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The most halachically important part of the sukka is its s’chach, which produces the shade. One of the important halachot is that the s’chach must produce more shade than it allows sunlight through. The Zohar (Emor 103:1) puts the purpose of this shade of the sukka in perspective as follows: "Whoever is of ‘the root and the trunk’ of Israel shall sit in the sukka under the shade of Hashem."
In Tehillim we find that tzel has a double meaning: not only shade but salvation as well. "He who sits in the covert of the Supreme, in the shadow (b’tzel) of Hashem he lives … for He will save you (yatzilcha) …" (Tehillim 91:1-3). "Hashem will guard you, Hashem is your shade (tzilcha) on your right hand. During the day the sun will not hit you, nor will the moon at night" (ibid. 121:5-6).
If the spiritual is the ultimate protection and cover, we can understand better the Torah’s description of the creation of man. Hashem spoke of making man in His tzelem (image) (Bereishit 1:26-7), and then the Torah relates that He put man in charge of the animal kingdom. It is this tzelem which makes him distinct from other living creatures and gives him a closer connection to Hashem and a more significant life. Physical dangers have less import when stress is placed on spirituality and the soul rather than the body.
This also explains why the first woman is taken from the tzela of Adam (Bereishit 2:21-22). The partnership between man and woman emanates from the tzel – from a spiritual connection between them, and allows both of them to have the protection and closeness of the "shade of Hashem." This is as Chazal teach, "If they merit [a proper spousal relationship], the Divine Presence will be with them." One person who did not understand this properly was Lemech. One of his wives was Tzila, but he used her not to get close to Hashem but for her to always be in his shadow, i.e., for his physical pleasure (Rashi, Bereishit 4:19).
May we always make the most of our divine tzelem and spend as much time in His shade, quantitatively and qualitatively, as possible.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
