My Right Word: The Waqf JNF

Tuesday, August 07, 2012

The Waqf JNF

The tree that fell on the Temple Mount has been replaced:-

3 comments:

Laser said...: It seems to me that halakha would not permit planting a tree on the Temple Mount.; Tue Aug 07, 04:02:00 PM
YMedad said...: Devarim 16:21 reads "Do not plant an asheira tree of worship or any tree near the altar of Hashem your G-d that you make for yourselves".

As explained, The Torah warns the Jewish people not to plant any tree of worship next to the altar that is in the Temple. Rav Meir Simcha of Dvinsk lays down a fundamental principle in Torah philosophy. Hashem, owing to his absolute completeness is lacking nothing. His being and perfection are absolute. It is axiomatic that whatever occurs in creation, including our acts of righteousness or the opposite, can have neither fulfilling nor diminishing effect on the Creator...Rav Meir Simcha explains the prohibition of planting a tree next to the altar or even of using wood in the building of the alter. The altar had to be made of stone only. No wood was allowed to be incorporated in the altar. There is a basic distinction between these two materials. Stone is an inanimate object whereas wood is an animate object. One of the characteristics of animate objects is that they have the innate capacity to take in energy and matter in the form of food, liquid, light etc. from an outside source that they in turn utilize for growth of the organism. Inanimate objects do not have an innate capacity to receive energy or matter from outside sources to promote their own growth. If they do grow it is only because another inanimate object became inadvertently connected to them. The Torah is concerned that we might build the altar in a way that could be construed to mean that Hashem needs our offerings. Stone does not require any outside source of matter or energy to exist; it exists on its own. In constructing the altar only from stone and prohibiting the planting of any tree within the close vicinity of the altar we convey the basic tenant of Judaism that Hashem does not 'need' the altar nor the sacrifices that we offer upon it. Rather, the sacrifices are for our benefit to clear and cleanse our conscience and souls of turbidity and insubordination and to reconnect our physicality with its transcendent spiritual roots.

Of course, how "close" was that tree or if was perhaps actually outside the 500 cubit limit, I do not know or if it makes a difference.; Tue Aug 07, 05:41:00 PM
Anonymous said...: very nice pshat!

BTW we all have part in planting the tree cause it is in our hands to stop it.; Wed Aug 08, 12:31:00 AM