Love of the Land

People of The Land #4

Become a Supporter Library Library
Love of the Land

PEOPLE OF THE LAND
Selections from classical Torah sources
which express the special relationship between
the People of Israel and Eretz Yisrael


The Ohrnet feature "Love of the Land," which brought so much enlightenment and enjoyment to so many thousands of subscribers and surfers during the past three years, is being renewed in a different format and with a new subtitle: People of the Land. People of the Land will present brief sketches of people mentioned in Tanach, Talmud and Midrashim as having a special relationship with Eretz Yisrael. An effort will be made to present them in chronological order.

Those who wish to enjoy the wealth of material which appeared in previous "Love of the Land" features can do so on our website, www.ohr.edu.

SHEM – KING OF THE RIGHTEOUS CITY

When Avraham returned from his triumph over four mighty kings, he was welcomed by "Malki-Tzedek, King of Shalem, who brought forth bread and wine" (Bereishet 14:18).

Malki-Tzedek is identified by our Sages as Shem, son of Noach, and the city he reigned over is Yerushalayim. The literal translation of Malki-Tzedek is "King of Righteousness," which means that he ruled a city that makes its inhabitants righteous. In Yerushalayim there was no possibility for a person to stay overnight with a sin to his account, as the Prophet Yeshaya says that this was a city "in which righteousness slept over night."

The commentaries explain that the daily morning sacrifice offered in the Beit Hamikdash atoned for all the sins committed during the night, and the one brought towards evening atoned for the sins of the day. This endowed the Holy City with the righteousness that found expression in the name of its king.


Love of the Land Archives


Written by Rabbi Mendel Weinbach, Dean, Ohr Somayach Institutions
General Editor: Rabbi Moshe Newman
HTML Design: Binyamin Rosenstock
© 2001 Ohr Somayach International - All rights reserved. This publication may be distributed to another person intact without prior permission. We also encourage you to include this material in other publications, such as synagogue newsletters. However, we ask that you contact us beforehand for permission, and then send us a sample issue.

This publication is available via E-Mail
Ohr Somayach Institutions is an international network of Yeshivot and outreach centers, with branches in North America, Europe, South Africa and South America. The Central Campus in Jerusalem provides a full range of educational services for over 685 full-time students.

The Jewish Learning Exchange (JLE) of Ohr Somayach offers summer and winter programs in Israel that attract hundreds of university students from around the world for 3 to 8 weeks of study and touring.


Copyright © 2001 Ohr Somayach International. Send us Feedback.
Ohr Somayach International is a 501c3 not-for-profit corporation (letter on file) EIN 13-3503155 and your donation is tax deductable.