Page 10 - HaMizrachi #10 Yom Yerushalayim - Shavuot 5779
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ASK THE RABBI
Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon
theWQhaadtisBionthCeyrperdus?
Afew years ago, I went to Cyprus And he answered: “Because if the the rich and vibrant spiritual reality it
for a meeting of religious Temple was on the Temple Mount, represented.
leaders – rabbis, priests and then you were there before us, and so
qadis from Israel. The purpose of the we must evacuate the place and give it But when it comes to memory there
trip was to talk about topics we have to you!” is a great concern. People usually
in common, in order to reduce the remember things that were and can
existing tensions and increase calm ••• no longer be. Obviously the most
and mutual respect in Israel. prominent is a memorial day for
“Jerusalem at the forefront of our the dead (of course, we expect the
I was asked to give a lecture about minds.” How does one make that resurrection of the dead, but in the
Jerusalem. I decided not to get into happen? The Mishna (Rosh Hashanah simple, immediate sense it is about the
trouble. I do not like provocations, 85a) says that a “remembrance of the memory of a past that is no longer.)
shouting arguments or quarrelling with Mikdash” is required, and therefore
people. So I decided to only talk about Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai The verse makes it clear that
Jerusalem of the past, and not relate to mandated that the Four Species be remembering Jerusalem is not a
the present or the future at all. taken throughout the entire week of reminder of the past, but rather that
Sukkot and in every place (not only in it must be face to face with the future.
I began the lecture with a presentation the Temple). We remember in order to demand
and explanation of Mount Moriah, the and to assert, to keep in mind that
site of the Akeida (Binding of Isaac), The Talmud asks why we need to Jerusalem is always ours and that it
and the explanation of where the remember the Mikdash and bases will, G-d willing, be returned to us.
Temple was. And suddenly… shouts! this remembrance on the verse from This is not just a memory of the past,
Riots! Screams! The qadis were going Jeremiah (30:17): but a longing and a demand that “the
wild. I didn’t understand what the fuss Temple will soon be built.”
was all about. I had barely begun... ִּכי ַא ֲע ֶלה ֲאֻר ָכה ָל ְך ּו ִמ ַּמ ּכ ֹו ַת ִי ְך ֶאְר ָּפ ֵא ְך ְנ ֻאם ה’ ִּכי
.ִנ ָ ּד ָחה ָקְרא ּו ָל ְך ִצ ּי ֹון ִהיא ּ ֹדֵר ׁש ֵאין ָל ּה Jerusalem needs to be at the forefront
One of the qadis stood up and said: of our minds. If things are clear to
“The Temple was not on the Temple “For I will restore health to you, And I us, then G-d willing and with many
Mount!” will heal you of your wounds, says the prayers, we will soon merit the
L-rd; because they have called you an building of Jerusalem.
I told him: “It is a simple fact that the outcast: ‘She is Zion, there is none that
Temple was on the Temple Mount – a cares for her.’” ְו ִתׁ ְש ּכ ֹון ְּבתוׁ ָכ ּה,ְו ִליר ּו ׁ ָש ַל ִים ִעיְר ָך ְּבַר ֲח ִמים ָּתׁש ּוב
clear historical fact, an archaeological ּו ְב ֵנה א ֹו ָת ּה ְּב ָקר ֹוב ְּב ָי ֵמינ ּו ִּב ְנ ַין,ַּכ ֲא ׁ ֶשר ִ ּד ַּבְר ָּת
fact, and there are also ancient Muslim Why does a verse need to teach us that
sources that cite this very clearly.” we need a memorial of the Temple? .ע ֹו ָלם
Isn’t that obvious?
But he stood firm, declaring: “The “To Jerusalem, Your city, may You
Temple was not on the Temple It turns out that it is not enough return with mercy and dwell in the
Mount!” that the verse allows us to create midst of it, as You have spoken, and
a remembrance of the Mikdash, build it soon and in our days.”
When I saw that I could not convince but rather it must define what
him, I asked him, “Why do you care constitutes a remembrance. The Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon is Head of Mizrachi’s
where the Temple was? Why are you simple understanding is that we Shalhevet Educational Advisory Board and
so angry?” mentally remember the Temple; we Chairman of Sulamot
internally remember what it was and
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