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In the past we explained that Shlomo wanted everyone who would visit the Beit Hamikdash to know that the Divine Presence dwelled there, having gone down from the Heavens to the chosen place on Earth. When the special copper shined in the sun, it looked like chariots of fire had landed in the Beit Hamikdash’s courtyard, where they remained permanently, along with the Divine Presence.
We will now suggest another explanation. Shlomo wanted the visitors to the Beit Hamikdash to return to the status of Adam before his sin or Bnei Yisrael before their sin of the Golden Calf (see Nefesh Hachayim 1:6). As such, each one could be blessed with a revelation of the Divine Presence, making each one a prophet of sorts. At the revelation at Sinai, indeed everyone had reached such a state, as they heard at least the first two commandments directly from Hashem, giving them their own "sighting of the ma’aseh merkava (Divine Chariot)."
Let us put things in perspective. Ma’aseh merkava is a nickname for the few places in Tanach in which there is a description of a direct, to the extent possible, meeting with the Divine Presence. One can see the Chariot, not its Rider. The first such description was at Sinai (see Shemot 24:10-11). We next find it at the prophecy of Michayhu ben Yimla, a contemporary of Eliyahu, who said: "I saw Hashem sitting on His throne, and all of the beings of the Heaven were standing to His right and to His left" (Melachim I, 22:19). More than a hundred years later, Yeshayahu pronounced that he saw "Hashem sitting on a lofty throne and His bottom part filled the Temple" (Yeshayahu 6:1). More than a hundred years after that, Yechezkel told, "The Heaven was opened, and I saw divine sights" (Yechezkel 1:1; see also 10:1; 43:2-3, for more detailed descriptions).
Comparing the merkava with the mechonot, we conclude that Shlomo aimed to give every person who visited the Beit Hamikdash the feeling of "gazing at the pleasantness of Hashem and visiting His Temple" (Tehillim 27:4). This was facilitated by the special shining of the mechonot’s copper. On a deeper level, Shlomo went a step further than David, in Tehillim, and tried to give simpler people than the great prophets an experience that seemed somewhat parallel. On the one hand, this can elevate them spiritually. On the other hand, those who reach levels that are arguably too high for them, could be spiritually damaged (see Chagiga 14b). May we all merit being on the level that David Hamelech strove for.
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
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)
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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)
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: 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)
Chemdat Yamim The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
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
