By Establishing a Synagogue, One Resurrects the Dead - The Daily Strengthening from the Gaon and Tzaddik, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a
In these days when we stand between destruction and redemption, between the Three Weeks and the anticipation for the building of the Holy Temple, the immense depth of what appears outwardly simple and ordinary—the establishment of a synagogue—is revealed to us. The truth is that every synagogue is a direct continuation of the service of the Mishkan (Tabernacle), a "Mikdash Me'at" (miniature Sanctuary), a place where the Shechinah (Divine Presence) dwells, where supernal connections are woven. Specifically during the time of the break—Bein HaMetzarim (the period between the straits)—the secret of the resurrection of the dead, of a great tikkun (rectification), and of deep spiritual warfare is revealed. This is the time to deeply understand the holy work involved in building a synagogue, and how every brick in it is both a physical and spiritual stone.
Tuesday, 11th of Av - The Daily Strengthening from the Gaon and Tzaddik, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"aNow we are building a synagogue; this is a Mishkan (Tabernacle) in place of a synagogue—this is the level of the Mishkan. Every synagogue is the service of the Mishkan—if one builds a synagogue, it is a "Mikdash Me'at" (miniature Sanctuary); it is the Holy Temple.
Until we have the actual Holy Temple, we build a synagogue where people pray, especially where they pray Shacharis (morning prayer) for four hours, and afterwards pray Mincha (afternoon prayer) and have Shalosh Seudos (the third festive meal of Shabbat). Melaveh Malkah (the meal following the conclusion of Shabbat) is the highest because it contains the Etzem HaLuz (the luz bone), the luz bone of the resurrection of the dead.
Through (the establishment of) a synagogue, one can resurrect the dead; a person can heal all illnesses. The Three Weeks (Bein HaMetzarim) is the time to heal all illnesses.
The Rebbe (Rebbe Nachman) ¹explains in Likutey Moharan (Part II, Torah 85) regarding the Etzem HaLuz (the luz bone), that now (during Bein HaMetzarim) it is "Luz." In Luz, there are three weeks from the 17th (of Tammuz) until the 8th (of Av), which is when the spies arrived; until the 8th, it is 21 days.
The 9th of Av is already "He called a festival upon me" (Lamentations 1:15); this is the time of the resurrection of the dead. It is possible to resurrect all the dead and heal all the sick. We have three weeks to heal all the sick—to stop this cursed war.
I don't know who decided to wage this war; there is no benefit in it (this lesson was delivered during Bein HaMetzarim 5784/2024), nothing is gained. The moment Biden said that we are the murderers, that the Jews are the murderers and that the Hamas members must be given a state, at that moment he fell lower and lower. He became completely confused, like Bilaam the Wicked whose tongue was twisted. Tosafot says that he wanted to say "dog," but it became "king" for him. "And the shout of a King is in him" (Numbers 23:21), "And his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted" (Numbers 24:7), because Saul had to eradicate Agag, for Agag is the numerical value (gematria) of 337.
Agag is exactly 337—the Aleph (from "Agag") is 1, how much is two Gimmels? 6.
6 + 1 = 7
Plus Lag (33) BaOmer, plus 40, together it is 337. King Saul—King Saul had to eradicate Agag, "And his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted," but in truth, it is exactly that.
We need to know how to join the 7 with another 33. So Agag is 7, Melech (king) is 90, and Amalek is 240—so it comes out exactly (337). Saul came into the world to eradicate Agag, and David came into the world to eradicate Goliath. He came to fight Goliath with a staff; Goliath did not forgive him ("Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?"). Goliath said, "I do not forgive you for such a disgrace you are causing me—what, am I a dog?"
He said, "Rather, what are you? You are a dog, the son of a dog; you are nothing more than a dog!"
"This is impossible, do not call me a dog; you came to me with sticks, but I am not a dog."
"You are indeed a dog!"
So there was an argument between Goliath and David whether he was a dog or not a dog. The Torah says that he indeed was a dog; he was the son of a dog (Midrash Ruth Rabbah).
Like, for example, Balak the son of Tzippor (bird), Shechem the son of Chamor (donkey), (in contrast) there is Calev (dog) the son of Yefuneh; this is a "dog" in holiness.
Eliyahu is the numerical value (gematria) of Calev (dog), because Eliyahu subdues the klipah (impure shell) of the "dog." For when Eliyahu arrives, then the dogs laugh. If one sees dogs laughing, it is a sign that Eliyahu is in the city.
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- Likutey Moharan Part II - Torah 85 - Nuts called Luzim (Almonds)