YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Bamidbar
In the prophecy of Yirmiyahu, there is an allusion to the connection to Yerushalayim already from their post-Exodus period in the desert. "Go and call out in the ears of Yerushalayim: So says Hashem, I remember for you the kindness of your youth, the love of your nuptials, as you followed Me in the desert, in an uncultivated land" (2:2). The Vilna Gaon taught that this is a reference to "Jerusalem on high," whose gematria equals "Knesset Yisrael" (the full community of Israel).
Along these lines, we will try to understand the pasuk in Tehillim about Yerushalayim connectiveness. What does it connect? The Vilna Gaon teaches that Am Yisrael exists on two levels – the sum total of individuals who exist at any given time, in the physical world; a higher, spiritual element, called Knesset Yisrael, which remains, based in the Heavens, unchanged from generation to generation.
We proceed after the following introduction. After Bnei Yisrael entered the Land, for more than 400 years, it was unknown where is the "place that Hashem will choose," about which it says, "… for His presence you shall seek and shall come there" (Devarim 12:5). The answer, though, is already hinted at in Bereishit (22:2,4). He was to go to the Land of Moriah, and on the way, he "saw the place from a distance."
The person who revealed the place, after great effort and sleepless nights, was King David (see a description of these efforts in Tehillim 132:1-5). In Divrei Hayamim (I, 21:15-28) it tells how Bnei Yisrael were subjugated to a plague of pestilence, which was depicted by a destructive angel with a sword outstretched over Yerushalayim. To prevent further death, the navi received instruction from an angel that David should make an altar and sacrifice at the place of the silo of Ornan. After this stopped the plague, David was convinced that this was the place for service of Hashem.
This event taught not only where the exact place of the Mikdash needed to be, but also that this is the place of connection between the Heaven and the earth, between the spiritual and the physical, between Hashem and Knesset Yisrael, and between Yerushalayim on high and earthly Yerushalayim. This is the point of contact between true existence (the spiritual world) and lack of existence (the physical world). From this point on, the term Heaven and the term makom (place) became overlapping. (Notably, at a house of mourning, Ashkenazim bless that the Makom shall bring comfort, and Sephardim bless that comfort shall come from the Heaven.)
The descendants of Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov pray every day that we should merit to gain from the connection between the spiritual and physical worlds, in the place where Avraham bound Yitzchak. This is stressed by the pasuk that identifies the place of the Mikdash as Mt. Moriah (Divrei Hayamim II, 3:1).
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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
