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When Jerusalem was chosen, not only was it elevated in standing, but all other places experienced a disqualification. This concept is referred to in Divrei Hayamim (I, 22:1): "David said: This is the House of Hashem, the Lord, and this is the altar for sacrifices for Israel." This is to exclude other places. In fact, among the halachot that this impacts is that once "the place" begins operating as the center of service of Hashem, it becomes forbidden to bring sacrifices in any other place, as is spelled out in our parasha.
Chazal (mishna, Zevachim 14:4-8) spell it out as follows: "Before the Mishkan (Tabernacle) was erected, bamot (private altars) were permitted … Once the Mishkan was erected, the bamot were forbidden… They came to Gilgal (after crossing the Jordan), bamot were permitted… They came to Shilo (long-time home of the Mishkan), the bamot were forbidden … They came to Nov and Givon (after the destruction of the Mishkan in Shilo), the bamot were permitted … They came to Jerusalem, the bamot were forbidden and they no longer [had the chance] of being permitted."
Jerusalem was chosen not only by Hashem, but also by the Nation of Israel (Ramban, Parashat Shoftim). This happened after David succeeded in uniting the nation, as found expression in the fact that there was only one army.
The choosing of Jerusalem had, among other things, a historical and a geographic rationale. Historically, although at the time of Yehoshua, the city was captured and burned (see Yehoshua 10:23-26; ibid. 12:10; Shoftim 1:7-8), it remained a non-Jewish city (see ibid. 1:21). No Israelite tribe settled there until the time of David, and, in fact, the halacha is: "Jerusalem was not divided up among the tribes" (Yoma 12a). This helped enable it to be the city of all and the city of peace between all parts of the nation.
Geographically, Jerusalem is situated on the border between the regions assigned to the tribes of Yehuda and Binyamin (see Yehoshua 15:5). The "watershed line" was the border; nowadays it goes down Yafo Street, from Davidka Square to the Central Bus Station and along Route 1 to the west. North of this line belongs to Binyamin; south of it belongs to Yehuda. Since Binyamin is a child of Rachel and Yehuda is the leader of Leah’s sons, this makes the city ideal for national unity.
We now can answer the question from our title. Choosing one place for worship of Hashem to the exclusion of others can cause religious concerns to take a step back. Considering the centrality of korbanot in those days, imagine closing all shuls in the world except the Kotel! Nevertheless, the added national unity took precedence over religiosity. "Built-up Jerusalem, as a city that was connected together" (Tehillim 122:3) – it connects all the parts of the nation, and it connects Jerusalem on Earth with Jerusalem on High. When unity wins, the service of Hashem is also elevated, strengthened, and receives greater significance and depth.
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Chapter 8: The Customs of the Three Weeks
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
