What does it mean to "see the good of Jerusalem"? The phrase "the good of Jerusalem" has several levels of meaning. On one level, this phrase alludes to the idea that we should see the good in our own people, because Jerusalem is "us"! For example, when the Compassionate One asks Jeremiah to speak to our people, Jeremiah is told, "Go and call out in the ears of Jerusalem" (Jeremiah 2:2). Another reference to the idea that we are Jerusalem is found in the following verse and teaching cited by the Talmudic sage, Rav Nachman:

It is written, "The Builder of Jerusalem is the Compassionate One; He gathers in the dispersed of Israel" (Psalm 147:2). How does the Compassionate One build Jerusalem? Through gathering the dispersed of Israel! (Brochos 49a)

The essence of Jerusalem is not her shining stones; the essence of Jerusalem is her people. And even when the majority of our people have forgotten the Torah and her path of life-giving mitzvos, we are not to lose the ability to see "the good of Jerusalem" - our inner goodness which includes a potential for spiritual greatness. We are to therefore remember our history, and how we achieved this greatness in the past. This is why the Prophet Jeremiah was told by the Compassionate One that before rebuking our people, he should convey the following, uplifting message:

"Go and call out in the ears of Jerusalem, saying: Thus said the Compassionate One, 'I remember the lovingkindness of your youth, your love as a bride, when you followed Me into the Wilderness, into an unsown land. "(Jeremiah 2:2)

Even when rebuke became necessary, the Compassionate One saw "the good of Jerusalem" and remembered our love and faith when we followed our Beloved into the wilderness when we left Egypt; thus, the Prophet was told to call out in the ears of Jerusalem a message of love and hope. As human beings created in the Divine image, we should emulate the ways of the Compassionate One, as it is written, "You shall go in His ways" (Deuteronomy 28:9). We too must see "the good of Jerusalem" and bring to each other a message of love and hope. In this way, we can be the people that we are meant to be - a people that is destined to bring a new and great light to a darkened world. As the Compassionate One promised Jerusalem:

"For behold, darkness may cover the earth and a thick cloud the kingdoms, but upon you the Compassionate One will shine, and His glory will be seen over you. Nations will walk by your light and sovereigns by the brilliance of your dawn. (Isaiah 60:1-3)

Shalom,

Yosef Ben Shlomo Hakohen (See below)

Related Teachings and Stories.

1. Another name for Jerusalem is "Zion," as it is written, "And they shall call you the city of the Compassionate One, Zion of the Holy One of Israel" (Isaiah 60:14). And just as Jerusalem refers to the Jewish people, so too, Zion refers to the Jewish people, as it is written, "And to say unto Zion, 'You are My people!' " (Isaiah 51:16)

2. All of Jewish history, even the exile, is a mysterious process by which Hashem - the Compassionate One - is building Jerusalem. This is why we chant three times a day in the weekday Shemoneh Esrai prayer: "Blessed are you, Hashem, Who is building Jerusalem."

3. There is a Divine promise that even during periods of persecution and assimilation, the Torah will not be lost and forgotten, as it is written: "And as for Me, said the Compassionate One, this is My covenant with them: 'My spirit which is upon you and My words that I have placed in your mouth will not be withdrawn from your mouth nor from the mouth of your offspring nor from the mouth of your offspring's offspring from now and forever,' spoke the Compassionate One" (Isaiah 59:21 - Commentary of Rashi). The very fact that we are studying Torah together on this mailing list serves as a reminder of this Divine promise.

4. A Jerusalemite who fell in love with having Shabbat guests at his table each week has decided to branch out - and, together with dozens of host-families in his central-Jerusalem neighborhood, launched JewishMeals.org . Hazon participant, Ezra Halevi, shares with us the story at: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/news.php3?id=66773

5. "Dining with Dignity": Hazon participant, Sara Rigler, shares with us the moving story of a new restaurant in Jerusalem which feeds the needy with dignity: http://www.aish.com/jewishissues/israeldiary/Dining_with_Dignity.asp or visit: www.aish.com