Jerusalem: The Ultimate Connector

 

In Tehillim Chapter 122 it says: יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֥ם הַבְּנוּיָ֑ה כְּ֜עִ֗יר שֶׁחֻבְּרָה־לָּ֥הּ יַחְדָּֽו: The built-up Jerusalem is like a city that was joined together within itself.

      On a technical note this may refer to the fact that Jerusalem, unlike every other city, was not assigned to any specific tribe. Rather, Yerushalayim remained the property of the entire Jewish nation. Rabbeinu Yona explains that the description of Jerusalem as “joined together” refers to the fact that it was a well-planned city. Its designers had the foresight to provide enough space for all of those who would need to make pilgrimage three times per year. The Seforno adds that when the city needed to be expanded, new additions blended in perfectly together with the established neighborhoods, thereby creating an esthetic of unity. Jerusalem also served as a unifying social force. Due to the Beit Hamikdash, a wide variety of Jews would converge in Jerusalem for the Three Regalim, or when bringing other korbanot. Being in proximity to so many Jews from different places enhanced the sense of cohesion and unity across Am Yisrael.

      Today during prayer, Jews across the globe face towards Jerusalem. Jerusalem is the soul of the Jewish People. We need the unifying power of Jerusalem today, now more than ever. CoVID has left many people feeling more alone and disconnected. Today’s political climate seems to reward extremism and discord. This “all or nothing” attitude has seeped into our communities as well. Compromise has become a dirty word. We live in echo chambers, rarely exposed to ideas that challenge our assumptions. Jerusalem – the city and the symbol – challenge these ideas and encourage us to find ways to connect with each other, with our nation and with our God.

      I was recently invited by the Jewish Agency for Israel to participate in a pilot project Kehillot Mitchabrot. The “Kehilot Mitchabrot” – “Connecting Communities” project aims to create warm relationships between rabbis and their communities in Israel to their counterparts overseas. The program is a joint venture of Gesher, World Organization of Orthodox Communities and Synagogues, The Jewish Agency, Igud Rabanei Kehilot, Ase Lecha Rav and the Barkai Center for Practical Rabbinics.

      I was matched with Rav Yehonatan Sanders from Alonei Habashan. Alonei Habashan is a moshav in the eastern Golan, closer to Damascus than Jerusalem. Rav Sanders and I have had the pleasure of speaking by WhatsApp and Zoom over the last few months. We look forward to strengthening our connection, with the hope that Jews in Hollywood, Florida and Alonei Habashan will get to know each other and strengthen the ties of achdut among Am Yisrael.

      How appropriate that our first joint program will be on Yom Yerushalayim (Israel time). Please join me on Sunday afternoon via Zoom at 12:45 PM (7:45 PM Israel time) for a festive Tefilah in honor of Yom Yerushalayim, live from Alonei Habashan. Following the tefilah, there will be brief Divrei Torah from me and Rav Sanders. To access the Zoom meeting click here:

https://zoom.us/j/99580547957?pwd=ek9tQTNUcFcvNGJwQnFmaDZzdGJxQT09

Meeting ID: 995-8054-7957       Passcode: XSm94L

      Monday marks the 54^th anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem under Jewish sovereignty. The 6 Day War saw the Israeli army overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges and miraculously reach a victory over her enemies. Jerusalem is not just a destination, it is also an ideal; challenging us to find ways to connect.