בס”ד
By Rabbi Moshe Goodman, Kollel Ohr Shlomo, Hebron
Painting by: Baruch Nachshon z”l
In this painting we see signs of the present Jerusalem along with the future Jerusalem. The image of the future Jerusalem along with the Beit Hamikdash is seen as a figure wearing a seven-pronged crown and a tallit. At the bottom of the painting we also see a figure crowned, seemingly the King Mashiach. Apparently this dual regal theme seems to express the Kingdom of Earth corresponding to the Kingdom of Heaven. In other words, when Israel’s rule and sovereignty are greatened so too there is an enhancement and greater revelation of Hashem’s rule as “King” over the world. This parsha carries the section that talks about the commandment to appoint a king. Indeed, this parsha coincides every year with the month of Elul, when we awaken our alertness to Hashem’s kingship over the world, especially towards Rosh Hashana. We also see in this painting numerous shofars, the instrument of Rosh Hashana associated with heralding Hashem’s kingship.
Next to the Beit Hamikdash we see two candles which seem to hint to the teaching of the Sages that “if you keep the lights of Shabbat I will show you the lights of Zion.” We also see a havdala candle along with a flag coming from the Tower of David, an image that seems to hint to common spice containers used for havdala. It could be that the reason the Havdalah theme is used here is to indicate that Jerusalem and the Temple Mount have many gradations – “havdalot” – in space similar to how havdala differentiates in time between Shabbat and the weekday.
Hebron is the cradle of the Davidic regal line, being the first city King David, according to Hashem’s direction by the Urim veTumim. Let us then support this stronghold of Israel’s sovereignty in the Holy Land also today, and thereby also manifest Hashem’s kingship upon all earth, especially at this auspicious time.