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Beit Midrash
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Yom Kippur
- The Essence of Yom Kippur
Some want to put a bit of a negative spin on this move & suggest that if we were found guilty by the Heavenly Court for our sins, let us be sent into a "mini-Exile" as expiation. But I prefer to see this as a very positive experience.
All year long, we extend ourselves to the world at large. We travel constantly, we connect by telephone, Internet or the media to events happening all over the world, we are tuned in & affected by global markets & politics. But come Sukkot, we abruptly "shrink" our world, confining ourselves to a small space, with just the very basics we need to survive. We become "minimalists," if only for a week.
It is only natural to lust for bigger living quarters, for more room for our clothes, for a den, a study or a family room. But how many of us, when we think back to our first home – especially the place we lived in when newly-married –
fondly remember how comfy & cozy we were! Size wasn’t the issue then; Love was more important than Large.
Close quarters can give us a new perspective on life. We can literally come face-to-face with the people we love the most: Our spouses, our parents & kids, the special guests we invite into our intimate igloo during the week. We
can also appreciate how sometimes Less is More, how the simple things in life – though they may be less advanced technologically – can actually bring us the most joy.
On the 10 Days of Repentance - & particularly on Yom Kippur - our fate, & the fate of the entire world are being decided. It’s Life & Death stuff; these weighty issues weigh heavily on our hearts & minds, & upon our souls. Sukkot is the perfect time to ease into serenity-mode, to surround ourselves in Mitzvot – the Sukka, Arba Minim, Hoshanot, Hakafot, etc. To "down-size" our material pursuits ("Morid HaGashem!"), even as we "up-size" & focus on our spiritual side, contemplating the year ahead.
The Torah emphasizes the quality of Simcha on Sukkot, more than any other holiday of the year. Indeed, we say specifically about Sukkot: V’hayita ACH Sameach!" – You shall be ONLY happy! Yes, the Sukka may be fragile, even flimsy. But it can be a happy, pleasant, peaceful palace if you just make it so.
Shana Tova – G’mar Chatima Tova – Chag Sameach!
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
