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Beit Midrash
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Sukkot
- Arba'at Haminim
Our sages learnt from the verse "And ye shall take you on the first day... and boughs of thick trees" ( Vayikra 23, 40) that one of the four species is Hadas - myrtle . We take 3 branches of Hadas that have 3 leaves growing from each point.
• Hadas grapes / fruit - If the Hadas has more fruit than the leaves, it’s Pasul. Purple, black or red fruit aren’t the color of the Hadas and are Pasul. (The Mishna Berurah doubted about green fruit). The fruit can be taken off (not on Yom Tov) and the Hadas will be Kosher. .
• The myrtle leaves should cover the branch (It is preferable that the bottom leaf will reach the leaf above, since the Mor Uktziah said that this is necessary, though the Chazon Ish and Bikkurei Yaakov argued ). Sometimes, when the myrtles are in the shade, the leaves open, but it is still Kosher.
Hadas Shoteh is a Hadas without triple leaves and they don’t cover its branch. Such a Hadas is Pasul.
• The Hadas should be "Avot" - thick which means that all three leaves should start from the same height. The Chazon Ish holds it is enough if you can draw a line through the leaves stems.
Some hold that all three leaves should start from exactly the same line (Rashi), such a Hadas is considered better. Rabbi Shlomo Zalman holds its enough that part of the stem meets, so they can be in a line of about 2 mm thick. It is better that all the Hadas is triple and "Avot" but also mostly Avot is Kosher.
• Length - the branches of Hadas should be 3 Tefachim - 24 cm according to the Grach Naeh and according to the Chazon Ish - 29 cm. The length does not include the green leaves at the end.
• The size of the leaves - the leaves should be at least as big as a fingernail or as up to the joint. They shouldn’t be too small.
• Truncated - we should try to get Hadasim that aren’t truncated , though some hold its Kosher.
• Height in relation to the lulav - the spine of the lulav should be a Tefach (8-10 cm) longer than the Hadas and willow. Therefore, we should not buy a short Lulav and ‘giant’ Hadasim.
• Keeping the Hadas - it is better to keep the Hadasim in a sealed bag in the refrigerator and not in a wet towel since that causes the leaves to fall.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
