Israel United Below Establishes the Kingdom of Heaven Above

"For the pillars of the earth are the LORD's, and He has set the world upon them" (1 Samuel 2:8). Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai taught: As long as Israel is made into a single bond below, as it were, the Kingdom of Heaven is in its place. And there are for them five verses [bearing this out]. "Who builds His upper chambers in the heavens" (Amos 9:6) — when? "And has founded His vault upon the earth" (ibid.). "And He became King in Jeshurun" (Deuteronomy 33:5) — when? "When the heads of the people gathered together" (ibid.). "Who rides the heavens as your help" (Deuteronomy 33:26) — when? "And in His majesty the skies" (ibid.). "Happy are you, O Israel, who is like you, etc." (ibid. 33:29). And this is [the meaning of]: "To You I lift up my eyes, O You who dwells in the heavens" (Psalms 123:1) — that were it not for me, as it were, etc.