Jerusalem is central and essential to Judaism. Not only was it the home for the first two Holy Temples and the direction to which every Jew in the world must face when praying today but it is there that Moshiach will rebuild the third Temple and gather the Jews.
So why isn't it mentioned explicitly in the Torah? Why only as “The place that G-d chooses”?
The Lubavitcher Rebbe (Likuti Sichot Vol. 2 pp 617-6 19) asks this question and answers it from 'Sefer HaChaim' a book written by the brother of the famous Mahaha"l of Prague (1520-1609) as follows:
The Weekly Sedra – Re’eh
In this week’s Torah portion we find a clear hint at Jerusalem “And it shall be that the place in which G-d your G-d will choose to make is name abide. Bring your offerings etc.” (Deut 12:11).
Jerusalem is central and essential to Judaism. Not only was it the home for the first two Holy Temples and the direction to which every Jew in the world must face when praying today but it is there that Moshiach will rebuild the third Temple and gather the Jews.
So why isn’t it mentioned explicitly in the Torah? Why only as “The place that G-d chooses”?
The Lubavitcher Rebbe (Likuti Sichot Vol. 2 pp 617-6 19) asks this question and answers it from ‘Sefer HaChaim’ a book written by the brother of the famous Mahaha”l of Prague (1520-1609) as follows: