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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Sukkot
- The Essence of Sukkot
But there is another side of Sukkot, which brings elements of the Yamim Nora’im mood into the festive holiday. It is the time of the year that we are judged on the water supply for the upcoming year (Rosh Hashana 16a). Although during the time of the Beit Hamikdash, the Simchat Beit Hasho’eva put on an overflowing happy face to the thought of water (Sukka 51a), during Hoshana Rabba and the Tefillat Geshem on Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah, we approach the issue more solemnly.
Is this complexity just a "coincidence," due to the proximity of Sukkot to the new rainy season in Eretz Yisrael? Even if it were, it would still highlight the fact that Hashem created life in Eretz Yisrael, the national and natural home of the Jewish People, in a manner that makes the end of one agricultural year the beginning of the preparations for the next one. There is no greater classical determinant for the success of the upcoming crop than rain (see Devarim 11:17) and rain in Eretz Yisrael is a major focus of Hashem (ibid. 12). So our first preparation for the new crop, as we celebrate the previous one, is to daven for rain.
Soon after praying for rain, in the early autumn/winter months, a farmer has to decide about his level of ambition and optimism. Does he have enough belief in what Hashem has planned for his year to allocate a lot of grain for sowing and future gain, instead of eating it for present comfort (see Tosafot, Shabbat 31a)? He is encouraged by last year’s crop, but nervous as seen in the need to daven with great fervor for the rain. Perhaps he takes the lesson from Yom Kippur – after the hard spiritual work, we are optimistic. Perhaps he is inspired by the reminders of the sukkot in which our nation dwelled – reminders that when Hashem wants to give us blessing, nothing can stop His help for those He loves.
Although agriculture now plays a much smaller part in the lives of most of us, the lessons are similar. We have to make decisions about personal parallels to sowing the land and rain. We can use our resources (including our time and energy) for building in a way that makes life somewhat challenging – such as starting a family, making aliya, embarking on an ambitious positive project. May we be inspired by the holy and happy holiday of Sukkot to, on the one hand, not take things for granted but to turn to Hashem in prayer. On the other hand, let us use a healthy dose of bitachon to be active in chasing those dreams.
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.
