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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
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
