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Hello, Please could you confirm or clarify a detail of scholarship regarding likely (or perhaps historically certain) Jewish customs for the Passover pilgrimage to Jerusalem in the era of the Third Temple? It is clear that the pilgrimage would have taken several days in each direction for members of the tribes located at a greater distance from Jerusalem. The detail about this pilgrimage - which must have had something of the character of an annual mass migration - which I would like to clarify is this: Is it likely, or even historically certain, that on both the outward and return journey to Jerusalem, two large and separate groups would have formed on each day of the journey: (a) the men, who would have walked faster, and arrived at the next night's stopping point sooner, and so been able to prepare the evening arrangements for the slower group (b) consisting of women and children? I have a second question related to this: At that same historical period was there a clearly defined age at which boys were deemed to come of age, thus becoming eligible to classed as men, or would this have been a matter of discretion depending on individual circumstances? In anticipation, thank you very much for your help Sincerely John Polycarp

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Dear Rabbi, I was wondering: How do you say “Jerusalem” in Hebrew and what does it mean? Thanks

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Shalom Rabbi. Isaiah 52:1 says: "Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Tzion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Yerushalaim, the "holy" city: for henceforth there shall "no" more "come" into thee the " uncircumcised " and the "unclean." This scriptural verse doesn't describe the " earthly" Jerusalem visited by millions of tourists every year. Today's Jerusalem is indulgent, lenient and compliant. This is a far cry from the term "holy" city. It is home to many "unchaste," "unclean," "uncircumcised " inhabitants. So why does the world believe that is the "holy" haven of Hashem? This is the ultimate conundrum. Rabbi, is it possible that Tzion is a "Spiritual" city? Erected of even "spiritual stones," sanctified sons and daughters, consecrated tabernacles, reflecting Hashem's "glory"? Respectfully, Yishrah

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Dear Rabbi, Shalom. I saw something unusual in a dream last night. There was a table with bread and wine on it and the name Malkitzedek was written on the table. I sort of recall there being a story about Melchizedek and Abraham in the Torah. But who was he and what does that image in my dream mean for me?

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Dear Rabbi, I noticed the divider at the Western Wall camera. What is the purpose of this division? Why is the wall divided into two sections? Thanks.

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A Time to Mourn: Tisha B’Av 2021 Hi Rabbi, What is the meaning of “Tisha B’Av”? Thank you so much for your answer and for this informative and inspiring “Ask the Rabbi” service!

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The phrase “inhabitants of Jerusalem” is used numerous times in the prophets, especially in Jeremiah. In Isaiah 8:14 it seems to indicate they are not Israel or Judah. “And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.” Does anyone know who exactly they were? Thank you