The Future Glory of Jerusalem: Insights from Ancient Texts

1. The Future Metropolis of Jerusalem: Jerusalem, where the Third Temple will be built and where the Messiah will reside, will not only be the capital of Israel but of the entire world. As the sages said: "Rabbi Yochanan said: In the future, Jerusalem will be a metropolis for all countries."

2. A Global Center: In the future, Jerusalem will be the center and main city of the world. Many nations and kingdoms will come to bask in her light. Many prophets foresaw this, saying: "In the days to come, the mountain of Hashem's house shall be established above the mountains and raised above the hills, and all nations shall stream to it, saying, 'Let us go up to the mountain of Hashem, to the house of the God of Jacob, that He may teach us His ways, and that we may walk in His paths.' For out of Zion shall come forth teaching, and the word of Hashem from Jerusalem." (Isaiah, 2)

3. Wealth of Jerusalem: There are numerous traditional sayings about Jerusalem's immense wealth: "Rabbi Yochanan taught: In the future, Hashem will bring precious stones and gems measuring thirty by thirty cubits, and carve them with a height of twenty, to set them in the gates of Jerusalem, as it is said: 'And I will make your battlements of rubies and your gates of precious stones.'" (Baba Batra 75a)

4. Precious Foundations: "In the future, Hashem will lay the foundations of Jerusalem in ten types of precious stones: ruby, topaz, emerald..." (Pesikta Rabbati 137)

5. Built of Gems: "Jerusalem will be built of precious stones and gems, as it is said: 'And I will make your battlements of rubies and your gates of precious stones.' If a gentile or heretic asks, 'Is such a thing possible?' tell him: 'It has already happened in the days of Solomon, as it is said: 'The king made silver as common as stones in Jerusalem.'"

6. Expansive Borders: Rabbi Levi said: "In the future, the boundaries of Jerusalem will be filled with gems and precious stones, twelve by twelve miles."

7. Divine Resolution: A remarkable tale in Pesikta Rabbati 1, 3: "In this world, one who owes his fellow goes to a judge, who may or may not resolve their conflict. But in the days of the Messiah, one who owes will say to his fellow, 'Let us go before the Messiah King.' When they reach Jerusalem, they find it filled with precious stones and gems. One picks a gem, gives it, and asks, 'Do I owe you more than this?' to which the other replies, 'The King forgives you.' As it is written: 'Hashem will make your borders peaceful.'"

8. Source of Wealth: Another traditional text states: "In the future, Hashem will gather all the nations to Jerusalem and distribute their spoils to Israel."

9. Triple Walls: "Jerusalem will be built of all precious stones and gems, surrounded by three walls: one of silver, one of gold, and one of radiant stones of many colors, each wall six cubits wide."

10. Ever-Expanding Jerusalem: The city will experience unimaginable expansion during the redemption. Sifrei states: "Jerusalem will expand in every direction, with its gates stretching all the way to Damascus." (Sifrei Devarim, 1) In Yalkut Shimoni on Isaiah: "Every new month and Shabbat, all flesh will come to Jerusalem. How can this be? Rabbi Levi says: 'Jerusalem will become like all of Israel, and Israel like the entire world. Clouds will carry people to Jerusalem, where they will pray in the morning.'"

In blessings and prayers, both during the time of the Temple and after its destruction, the sages instituted the mention of Jerusalem's rebuilding. They interpreted the verse "Your neck is like the tower of David, built for an armory" as "A mound toward which all mouths pray." Prayers for Jerusalem are included in the Grace After Meals, the Amidah, the blessings of the Haftorah, and the Seven Blessings. Let us be diligent in praying for the rebuilding of Jerusalem, and may we soon witness these wonderful traditions with our eyes.

Rabbi Yitzchak Geler on Jerusalem: A unique story about the Chofetz Chaim and the Balfour Declaration is included.