YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Jewish Holidays
- Sukkot
How can it be that the Jewish people hadn't kept the mitzvah of sukkah for over 900 years?
This can be understood by the explanation for the mitzvah given by Rabbi Abuhav (Menorat Hamaor 3,4,1). He explains that the idea of a sukkah is that a person should leave the security of his home in order to place himself in the hands of God for protection against the elements.
The common denominator between the generation of Yehoshua and Ezra is that these were both generations of Aliya. These are the two generations in history that were willing to sacrifice their previously sheltered environment and make Aliya. And, therefore, it was these two generations who were able to appreciate the mitzvah of sukkah like no one else.
Our generation is the third generation in history that has left the exile in order to put our lives in the hands of God here in Israel . So we too can appreciate with "extremely great rejoicing" the mitzvah of sukka in our day in its revival after nearly two thousand years.
As a result, may we speedily witness God’s return to His sukkah - the majestic sukkah of Jerusalem , as it says: "In Shalem is His Tabernacle and His dwelling place is in Zion ."
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
Israel and the Nations A Few Minutes & Many Innovative Ideas on Antisemitism & What to do About It
As we approach the High Holidays, this short lecture (18 minutes) deals with the unfortunate situation of how Israel and the Jewish People stand against antisemitism, analyzing its cause according to Rav Kook, and how to deal with the issue pragmatically & via our prayers.
Ha'azinu PURSUIT is PERFECTION
p. Ha'azinu, Shabbat Shuva
Rav Kook deals with the question of the seemingly hopeless nature of Tshuva. For G-d Himself knows that He created us with free will, which inevitably means we will sometimes make mistakes and choose wrong. This can easily be frustrating, freezing us into inaction and ye'ush (loss of hope). If one sins even once, does he chalila have no choice but suicide?! Moreover, our Godly conscience demands justice, righteousness and perfection, but we all know this is impossible, so what's the solution? Rav Kook's innovative thinking, strongly based on chazal (our sages), offers an inciteful and important aspect to this topic, especially this time of year!
Sukkot Bug-Free Sukkah: Essential Halachic and Practical Schach Guide
How to inspect, clean, and store bamboo mats and palm branches to protect your mitzvah and holiday meals.
