Pray-for-Jerusalem
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site on שַׁבָּת - Shabbat or
on the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts!
Tanakh versions:
Throughout this
site I may use any of the following three versions of the TaNaKh: 1. “Jewish Publication
Society” (JPS-1917), 2. Mechon-Mamre.org” (MEC), and 3. “Sefaria.org” (SEF).
Colour coded details of the - TaNaKh:
1. Torah =
History & Law, 2. Nevi’im = The Prophets. 3. *Ketuvim = all other Writings.
*The Ketuvim - Includes, Poetical
books - Psalms, Proverbs, Job, the Megillot, or Scrolls - Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations of
Jeremiah, Ecclesiastes, and Esther, prophecy of Daniel, and
history of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles I & II.
Please Note: Some
alterations or (additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’
of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, having been corrected like it once was pre the “Masoretic Text”.
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Remember the following truth from our
beloved Torah!.
“Ye
shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which I command you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM IT, that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloleichem,
which I command you”. Davarim -
Deuteronomy 4:2.
However, sadly both the later priests as well as our rabbis of long ago have completly disobeyed this command of אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, בָּרוּךְ שֵׁם קָדוֹשׁוֹ – ‘Baruch Shem Kadosho’ – ‘Blessed be His Holy Name!’
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שַׁ֭אֲלוּ
שְׁלוֹם
יְרוּשָׁלָ֑͏ִם
יִשְׁלָ֗יוּ
אֹהֲבָֽיִךְ
“Pray for the (Shalom) of Yerushalayim
May they prosper who love you”
“Pray for the peace of Yerushalayim - Jerusalem
... may they prosper who love you”.
Tehillim - Psalms 122: 6. (JPS).
With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
Below, I will place a verse from 1 Melachim - 1 Kings 8:16, below - first in Hebrew, followed by the English Translation:
מִן-הַיּוֹם,
אֲשֶׁר
הוֹצֵאתִי
אֶת-עַמִּי אֶת-יִשְׂרָאֵל
מִמִּצְרַיִם,
לֹא-בָחַרְתִּי
בְעִיר
מִכֹּל
שִׁבְטֵי
יִשְׂרָאֵל,
לִבְנוֹת
בַּיִת
לִהְיוֹת
שְׁמִי שָׁם;
וָאֶבְחַר
בְּדָוִד,
לִהְיוֹת
עַל-עַמִּי
יִשְׂרָאֵל
“Since the day that I brought forth My people Israel out of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build a house, that My Name might be there; but I chose David to be over My people Israel”. 1 Melachim - 1 Kings 8:16: (JPS-1917 version of the Tanakh).
We all know well that Jerusalem is of a
special significance to אֱלֹהִים
- Elohim, it stems from its role as a place of
Divine choice and covenant, a focal point for religious narratives, and a
symbol of Divine presence and promise. It is considered a Holy City for us
Hebrews, but much later also for Christians, and Islam, with each faith
associating it with their particular key events of their individual beliefs.
Here
is a breakdown of the reasons of its preference:
1. Divine Choice and Covenant:
Chosen Place:
Jerusalem is believed to be the place where
Elohim chose to establish His presence and make His name known.
Covenant with Abraham:
The city is linked to the covenant Elohim made
with Abraham, a foundational promise in our Hebraic tradition.
The Temple Mount:
The Temple Mount, is the central site in
Jerusalem, is where our Hebraic Temples were built, symbolizing Elohim’s
dwelling place.
2. Religious Significance:
Judaism:
Jerusalem is the holiest city for Hebrews, as
it is the location of the ‘First’, ‘Second’ ‘Temples’.
3. Symbolism and Prophecy:
Symbol of Peace:
The name “Jerusalem” itself
is interpreted as “habitation of peace”, symbolizing spiritual peace and
Divine presence.
Future Kingdom:
Some believe Jerusalem will be the center of
Elohim’s kingdom on Earth, particularly in our Hebrew interpretations, from the
Tanakh!
In essence, Jerusalem is more than just a
city; it's a sacred space imbued with Divine ‘promises’, ‘historical’ and
‘religious significance’.
Let’s break down the verse word‑for‑word. The verse from Psalms 122:6 in Hebrew is:
שַׁ֭אֲלוּ שְׁלוֹם יְרוּשָׁלָ֑͏ִם יִשְׁלָ֗יוּ אֹהֲבָֽיִךְ
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; may those who love you prosper”.
A Few Nuances to Consider:
1. The Opening Command - שַׁאֲלוּ:
Although it literally means “ask,” in a liturgical or poetic context (like in Psalms) it is best understood as “pray” or “petition”. This is why many translations begin with “Pray for” rather than a more general “ask”.
2. שְׁלוֹם יְרוּשָׁלִָם:
This phrase is very idiomatic. While a word‑for‑word reading would be “peace Jerusalem,” it is understood as “the peace of Jerusalem”. The noun “shalom” describes the peace being petitioned, and “Yerushalayim” is the object of that petition.
3. יִשְׁלָיוּ:
This term is a jussive form (or an imperfect with a jussive force) which means “let them prosper” or “may they be successful/secure.” Its form calls for a blessing or a desired state, which translators often render as “they shall prosper” or “may those who love you prosper.”
4. אֹהֲבָיִךְ:
The ending “יִךְ” shows that it is “your” (feminine singular), referring back to Jerusalem (a feminine noun in Biblical Hebrew). Thus, it means “those who love you”. Common translations choose a phrasing like “those who love you” because it mirrors the meaning neatly.
Putting it Together:
The most literal translation would be:
“Ask peace Jerusalem; may those who love you prosper”.
Most English translations smooth this into a more natural command, for example:
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: may those who love you prosper”.
This word-for-word check should give you confidence in the nuances of each term and help you decide, and which translation best fits your needs. I personally prefer JPS-1917 version of the Tanakh!
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Please
Note: “hebraicstudies”
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This site was originally created, for those who desired to return to our blessed and wonderful faith. Thus be wise and work on your faith and pray at least two or three times a day (if possible) and always seek our beloved אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance, for His love is always with us, especially when we seek Him, blessed be He! However this site has become very much a teaching site with hundreds of studies!
Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be
He, said the following via several of our prophets...
“Return
unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה- the LORD of hosts”. Mal’a’chi - Malachi 3:7. (JPS).
And Remember ...
Enjoy your Sabbath Rest, Shabbat Shalom!
אֲנִי יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, בְּחֻקּוֹתַי
לֵכוּ; וְאֶת-מִשְׁפָּטַי
שִׁמְרוּ, וַעֲשׂוּ
אוֹתָם
וְאֶת-שַׁבְּתוֹתַי, קַדֵּשׁוּ; וְהָיוּ
לְאוֹת, בֵּינִי
וּבֵינֵיכֶם-לָדַעַת, כִּי
אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם
“I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה
- the LORD your Eloheichem; walk in My statutes,
and keep Mine ordinances, and do them; and hallow My Sabbaths, and they shall
be a sign between Me and you, that ye may know that I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloheichem”. Yechezkel - Ezekiel 20:19-20. (JPS).
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“Hebraic Studies” motto is as
follows;
“The More Torah, the
More Life”
For אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, Blessed be His Sanctified Name,.
He
is the one who gave us our Life!”
May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom = Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD of hosts. be with you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Tefeelah’s (Prayers) and regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah’s (blessings) before food and drinks, etc!
שָׁלוֹם
עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with you!
Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
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