Published March 25, 2010
In this day and age when our detractors are seeking our demise and when the so-called free nations of the world urge the destruction of settlements in the Land of Israel and the denigration of our holy places, it is surely time for us to rekindle the spark that attaches us to Yerushalayim and the Beit HaMikdash.
For doesn’t the rededication of the Hurva Shul in the Old City symbolize a return of sorts to our former glory? And when daily in our prayers we beseech Hashem to restore and rebuild Yerushalayim, are we not declaring, de facto, that Yerushalayim is both the geographical and metaphysical source of all our longings as a Jewish people?
When we read in Parshat Tzav that the fire on the Altar was never to dwindle and that fires on the Mizbe’ach were to remain lit continuously, surely we are being taught that a fire must burn in our hearts for all generations. Not surprisingly, therefore, the Mid- rash teaches us that when a person repents (and brings the Olah, the elevation-offering), it is regarded as if he went up to Yerushalayim, and rebuilt the Temple and the Mizbe’ach, and brought on it all the offerings of the Torah!
Shabbat Shalom, Menachem Persoff
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