The Arzei Levanon of Jerusalem: Rebbe Shimon ben Gamliel
We famously commemorate the ten great martyrs, known as the asarah harugei malchut, every Tisha B’Av and Yom Kippur. These…
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Jerusalem in Ashes
Despite Chazal clearly explaining that the true reasons for the laws of parah adumah are ultimately inscrutable, the midrash provides…
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Every Jew is Holy: the Fundamental Error of Korach
In modern day Jewish discourse, it is a given that every Jew is holy. The inalienable sanctity of every member…
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Sinai and Moriah: Klal Yisrael Unites
Over the past months, I have written much about Jerusalem’s unique capability to unite Jews and bring Klal Yisrael together.…
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Sinai and Moriah: The Curtain Lifts
Last week, we discussed the metaphysical connection between Har Sinai and Har Moriah. The mountain on which the Torah was…
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Sinai and Moriah: a Mysterious Connection
If we haven’t already gotten the message of these weekly divrei Torah, Jerusalem is pretty much the center of everything…
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A Tale of Three Domes
Allow me to describe one of my favorite berachot to recite. When traveling to the Kotel HaMaravi from Sha’ar Tzion,…
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The Faithful City and Her Faithful Children
At the close of its exegesis of Sefer VaYikra, the Midrash Rabba discusses the incredible spiritual capabilities granted to one…
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Rebbe Shimon at the Entrance to Jerusalem
The Gemara Makkot (19b) has a lengthy discussion regarding the laws of ma’aser sheni. Farmers would separate this tithe, an…
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As Allies Turn Away, A New Light Shines in Tzion
As a Jew who recently made aliyah from America thinking that he understood the country he was leaving, I am…
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