Parshat Re'eh

Dear STOCS Friend,

Thank God, we received the wonderful news that Qaid Farhad Alkadi, 52, has been rescued by the IDF. We pray that this is just the beginning, and that we will soon hear more good news about other hostages being freed.

In the Torah and the prophets, the phrase לפני השם ("Before the Lord") often refers to the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Rabbi Soloveitchik teaches that this phrase signifies the deep connection between Jerusalem's elevated status and that of the Holy Temple.

The world seems to forget the undeniable right and claim we, the Jewish people, have to Jerusalem, the Holy City. When our enemies claim that there was never a Jewish presence on the Temple Mount or in Jerusalem, they deny the truth. The Temple Mount is the holiest site in Judaism. Both the First and Second Holy Temples stood upon this mountain until their destruction, and we believe the Third Temple will be built there speedily in our days.

Though the Beit Hamikdash was destroyed, Jerusalem remains central in our prayers and is the direction we face when we stand לפני השם ("before the Lord") in supplication.

I eagerly await the day when all Jews will gather at the Third Holy Temple, peace will come to Israel, and all the hostages will be safely home with their families.

I look forward to seeing you in shul.

Shabbat Shalom