YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Sukkot
- The Essence of Sukkot
Now, it’s a wonderful thing to have guests over. But why do we do this special ritual only on Sukkot?!
I’ll get back to that, but first, let's ponder another question: The Rabbis tell us that we should live in our Sukka in the same manner that we live in our homes. And so, if the weather is inclement, we are not required to eat or sleep in the Sukka. However, on the first night of Sukkot – no matter how rainy or cold it may be – we MUST say Kiddush & eat at least a k’zayit of food in our Sukka! But why? Why is the first night an exception to the rule about exemption due to inclement weather?
The Rabbis answer: There is a direct correlation between the holidays of Pesach & Sukkot, because both holidays begin on the 15th of the month (full moon). And so, just as eating Matza is optional during most of Pesach, yet obligatory on the first night, so, too, eating in the Sukka is required on the first night. In fact, there are even halachic authorities who say that we must finish our Sukkot meal by midnight, just as we must eat the Afikoman by midnight!
However, if we are already pursuing the Pesach-Sukkot connection, there is an additional Biblical Mitzva on Pesach, besides eating Matza; it is Magid, to tell the Pesach story. So what do we do on Sukkot that "matches up" with Magid? The Ushpizin! Just as Magid tells the story of the Exodus, so Ushpizin relates the most exciting segment of our early history, from our beginnings as a People with Avraham, to our conquest of the Land & preparing to build the Bet HaMikdash under King David. If we take the time to talk to our family about these great personalities, we will enhance our Chag & bring Judaism to life.
In fact, Sukkot is a wonderful opportunity to tell our children about their grandparents & great-grandparents: What was Sukkot like, back in our younger years? What kind of Sukkot did we build then? How did we choose our set of Arba Minim? What foods graced our holiday tables? Those memories are so important to share with our family.
Now that the hectic days of the Yamim Noraim, RH and YK, have B"H been celebrated, we can relax in the comfort of our little Sukka & leisurely relate some of the highlights of our own personal histories.
Try it; you just might discover some awesome heroes very, very close to home.
Chag Sukkot Sameach!
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 3
The second speaker invited to convince the Khazar King is the Christian, who presents their beliefs. Even before the questions of the King, "between the lines", the author R. Yehuda HaLevi already begins disproving them.
Ein Aya "Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"
Today, many confuse between intimacy in marriage, based on love, giving and life which are diametrically opposed to empty "sex", pornography and prostitution which destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. The practical importance of clarifying this topic in today's western society is obvious, especially for young adults.
