Shlomo’s Journey: Givon to Jerusalem
This week’s haftorah opens with Shlomo HaMelekh awakening from his famous dream in which Hashem promises him unparalleled divine wisdom…
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U’Phartzu Chomot Migdali: The Exclusive Right to Jerusalem
The ubiquitous song of Maoz Tzur, sang in many households after the lighting of neirot Chanukah, describes in detail the…
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The Bizarre Holiday of Rome
The Gemara (Avodah Zarah 11b) tells us of a curious holiday that was celebrated in Rome every seventy years. In…
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The Sun of Yaakov and Brilliance of Jerusalem
As Yaakov departs for his uncle’s house in Haran, he encounters “the place” and stays there for the night “ki…
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Jerusalem and Rome: The Clash of Tzniut and Chitzoniut
As we progress further into Sefer Bereishit, we turn from the rivalry of Yitzchak and Yishmael to the struggle between…
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Ornan’s Threshing Floor: The Purchase of an Exclusive Relationship
Our parsha opens with the account of Avraham Avinu’s purchase of a burial plot for Sarah Immeinu. Seeking to bury…
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The Akeidah and Jerusalem’s Pillar of Holy Fire
The famous story of the akeidah is familiar to us: Avraham Avinu is called upon by God to bring his…
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The Battle, the Bread, and the Wine of Jerusalem
Ma’aseh Avot Siman L’Banim, the actions of the forefathers are a sign for the children. Four kings, led by Amraphel…
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The Lowly Jew’s Fire for Jerusalem
The Midrash Rabbah (Noach, 32) recounts a bizarre story about the great Tannaitic sage Rebbe Yonatan, who was a principal…
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What can we do for Eretz Yisrael now?
I’ll be honest. After a week of standing in stairwells or bomb shelters with children in my arms, after a…
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