The Blogs: The Centrality and Influence of Jerusalem

כִּי מִצִּיּוֹן

תֵּצֵא תוֹרָה,

וּדְבַר יְיָ מִירוּשָׁלָֽיִם.

For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XO6VcvnOGeY

So, I want to focus on the rebuilt Jerusalem being an inspiration to the world, not only in the historical religious role but also the way Jerusalem is a shining light to the world and leading by example in presenting Israel and Judaism as being more Spiritual, Kindness, and the adoption Technology Innovation for the betterment of mankind.

The battle for Jerusalem

We have recently seen an uptick in unrest in Jerusalem. We see continued terror by the Palestinians and Hamas who recently declared – we will not stop until Jerusalem is conquered.

They also declared that the site of our holy Temple is exclusive theirs. They express the desire for Jerusalem in a clear way.

The six-day war and the reunification of Jerusalem which we celebrate on Yom Yerushaliam led to a renewal not only of Israel as a State, but Jewish pride, the Balei Teshuva movement, and greater feelings of redemption. This was an inspiring event of epic proportions.

So, where is our longing and enthusiasm today. Why is there a sense on complacency?

I think we have forgotten what is so special about Jerusalem.

What does the concept of Jerusalem represent?

Jerusalem is the connection between Heaven and Earth.

We are seeing the great output of Hitech, MedTech, Biotech, Agtech, Drive Tech, Ai Innovation that is improving the quality and safety of life with so much of this Innovation coming from the wellsprings of Jerusalem.

And what about the Torah? We are seeing the time eternal truths of providing an ethical and social calling. These teachings are now being adopted by the world in the form UN SDG and ESG and the Impact Movement. I have written extensively on these concepts and we have seen the Startup Nation becoming the Impact Nation.

But this is not enough. Jerusalem needs to become the symbol of Tolerance and Peace.

Quoting from Reb Shlomo, the idea of the Temple in Jerusalem was a House of Love and Prayer for all the nations, all the people in world, and peace and justice for all.

Indeed, the soon to be completed Centre of Tolerance in Jerusalem hopes to meet this calling. https://www.museumoftolerance.com/ . We sing and talk about how the Torah should go out of Jerusalem. Well, the Museum with a strong base in Torah, History and Destiny drives its inspiration from Avraham Avinu and hopes to be a place of dialogue and Meeting place for all Jews, Peoples of Israel and the world

And now I want to bring up the battle between of Palestinians and Israel over Jerusalem. The Palestinians want Jerusalem for themselves only. We only need to look at what happened when Jordan controlled the Old City. Contrast with this today, where Israel allows all faiths to pray freely and there is mutual respect for all faiths.

Nowhere, is this more exemplified in Abrahamic Accords which is based in the Chesed and the role model of our common forefather Abraham.

May this shared vision of Peace and co-operation go out Jerusalem.