Yeshiva
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Beha'alotcha
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Shabbat
The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Asher Ben Hana
What are the days of happiness (simcha)? After all, the holidays are already addressed. The Sifrei (77) brings a machloket whether it refers to Shabbat or to daily korbanot. Ibn Ezra explains that the purpose was for Bnei Yisrael to hear as the Shabbat korbanot were being brought and focus their hearts to the Heaven. According to Shibalei Haleket, the opinion that relates "days of happiness" to Shabbat explains the text of the Shabbat prayers. We say "they shall rejoice in Your kingdom..." and "they shall rejoice in You." Ibn Ezra’s approach also finds expression in his Shabbat song, "Ki Eshmera Shabbat," where he says, "it is a day of happiness..."
It is possible that the Sifrei’s two opinions differ over the question whether it is feasible that a day of kedusha (usually translated as, holiness) can be categorized as a day of happiness. Some view asceticism as the highest level of kedusha. Others stress the balance recommended by Kohelet: "Go eat your bread in happiness and drink your wine with a good heart, for Hashem has accepted your actions" (9:7).
There are halachic ramifications to categorizing Shabbat as a day of simcha. The Manhig writes: "We do not recite Tachanun on Friday because Shabbat is also called a day of simcha." The Maharil (end of the Laws of Yom Tov) uses the classification to rule that one does not engage in a ta’anit chalom (a fast to ward off the effects of a bad dream) on Shabbat, as is also alluded to in "Ki Eshmera Shabbat."
We finish with another of Ibn Ezra’s insights in this context, which is rooted in the p’sukim’s simple meaning. The insight has special significance to us, those who have experienced our national revival in the form of the establishment of the State of Israel. Until now, we have viewed pasuk 10, dealing with trumpet blowing at happy times, as separate from pasuk 9, dealing with doing so during tense times. However, Ibn Ezra connects the p’sukim. After returning victorious from battle, it is time to have a day of happiness and bring korbanot of thanksgiving. He gives Purim and other days as examples of the creation of national days of thanksgiving. This idea is behind our celebrations of Yom Ha’atzmaut and Yom Yerushalayim, which we consider a joyous obligation. There is basis to connect our times, when we have witnessed a massive ingathering of exiles to the celebration of our pasuk. The Rokeach points out that both our pasuk and the beracha of "Teka b’shofar ..." where we ask for the ingathering, contain 20 words.
Let us pray that we will merit lives of happiness through holiness and that we will be able to thank Hashem for our liberation.
Rabbis in Midrash
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Hosha'ana Rabba FLYDUBAI & HOSHANA RABBA- ANI VAHU HOSHIA NA- I & HIM SAVE US
"Ani vaHu Hoshia Na", "I and Him, Save Us". We don't just pray to Him, but we also pray to and for ourselves that we should emulate and educate our children to have that instinctive altruism with which He created the world. President Trump seemed amused about Yaniv Hayon, our PLUMBER who confidently worked with G-d like Superman (he learned from a pilot on a TV show!) to save 174 lives on the Dubai hijacking, but we in Israel are totally accustomed already 78 years to our plumbers, teachers, garbage-men, rabbis, farmers & doctors being Hashem's shlichim! This is what Zionism is about.
Moreshet Shaul Hashem Is your Shadow – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 420 – an address from 1941
