Iran's Shocking Attack on Jerusalem - Rabbi Daniel Glatstein

Iran sent a missile toward Arutz Yisrael, toward Israel. It fragmented. Part of it hit an area in the old city of Jerusalem, 300 to 400 m away from Koisel Hamaravi, away from the Har Habayis. We need to take this very personally. We do take this very personally. Yerushalayim is a living entity. It's not just a location, not just a center of the universe for the Jewish people. It's a living spiritual entity. Yerushalayim has feelings. When Klal Yisrael is in Yerushalayim, Yerushalayim rejoices. Misameach Tzion bevonaha. Amazingly, in 1836, an earthquake struck the northern region of Arutz Yisrael, Tzfas, Tiveria, Shchem. And it killed thousands, including Talmidei Chachamim. And the Chasam Sofer discussed this in a eulogy he gave in 1836. It's printed in Torahs Moshe at the end of Parshas Emor. And the Chasam Sofer says, the reason for the earthquake, he gives a bone-chilling explanation. He says, Kin'as Yerushalayim osisa es zeh. It was the jealousy of Yerushalayim, like a jealous co-wife. Yerushalayim was jealous that all the attention was being given to Tzfas and Tiveria, and she was being left like a widow. So, she was the one who rocked the area of Tzfas and Tiveria. We have a deep connection to Yerushalayim. Yerushalayim is like our wife. Yerushalayim is like our mother. The Gemara says in Megillah daf chof hei alef beis that in ancient times, one had a choice of which Haftorah to read on a particular Shabbos, and somebody chose to read the Haftorah of Yechezkel perek tes zayin pasuk beis, Hoida es Yerushalayim es to'avoseha. "Make known to Yerushalayim her abominations." And the Tana'im were stunned. That's the Haftorah that you choose to use to talk about the abominations of Yerushalayim? They told him, "Before you examine the abominations of Yerushalayim, examine your mother's abominations." They were shocked the Tana'im said that to him. He should examine the abominations of his mother. Yes. Because how dare you recite the verse as your verse of choice, Hoida es Yerushalayim es to'avoseha? You need to think of Yerushalayim as your beloved wife, as your mother. Would you ever say that about your mother? And therefore, if Yerushalayim is struck, you have to take it very personally. It's like your closest family member. And therefore, we do take it personally. And just like in 1836, Yerushalayim did not forget the attention the other cities were given. And she was not assuaged until recompense was delivered. You could be sure that the same will happen whenever the honor of Yerushalayim is desecrated. We should hear only besuros tovos lanu ul'chol Yisrael. Amen.