בס”ד
By Rabbi Moshe Goodman, Kollel Ohr Shlomo, Hebron
Painting by: Baruch Nachshon z”l
And You Shall Settle Upon the Land Securely
This painting seems to describe Zion at the top of the hill. This hill has six cypresses at its top and there is also a seventh “sprout” at the hill’s bottom, highlighting the common number seven theme in many of R’ Nachshon’s paintings. Kabbalistyically, the seventh aspect corresponds to the sefira of malchut, called also the “small Davidic” aspect, an aspect considered also “below” the other six sefirot, a matter that may explain why this sprout is seen at the bottom of the hill. Notice also that this hill is depicted as “detached” from the “earth” at the bottom of the painting. Indeed, the Torah considers the Temple Mount “detached” from the rest of earth, as can be seen in the halachic ruling based on the verse “you shall not make a prostrating stone in your land.” Our Sages interpret this verse to mean that “in your land” you shall not make, but on the earth of the Temple Mount one is to make and prostrate on stone, for the Temple Mount is “aloof” from the rest of the earth. We see people “rising” to the Temple in pilgrimage, and as if in parallelism drops of water ready to “descend” upon the Temple Mount, as if describing a dynamic where water, symbolizing blessing and kindness, comes and descends upon earth through the efforts of Israel to rise to the holy and the “heavenly Divine” signified by the Temple.
This parsha describes how there are levels in closeness to the sanctity of the Temple. Closest is the Kohen, then the Levi, and then the Yisrael. We can explain that only when these differentiations are made, does the Divine blessing “descend” upon Israel and the world in proper “channeling,” giving all matter its proper mission that comes through then proper blessing to all matter. For example, blessing channeled to an improper place where it is not needed or misused would not be considered true blessing.
One of the differentiations between Kohen, Levi, and Yisrael can also be seen in the allocations of land in the Holy Land. The Kohanim and Levites do not receive large plots of land for agricultural use. Rather, they are allocated for less “earthly” tasks, and instead they have special cities in the Holy Land. Yet still, there are special cities meant for the Kohanim specifically, apparently due to their special holy status. One famous place allocated only for the Kohanim is the Kodesh/”Azara” of the Temple. Yet another place is the holy city of Hebron, a Kohanic city and a Refuge City as well, bringing the kindness of the Patriarchs – and also the kindness inherent with the Kohanim according to the Kabbalah – to care for even negligent murderers.