The Ahavas Shalom: Building & Planting

In honor of the Bar Mitzvah of Yissachar Dov Shalom Novoseller, the son of one of my closest friends in the world (a true Tzaddik), and in honor of the Yahrtzeit of his relative, Rav Menachem Mendel Hager of Kosov (1768-1825), founder of the Vizhnitz and Kosov dynasties and author of Ahavas Shalom. The son of Rav Yaakov Koppel Chassid, Rav Menachem Mendel was a student of Rav Moshe Leib of Sassov, Rav Tzvi Hirsch of Nadvorna, and Rav Ze’ev Wolfe of Tcharne-Ostra. His grandson was Rav Menachem Mendel of Vizhnitz.

Each person must understand that all of his efforts and actions, prayers and intentions, add bricks to the Third Temple and complete its construction. Everything positive we do also helps rebuild the House of David. When the Messiah arrives, and The Third Temple appears, we will each see our contributions to both the king and the Temple.

This is why we refer to the “Flowering of David” in the Amidah: Our actions nurture the plant so that it can flourish and grow.

This is also why we speak of God as “Bonei Yerushalayim” – The Builder of Jerusalem – God takes everything constructive that we do and adds it to the holiest and eternal Beit Hamikdash. (Ahavas Shalom, Vayeira)