Agrippa I, appointed by the Roman Emperor to rule over Judea, was pious and kind to his subjects. During his reign, the Jews began to prosper and live comfortably. The Sages of the time accorded him great respect.
Agrippa I started construction to repair, broaden and heighten the walls around Jerusalem. The Romans, wary of the Jews' rising prosperity, placed many obstacles in his way. Nonetheless, the wall was completed, though the finished product was not as magnificent as originally planned.
The 16th of Adar, the day when the construction commenced, was instituted to be a joyous day.
What is an alef?
A point above, a point below, and a line between.
Whatever we may understand of Him
is but an infinitesimal point above.
The only way we can join with Him
is as an infinitesmal point below.
And what empowers us to become this zero-point below
that resonates with the infinite-point above?
Our awe of Him,
a line that connects below to above.