YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Sukkot
- The Essence of Sukkot
I once asked the question, "If you had only 1 solitary day to do Mitzvot, what day would you choose?" The best answer to that question is, "Today!" Because you never pass up a Mitzva today, even to do two Mitzvot tomorrow.
But the second best answer to that question may very well be "the first day of Sukkot." Because look at all the many Mitzvot that we fulfill on this one day: We have all the Mitzvot included in every Chag (Kiddush & Seudat Mitzva, Simchat Yom Tov, special Tefilot such as Hallel & Torah readings, etc.) plus the added Mitzvot of Sukka, taking of the Lulav & Etrog, & Hoshanot.
But please note the unique duality at work here. On the one hand, we are told to move out of our elegant & fortified homes into small huts, sparsely furnished & featuring leaky roofs & shaky walls. The message being sent is that our true Protector is Hashem - upon whom we are totally dependent - for only He can guarantee our safety & security. With Him, even the flimsiest shack is secure; without Him, no fortress is invulnerable.
Yet at the same time, we know that the state of "Shev v’al ta’aseh – sit & do nothing" is less than an ideal state for Am Yisrael. And so, although just entering a Sukka fulfills a Mitzva, Chazal prescribe eating food there & saying abracha that includes "layshayv b’Sukka." And we show further action when we take the Arba Minim & wave them in every direction; some even move their bodies while doing the waving. And we get out of our seats & walk around the Bet Knesset as we recite the Hoshanot. The message here is that we must become personally & physically involved in the experience of Judaism, rather than be silent, passive & detached.
This past week, Am Yisrael suffered a tragic loss when Ari Fuld HY"D was murdered by yet another cowardly Palestinian terrorist (who has since been praised & monetarily rewarded by the evil Palestinian Authority). Ari (like all the Ari’s I know!) was not content to just sit on the sidelines & silently watch Israel go by. He was filled with an inexhaustible energy; a doer, an activist whose every moment, every talent was devoted to Israel’s well-being & success. Even when mortally wounded, he courageously fought back.
The greatest tribute we can give Ari, the greatest memorial to his life, is for us to become more involved ourselves, banishing our apathy & inertia & doing whatever we can to destroy our enemies, while building up our people and our country. Each of us has our own unique strengths; let us identify & utilize them for a greater cause.
The symbolism of the circles we make during Hoshanot & the Na’anuim we do with the Lulav are reminders that each & every one of us can be a mover & a shaker!
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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.
