- All the Questions
Cyrus the Great & the Jerusalem Wall of 2nd Temple
Question
a. In Ezra 9:9, the word for "wall" that is used is "gader". Does "gader" indicate that this wall was like a "fence", and therefore not a protective wall, or, "chomah"? Meaning that the Second Temple had no protective wall?
b. Also, if the humanitarian values of Cyrus the Great was the reason for the end of the Babylonian Exile, and the reason for the building of the Second Temple, then why are there no holidays celebrating him?
Answer
a. In fact, the fence mentioned there in Ezra refers to symbolically acquiring the land through working and constructing, but as of then, there was conspicuously no protective wall around Jerusalem (see also Nechemia 2, 17). That was until Nechemia constructed it (ibid, ch. 3), and then it was enlarged several times, afterwards.
b. Cyrus allowed and even encouraged the Jews to return to Israel and build the Second Temple, nevertheless, we believe that God, and not he, was the reason and the cause. We consider him, as all historic figures like Lord Balfour and Baron Rothschild, as messengers of God. They have deservedly gone down in history, and we thank/ed them profusely, but holidays are reserved for thanking God, who really runs the show, and enables those righteous to succeed in helping Israel succeed.

Does God Have Feelings?
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Tevet 24, 5783

Was Rabbi Akiva's torture a punishment?
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Shevat 15, 5783

Cutting hair after lag bomer
Rabbi David Sperling | Iyyar 17, 5772

Destruction of the Tabernacle
Rabbi Elchanan Lewis | 13 Adar I 5765

Rabbi Ari Shvat
Lectures at various yeshivot, michlalot and midrashot. Has published many books & Torani articles and is in charge of Rav Kook’s archives.

Delaying aliya for career and studies
Adar II 25, 5771

Fasting or giving Tzedaka on seeing Sefer Torah fallen
Shevat 7, 5771

Birkat Hamazon - extra verses
Adar II 25, 5771

baruch hamavdil
Adar I 23, 5771

Carrying House Keys
Rabbi David Sperling | Sivan 14, 5774

Horizontal line over a Hebrew letter
Rabbi David Sperling | Iyyar 14, 5774

Sleeping position and removing shoes
Rabbi David Sperling | Elul 20, 5779

Temani Pronunciation with Different Gimel (Jimel)
Rabbi David Sperling | Shevat 24, 5778

Dairy mug and meat sponge
Rabbi Yoel Lieberman | Shevat 10, 5783

Was Rabbi Akiva's torture a punishment?
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Shevat 15, 5783

How can someone change their community?
Rabbi David Sperling | Shevat 11, 5783
