תהלים, פרק קכ״ח, פסוק ה׳

A person's personal blessing reaches its highest point when it connects to the national and spiritual world. Individual happiness does not exist in isolation, but rather draws its strength from the holiness of the Temple and the prosperity of the holy city. Zion serves as the ultimate source of abundance and God's dwelling place, from which all blessings flow [רד״ק, אבן עזרא, מצודת דוד]. It acts as the gateway to heaven and the core of supreme holiness [רש״י, אלשיך]. God grants this blessing directly to the person in great measure, without any middleman [אלשיך]. At the same time, Zion represents the collective blessing of the nation, meaning an individual earns personal blessing specifically through a deep connection to the entire nation of Israel [מלבי״ם].

There is a distinct promise that a person will witness the goodness of Jerusalem with their own eyes [רד״ק, מלבי״ם]. This goodness takes several forms. It can be the joy experienced during the pilgrimage festivals [אבן עזרא] or the unique spiritual wealth found only in that city [אלשיך]. Others draw a distinction between the two locations: while Zion is the sanctuary of holiness, Jerusalem is the bustling city where the masses live. Therefore, witnessing the good of Jerusalem means seeing the success of the public, which requires a person to actively work for the benefit of society [מלבי״ם]. On a historical level, this is a promise to witness the physical rebuilding of Jerusalem and the return of the Israelites from exile [רד״ק, מצודת דוד].

This blessing is marked by unbroken continuity. A person will experience this goodness constantly, both during times of exile and times of redemption [רד״ק]. It also serves as a call for an individual to dedicate their entire life to the public good and the happiness of others [מלבי״ם]. On a deeper level, achieving the goodness of Jerusalem symbolizes reaching supreme spiritual perfection, while the promise of a lifelong blessing points toward earning eternal life in the World to Come [מאירי].