A Song of Ascents. Of David. I rejoiced with those who said to me, "Let us go to the house of the Lord." Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said, "David said, 'I heard people say, "When will that old man die, so that his son Solomon can come and build the chosen Temple, and we can go up for the pilgrimage feast?"'
But the Lord said to him, 'Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.' It is better for me to spend one day engaged in the study of Torah than to offer a thousand burnt offerings in your Temple that your son Solomon will sacrifice before me in the future.' There is no generation that does not have scoffers.
What did the troublemakers of that generation do? They went to David's windows and said, 'David, when will the Temple be rebuilt, and when will we go to the house of the Lord?' And he said, 'Even though they intend to anger me, they will come upon me with joy, for I rejoice when they say, "Let us go to the house of the Lord."' Our feet are standing in your gates, O Jerusalem.
Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said, 'What caused our feet to stand in the battle against the gates of Jerusalem?' It was because they were engaged in the study of Torah. Jerusalem, the built-up city, is like a city that is united together. Rabbi Yochanan said that the Lord said, 'I will not come to the heavenly Jerusalem until I come to the earthly Jerusalem, for it is written, "I will not enter a city of my sanctuary until I enter the city of Jerusalem below."'
And there is no other Jerusalem above. As it is written, "Jerusalem, the built-up city, is like a city that is united together." Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said, 'A city that unites all of Israel together.' From now on, even in the other days of the year.'
Rabbi Zeira said, 'As long as the tribes of Judah and Benjamin ascended there as witnesses to Israel.' Raba said that Rav Ada said that Rav said, 'Anyone who takes a wife who is not fitting for him, the Lord does not bear witness about him with the tribes, as it is said, "There the tribes go up."' When did the testimony come to Israel at the time when the tribes of Judah were in Egypt? Another matter, the Holy One, blessed be He, said that My name testifies about Israel that they did not become defiled with immorality in Egypt.
And how do we know that they were not suspected of immorality? As it is stated, "And the son of the Israelite woman went out" (Leviticus 24:10), to make known the praise of Israel that there was no one among them except this woman alone, and the verse publicized it. And it is explained in Kabbalah (Song of Songs 4:12), "My sister, my bride, is a locked garden." These are the males.
"A locked garden, a sealed fountain." These are the females. And Rabbi Nathan says, "A locked garden." These are the married women.
"A locked garden, a sealed fountain." These are the engaged women. Another matter, "a locked garden, a sealed fountain" are two ways. Rabbi Aha said, "Jerusalem is not built except by virtue of the tribes, as it is stated, 'Jerusalem, the built-up city.'
And it is adjacent to that which is stated, 'For there the tribes went up' (Psalms 122:4), for there the thrones for judgment were set up to judge the Gentile nations. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; may those who love you be at peace. What did they see to say 'to Jerusalem?' Another matter, in the blessing of the righteous, it is written, 'May those who love you be at peace.'
Where do the horns of the righteous rise in Jerusalem? Sages increase peace in the world, as it is stated, "And all your children shall be taught of the Lord" (Isaiah 54:13). For my brothers and friends, I will speak of peace in you.