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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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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.
