Change That Radio Dial

(Adapted from the teachings of Rabbi Richman)

Want to know why the world is in such disarray? Look at the Temple Mount.

Last week’s parsha included the Akeidah, the binding of Isaac. Most of you probably know that the Akeidah happened on what's now known as the Temple Mount. Avraham had a different name for it, though. After Hashem intervened and provided Avraham a ram for slaughter, the narrative says, “And Avraham called the name of that site ‘Hashem Yireh,’ as it is said this day, on the mountain Hashem will be seen,” Bereishis/Genesis 22:14.

Yerushalayim, or Jerusalem is a combination of two words. Shem first named the place Shalem, meaning “complete or perfect.” And then Abraham named the place Yireh, meaning “fear of Heaven/G-d.” G-d acquiesced, as it were, to both men and the place became known as Yerushalayim, which means “perfect or complete fear of Heaven/G-d.”

Note that Bereishis 22:14 says, “as it is said this day” leading the reader to understand that even to this day, the place that the perfect fear of Hashem will be seen is the Temple Mount.

The Temple Mount is literally the broadcasting station of where the energy and concept of the perfect fear of Hashem is emitted to the world. One look at the Temple Mount today reveals why the broadcast of that concept is being severally distorted.

“The Temple Mount is in our hands! I repeat, the Temple Mount is in our hands!” That was General Rabbi Shlomo Goren’s, ecstatic reaction to the liberation of the Temple Mount in 1967. Sadly though, we know of Moshe Dayon’s reaction too. Dayan immediately ceded administrative control of the Temple Mount to the Arabs.

The dial to the "radio broadcast” emitting from the Temple Mount was so close to being changed in 1967. Yet, the violent laden religion of Islam continues to distort the energy coming from the gateway of Heaven. May Hashem, in His great mercy, afford the Jews the courage, boldness, and wisdom to take back their rightful role as spiritual administrators of the Temple Mount.

The last few parshas plainly state who Hashem gave the land of Israel to. Jerusalem and the Temple Mount are the very heart of the land and belong to the Jews. Will this be the year that Israel’s leaders and citizens care more about what Hashem has to say about the Temple Mount rather than what world leaders have to say about it? Will this be the year that Israel’s leaders and citizens stop prostrating themselves before the U.N., the U.S. and the Muslims and instead prostrate themselves before Hashem?

The world is in desperate need of being shown the perfect fear of Hashem. Look to the rock from which you were hewn, Israel. You have an amazing heritage. It’s time you started acting like it. It's time to take back the site "Hashem Yireh." G-d gave it to you. Don't you want it?