Page 37 - HaMizrachi #8 Pesach

Places in Israel

Ruchama Alter

GOING UP

to Jerusalem

s Pesach approaches, we and as the Gemara relates in Pesachim, Jericho, and proceed through Ma’ale
begin our preparations for the girls were more motivated than boys, Adumim to Jerusalem.
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A holiday and we look forward and they sometimes won the race.
to welcoming thousands of visitors Once they arrived in Jerusalem, they 7
who come to Israel to celebrate. Festive Several practices were instituted to assist would be housed in various synagogues,
Jerusalem is a treat to anyone who has the travelers. For example, on the first and in camps outside town. The
visited during this time. But have you of Adar, the collection of the half shekel Jerusalemites opened their homes to
ever tried to imagine what Pesach was began and in mid-Adar, messengers guests, and the halachah prohibited them
like 2,000 years ago, when the Temple were sent out to fix the potholes on the from accepting a fee. The olei regel repaid
was standing? Have you ever wondered roads, and to ensure that there was water their kindness by gifting them the hides
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how many olei regel (Jewish pilgrims) available along the route. In the Judean of the korbanot they sacrificed. 8
came, and on which roads they traveled? Desert we have found cisterns dating In an effort to create unity among the
Where did they all stay, and what was back to that time period. These cisterns
daily life like? were kept locked the entire year, and pilgrims, the Sages suspended tumah
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only opened by the Beit Din messengers (impurity) for the holiday! That
The obligation of Aliyah LaRegel (lit. to serve the olei regel. The mikvehs along enabled all Jews – the chaverim – who
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going up by foot) pertained to males the road were cleaned so that people were careful about ritual purity, and the
who lived within the borders of Israel. who wanted to bypass the long lines in Amei HaAretz – who were not, to dine
However, Jews came from as far as Jerusalem would be able to use them. together in harmony.
Babylon and Rome in very impressive However, by using these roadside ritual
numbers to fulfill this mitzvah. For baths to purify oneself, one ran the The joy of the chag, the sharing of the
security reasons, they would travel risk of unknowingly becoming impure Korban Pesach, the comradery displayed
together. The number of olei regel must by the Jerusalemites – all combined to
have been significant, since we know should he, further down the road, walk make this occasion spectacular. As we
that if the caravans were delayed, the next to a tomb without realizing it. all join in prayer in our own shuls thus
Sanhedrin in Jerusalem could declare The Beit Din foresaw this possibility Pesach, let us envision the grandeur of
a leap year, to provide them with an and directed that tombs be newly the occasion that will be, G-d-willing, in
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additional month of travel. Josephus whitewashed, and thus visible to the olei the future – ה ָּ ל ִ ח ְּ ת ַ ב ְּ כ ּוני ֵ מ ָי ׁש ֵ ּ ד ַ ח – restore
relates that on Pesach 70 CE, just prior regel, who could then avoid them. our days as in the beginning.
to the destruction of Jerusalem by There were several major routes that the
Titus, the city welcomed hundreds of pilgrims could have taken on their way
thousands of visitors despite the danger to Jerusalem. Coming from the north, 1 Jerusalem Talmud, Shvi'it 10:1.
of travel in wartime. 2
via Shechem, was not a popular route 2 Wars, Book 6, 9:3.
Although not obligated, women came during the Second Temple period. The 3 Rambam, Laws of Chagigah 1.
in large numbers as well, and once hostile Samaritans settled that area and 4 Pesachim 89a.
they arrived in Jerusalem, they were thus the path was fraught with danger. 5 Shekalim 1:1.
required to bring a Korban Simcha (a joy Instead, although slightly longer, many 6 Jerusalem Talmud, Shekalim 1:1.
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offering). Beit Hillel obligated children olei regel would travel along the King’s 7 Teodotus Inscription, City of David.
to come from the time they were able to Highway. It ran along the Jordan River 8 Avot DeRabbi Natan, (Version 1), Chap.35.
walk to Jerusalem holding their parent’s and offered the advantages of flat terrain, 9 Jerusalem Talmud, Chagiga 3:6.
hand, and Beit Shammai obligated them an unlimited water supply, and friendly
to do so as soon as they were able to sit Jewish communities. When the travelers Ruchama Alter is a licensed Israeli tour
on their father’s shoulders. Incentives would reach the area north of the Dead guide and lecturer, and a member of
were offered to children who came first, Sea, they would cross the Jordan towards the Mizrachi Tour Guides Bureau

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