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I was asked to lecture on the subject of Jerusalem. I wished to avoid complications. Since I dislike conflict and confrontations, and abhor provocations, I decided to speak only about Jerusalem in the past, and not address the present and future.
I began the lecture with a presentation, explaining about Har HaMoriah, the Binding of Isaac, and where the Temple stood. Suddenly – pandemonium! Shouting! Kadis on the rampage! I couldn't understand what the uproar was all about; after all - I hadn't said a thing yet… One of the kadis rose and said: "The Temple never stood on the so-called 'Temple Mount'!"
I told him: "The presence of the Temple on the Temple Mount is simply indisputable – both historically and archaeologically. There are even ancient Moslem sources which state this clearly." But he would not budge and continued to yell: "The Temple was never there!"
Realizing I could not convince him, I asked: "Why are you so angry? Why do you care where the Temple stood?" His answer was: "If the Temple was where you say it was, it means that you were there before us, and if so – we would have to relinquish and turn the place over to you!"
* * *
"Yerushalayim must be sought after". The Mishna (Tractate Rosh Hashana p.30a) requires that we actively "perpetuate the memory of the Mikdash". This is the reason for R' Yochanan ben Zakai's decree to shake the Four Species everywhere (and not only in theMikdash) during Sukkot. The Talmud asks what the Scriptual source for this practice is, and bases it on a pasuk from the book of Yirmiyahu:
"Where do we learn that one must 'make a remembrance for the Mikdash'? It is written 'For I will restore health unto thee and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the Lord, because they have called thee an outcast: She is Zion, there is none that seeketh her out' – thus implying that Zion must be sought after."
Why do we need a pasuk to teach us to remember the Mikdash in practice? Is it not self-evident?
It seems that not only does the pasuk enable us to remember the Mikdash in practice – it also defines what constitutes a remembrance. The simple understanding is that this causes us to remember the past. However, the serious problem with memory is that we usually remember things of the past – that can never be again. The most obvious of them is a person who passed away (of course we await tchiyat hametim, the resurrection of the dead, but at the present time this is a memory of the past).
The pasuk in Yirmiyahu makes it very clear that we must remember Yerushalayim and theMikdash not only as something in our past – but rather looking towards the future – as something that must be sought after! Our memory causes us to seek Yerushalayimpersistently, to be constantly aware that she is ours – and that eventually she will return to us in her entirety! This is not only a nostalgic memory of our past – it is a yearning for the future, a quest – "Speedily shall the Mikdash be built"!
Yerushalayim must be sought after! If we understand this – then, please G-d and with the aid of many heartfelt prayers, we will merit seeing the swift re-building of Yerushalayim:
"And to Yerushalayim, your city, may you return with compassion, and may You dwell within it, as You have spoken. May You rebuild it soon, in our time, as an everlasting structure!"
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
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Shoftim TESHUVA IN COURT OF LAW?
Parshat Shoftim-Chodesh Elul
Why does parshat Shoftim always come out during Elul? This innovative and central explanation is an eye-opener regarding many aspects of Judaism.
The Month of Elul TESHUVA IS THE ANSWER
The month of Elul serves as a vital time for self-reflection and personal accountability to prepare for true repentance.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Re'e NEVER EXTREME EXCEPT ISRAEL
Parshat Re'eh
Judaism is against extremism, so how can we understand the seemingly extreme statements found in our sages in favor of living in the Land of Israel and against living in Chutz laAretz? The article deals with the seeming contradiction between the strength of Free-Will and the strength of being influenced by our surroundings.
Ekev DANCE FOR ISRAEL- FOR YOUR BENEFIT
Parshat Eikev
Description: The 7 Haftarot we read after Tisha B'Av ("Shiva D'Nichemta") surely get us excited that they're coming TRUE, and awaken us to yearn, dance & join the return to Zion! The short article also deals with the problems and solutions facing the American Jewish community as discussed at a recent panel, as well as the question why Jews come from America to Israel to help when we face problems, but Israelis don't come to aid Jews in America when they face anti-Semitism.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
