Behar-Bechukotai: Jerusalem

(31) And I will make your cities a waste, and will bring your sanctuaries unto desolation, and I will not smell the savor of your sweet odors.

(4) 4) Similarly, (Vayikra 26:31) "And I will make desolate the land." I might think, ("desolate") of man. But in (Ibid. 32) "And I will lay waste your cities," man is already stated. How, then, am I to understand "And I will make desolate the land"? Of passersby. Similarly, "and I will make desolate your sanctuaries." I might think ("desolate") of offerings. But in (Ibid.) "and I will not smell your sweet savors," offerings are already stated. How, then, am I to understand "and I will make desolate your sanctuaries"? Of troops (of festival pilgrims).

(6) There are ten degrees of holiness. The land of Israel is holier than any other land. Wherein lies its holiness? In that from it are brought the omer [barley offering brought on the second day of Passover], the first fruits, and the two loaves [offered on Shavuot], which may not be brought from any other land.

(7) The walled cities are still more holy, in that they must send forth the metzoraim from their midst, and they may carry around a corpse therein as far as necessary, but once it is taken out, they may not bring it back.

(8) Inside the wall [of Jerusalem] is more holy than these, because there the less holy [offerings] and the second tithe are eaten. The Temple Mount has greater sanctity, because men and women with discharges, menstruating women, and women who have given birth may not enter there. The Cheil [a low fence around the Temple, which served as a boundary, beyond which entry to those impure was prohibited] has higher sanctity, because gentiles and people contaminated with corpse impurity may not enter there. The women's courtyard has higher sanctity, because a tevul yom may not enter there, but they are not liable for a sin offering for doing so. The Israelites' courtyard has higher sanctity, because one who lacks atonement may not enter there, and is liable for a sin offering for doing so. The priests' courtyard has higher sanctity, because the Israelites may not enter there except at the time of their [ritual] requirements: the laying on of hands, the slaughter, and the wave-offering.

(4) To keep thee by the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared (Exod. 23:20). This one verse from Scripture makes it evident that the earthly Temple corresponds to the heavenly Temple.

Gemara. The dues collectors who entered into a house – it is impure. If there is a non-Jew with them they are trustworthy to say ‘we went in but touched nothing.’ Give this two explanations. They are trustworthy to say ‘we entered but touched nothing’ when there are known witnesses. And in Jerusalem they are trustworthy regarding holy vessels even when there are known witnesses. Another explanation – they are trustworthy to say ‘we entered but touched nothing’ therefore we need the other teaching when there are known witnesses. And in Jerusalem they are trustworthy even on holy vessels even though there are witnesses that they know about. Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said: “The built-up Jerusalem is like a city that was joined (chubra) together within itself.” (Psalms 122:3) A city which makes all of Israel friends (chaverim – also a term for those who are trustworthy regarding tithes and matters of ritual purity). If so, let this be true during the rest of the year! Rabbi Zeira said: only at the time “There ascended the tribes…” (Psalms 122:4)