Uniting Jerusalem, Uniting the Nation of Israel

          In Hebrew, the suffix “ayim” denotes double (as in einayim = eyes; raglayim = legs, etc.) The form of the name Yerushalayim, therefore implies two Jerusalems. Indeed, the 13^th century Biblical commentator, Rabbenu Beḥayye, explains the name to refer to the heavenly and earthly Jerusalems. The Holy City’s name itself perhaps teaches that it is incumbent upon us to strive to unite the two Jerusalems, to endow the earthly city with a spiritual aspect as well.

          While it is our job to unite the two Jerusalems, Jerusalem itself is involved in uniting the Jewish People. Our Sages consistently make it clear that this is Jerusalem’s role in history, its goal and destiny, are to unite the People of Israel, telling us:

It is Jerusalem which connects Israel one to another (literally “makes friends”).                       Jerusalem Talmud, Bava Kama 7:7

          Further, it is Jerusalem which unites all of Jewish history. Rabbi Akiva commented:

Eternity (v’hanetzach) [I Chronicles 29:11]: this is Jerusalem.                                     Babylonian Talmud, Brachot 58a

          Rabbi Joseph Dov Soloveichik explained that the definition of eternity is the convergence of all time: when past, present and future exist simultaneously. This, Rabbi Akiva taught us, refers to Jerusalem. It is in Jerusalem, and in my humble opinion, only in her, that the Jewish past, present and future will meet.