YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Jewish Holidays
- Sukkot
The Talmud tells us that the mother of the great tanna - scholar of the Mishna - Shamai, the compatriot of Hillel, brought him into a Succah while still an infant. Aside from the obvious meaning that the rabbis teach us that there is no better time to train Jews in observance of God’s commandments than in their youth I think that there is something deeper that is taught here in this seemingly ordinary anecdote. Shamai’s mother wanted him to experience that whiff of immortality that the succah brings with it. In the succah there are the unseen but omnipresent guests of the founders of our people - the ushpizin. Hovering over the succah are the unseen clouds of glory that enveloped us in the desert of Sinai and the memories of generations upon generations of succot constructed all over the world in our past and present. Infants yet see the unseen; they are still close to the source of eternity from whence they have newly arrived. The infant Shammai is at home in the succah because all that is unseen to those who are older and more mature is till real and present to the infant. Studies show that the infant dreams while sleeping. What are those dreams about? Are they not the recollection of its soul as to whence it sprang and was ushered into this world? Shammai the infant is at home in the succah for it is also a place of eternity and beauty, a harbinger and reminder of the eternal world itself.
One of the great revivals in the Jewish world over the past number of decades is the availability and purchase of very large amounts of etrogim, lulavim, hadasim and aravot in honor of the holiday of Succot. Again I remember that as a child worshipping in the synagogue where my father served as a rabbi there were only three sets of the four species present in the synagogue for the seven hundred fifty worshippers who attended the services! Among the many accomplishments of the State of Israel in the field of the spiritual rejuvenation of Jewish practice and study the popularization of this mitzvah of the four species is surely one of them. The growing and merchandising of the four species has become an industry of note on its own. There is to a certain thrill in holding in one’s hand the fruits of the rejuvenated Land of Israel which yields its bounty to its children who have returned to it from near and afar. In rabbinic responsa there are countless recitations of the difficulties that Jews living in the Diaspora had in obtaining the four species and the lengths and costs that they went to obtain these species for Succot. And lo and behold look how easy and simple it has become in our time with the existence of the State of Israel in our holy land to fulfill this joyous commandment. This alone makes our commemoration of succot the time of our happiness.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
Shoftim TESHUVA IN COURT OF LAW?
Parshat Shoftim-Chodesh Elul
Why does parshat Shoftim always come out during Elul? This innovative and central explanation is an eye-opener regarding many aspects of Judaism.
The Month of Elul TESHUVA IS THE ANSWER
The month of Elul serves as a vital time for self-reflection and personal accountability to prepare for true repentance.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Chemdat Yamim The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Re'e NEVER EXTREME EXCEPT ISRAEL
Parshat Re'eh
Judaism is against extremism, so how can we understand the seemingly extreme statements found in our sages in favor of living in the Land of Israel and against living in Chutz laAretz? The article deals with the seeming contradiction between the strength of Free-Will and the strength of being influenced by our surroundings.
Ekev DANCE FOR ISRAEL- FOR YOUR BENEFIT
Parshat Eikev
Description: The 7 Haftarot we read after Tisha B'Av ("Shiva D'Nichemta") surely get us excited that they're coming TRUE, and awaken us to yearn, dance & join the return to Zion! The short article also deals with the problems and solutions facing the American Jewish community as discussed at a recent panel, as well as the question why Jews come from America to Israel to help when we face problems, but Israelis don't come to aid Jews in America when they face anti-Semitism.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
