The sages of old certainly did. A fascinating story unfolds in the Pesikta DeRav Kahana, a collection of homiletical teachings, that explores this very question. It all starts with a discussion between R’ Elazar ben Azaryah and R’ Elazar haModa’i, grappling with the verse: "At that time, they will call Jerusalem The Throne of the Lord…” (Jeremiah 3:17). Can Jerusalem, as we know it, really contain the Divine Presence, the very Throne of God?
R’ Elazar ben Azaryah voices the question we're all thinking: can Jerusalem really hold it? R’ Elazar haModa’i replies with a vision of expansion. In the future, the Holy One will instruct Jerusalem to "spread out and widen" to accommodate its population, quoting Isaiah 54:2: “Widen the place of your tent…” It’s a powerful image, isn’t it? A city divinely commanded to grow, to embrace all who seek refuge within its walls.
This idea of expansion takes flight. R’ Yochanan envisions Jerusalem reaching all the way to the gates of Damascus! He bases this audacious claim on Zechariah 9:1: “The prophecy of the word of the Lord in the land of Chadrach. And Damascus is His resting place…” Now, what exactly is Chadrach?
This is where it gets even more interesting. R’ Yodan and R’ Nechemiah offer differing interpretations. R’ Yodan suggests that Chadrach is a symbolic reference to the King Messiah, who will be "sharp" (chad) with the nations and "soft" (rach) towards Israel. R’ Nechemia, however, believes Chadrach is simply the name of a place.
Adding a layer of intrigue, R’ Yosi ben Dormaskit chimes in, swearing "by the Temple service!" that he is from Damascus and that there is indeed a place called Chadrach there. But if Damascus is His resting place, what about Jerusalem?
The answer, according to the sages, lies in understanding the nature of this "resting place." It's not about displacement, but about transformation. Just as a fig tree is narrow at its base and wide at its top, Jerusalem will, in the future, spread out and rise, offering rest and shelter to the returning exiles. This fulfills the prophecy that Damascus is His resting place, even though His true resting place is Jerusalem, as Psalm 132:14 declares: “This is My resting place forever; here I shall dwell for I desired it.”
But what about the physical reality of Jerusalem? Won't it move from its current location? Not at all. As Jeremiah 30:18 states, "...and the city shall be built on its mound..." It will remain grounded, yet ascend, expanding in all directions. The exiles will find rest beneath its protective embrace, fulfilling Isaiah 54:3: “For right and left shall you prevail…”
How far will this expansion reach? The text explores the dimensions. We learn about length, breadth, and even height. Zechariah 14:10 speaks of “…from the tower of Hananel until the king's wine-cellars.” R’ Berachia interprets this as reaching all the way to the ocean, while R’ Zakai Raba suggests it extends to the pits of Yafo. The sages aren't necessarily disagreeing, but rather offering different perspectives – one sees the "cellars" as those of the King of Kings, while the other sees them as those of King Solomon.
And what about height? Ezekiel 41:7 tells us, "And it became wider and it wound higher and higher to the cells…" R’ Eliezer ben Yaakov envisions Jerusalem rising until it reaches the Throne of Glory itself! Imagine that – the earthly city ascending to meet the Divine. So much so that it will say to the Holy One “The place is too narrow for me; move over for me so that I will dwell.” (Isaiah 49:20)
R’ Yosi son of R’ Yirmiyah Dostai, quoting R’ Levi, emphasizes that we still don't fully grasp Jerusalem's magnificence. He points to Zechariah 2:9: “But I will be for it-says the Lord-a wall of fire around, and for glory I will be in its midst.” It’s a powerful image – Jerusalem enveloped in Divine protection, radiating with glory. From this, he says, you can truly understand the praiseworthiness of Jerusalem.
So, what does this all mean for us? It's more than just a fantastical vision of a future city. It's a reminder of the potential for growth, expansion, and ultimately, the indwelling of the Divine in our lives and in the places we hold sacred. It asks us to consider: how can we, like Jerusalem, expand our capacity to embrace others, to offer refuge, and to radiate the light of hope and peace? How can we become a dwelling place for the Divine?