The Chida also cites the Pri Chadash (Kiddushin 49b), noting that Yerushalayim itself uniquely combined these two seemingly opposing traits. On one hand, it is called “The perfection of beauty” (Tehillim 50:2), and Chazal teach (Kiddushin 49b): “Ten measures of beauty descended to the world: nine were taken by Yerushalayim, and one by the rest of the world.” On the other hand, the pasuk states, “For from Tzion shall go forth Torah, and the word of Hashem from Yerushalayim” (Yeshayahu 2:3). The Midrashim highlight the exceptional wisdom of Yerushalayim residents, as in Avos D’Rabbi Nossan (II, 48): “Ten portions of wisdom came into the world — nine were taken by Yerushalayim, and one by the rest of the world.”
Apparently, beauty and wisdom don’t naturally coincide. Only special missions can cause the two contradicting traits to combine – the Avos, the kings, and Yerushalayim home of the Shechinah.
