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Beit Midrash
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The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
עזרא בן מעתוק הכהן ז"ל
There are two overarching elements to Sukkot. One is the commemoration of a historical event: Hashem’s sustaining of a new nation in the desert. The other is the idea of chag ha’asif, giving thanks to Hashem at harvest time. Harvest is during a specific time of the year, and with our hybrid lunar/solar calendar it is always close to Sukkot, but not always perfectly so. Unlike Pesach and Shavuot, where the holiday comes at the time of the event we commemorate, our being sustained in the desert is not connected to a specific time of year. Therefore, it would be logical if harvest time would be more important in setting the time of the holiday.
The Netziv points out that Yeravam, the first king of the Kingdom of Israel (The Ten Tribes) made this point and actually patterned a holiday after Sukkot in the eighth month. The Netziv said that the harvest came out late that year, and he decided to push off Sukkot. While Yeravam’s logic was reasonable, the Torah works on "eternal statutes," not human logic.
We can now explain the break in the p’sukim. The Torah talks about the four species, which are at the heart of Sukkot’s harvest element. It reminds us not to celebrate at the most agriculturally appropriate "seven days in the year" but specifically in the seventh month. The explanation follows. This holiday is linked to the element historical commemoration, highlighted by the sukka. While this could in theory be done at any time, the Torah had its reasons to put it in the seventh month, in the same month as Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. This connection is hinted at earlier when the time for Sukkot (and for Yom Kippur) is called "on this seventh month" (Vayikra 23:34). Would one think it is a different seventh month? No, but the Torah is stressing that the same month that starts with Rosh Hashana continues with Yom Kippur, and finishes with Sukkot. The agricultural element of the holiday is important. However, the eternal timing of the holidays takes into the account the intertwined spiritual lessons of the season and uses that to set the time of the agricultural festivities as well.
May we merit taking in all of the lessons at the right time and in the desired manner.
Rabbis in Midrash
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P'ninat Mishpat A Non-Contractor in Changing Times – part II
(based on ruling 85128 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Moreshet Shaul Hashem Is your Shadow – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 420 – an address from 1941
Parashat Hashavua Happiness for the Right Reasons
[With painful longing, we share these divrei Torah from our co-Rosh Kollel for close to 40 years, Harav Moshe Ehrenreich zt”l.]
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.
