Psalms 122:6)
"May Gd bless you from Zion, and may you see the good of Jerusalem, all the days of your life."
(Psalms 128:5)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Monday, January 5, 2009
Mourning for Jerusalem
Hi,
For the fast of the Tenth of Tevet, observed Tuesday January 6 this year:
"Anyone who mourns for Jerusalem will merit to see its joy!"
"Anyone who mourns for Jerusalem will merit to see its joy!"
(Talmud, Taanit 30a)
Although Jews are once again able to live in Jerusalem, until there is peace and until Jews are able to again serve Gd in the Beit haMikdash [Jerusalem Temple], it will not truly be considered rebuilt
Have an easy and meaningful fast,
Mordechai
Although Jews are once again able to live in Jerusalem, until there is peace and until Jews are able to again serve Gd in the Beit haMikdash [Jerusalem Temple], it will not truly be considered rebuilt
Have an easy and meaningful fast,
Mordechai
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Simchat Beit haShoevah: The Succot Water-Drawing celebration
Hi,
"Our sages taught: One who never saw the Simchat Beit haShoevah (the Water celebration in the Temple, conducted on Succot,) never saw joy. One who never saw Jerusalem in its glory never saw a beautiful city. One who never saw the standing Temple never saw a beautiful building."
(Talmud, Succah 51b)
Moadim l'Simchah,
Mordechai
"Our sages taught: One who never saw the Simchat Beit haShoevah (the Water celebration in the Temple, conducted on Succot,) never saw joy. One who never saw Jerusalem in its glory never saw a beautiful city. One who never saw the standing Temple never saw a beautiful building."
(Talmud, Succah 51b)
Moadim l'Simchah,
Mordechai
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