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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Jewish Holidays
- Sukkot
There are countries that grant citizenship to those who live in the land on a permanent basis for two years, and some have stricter qualifications. To qualify for Israelite citizenship, one does not need to live on a permanent basis; we prefer those who live on a temporary basis! The true ezrach is one who leaves his permanent dwelling and goes to live in a temporary dwelling – the sukka (see Sukka 2a).
The Torah describes Sukkot as the holiday of the time of the harvest (see Chagiga 18a). At this time, farmers stop working in the fields and go to enjoy their homes with some permanence. The mitzva of sukka comes to ensure that they do not get caught up in their successes, as their house becomes a temporary one through which one can still see the stars and feel the presence of the heavens. When the holiday is over and people return to their homes, they give less credence to reliance on their own abilities. This is when we can say that one is happy with the holiday along with his children, servants and the area’s levi’im, converts, orphans and widows (see Devarim 16:14). That is because one who thinks he alone is responsible for his success has more trouble sharing with others. When he gives, it is without the proper feeling of brotherhood. True Jewish citizenship is when one gives with happiness to his counterpart; this is what is accomplished by sitting in the sukka.
Foreigners did not receive this secret. Other nations believe in building and attributing it to their abilities. They live in permanent houses, which they built for themselves, and they build metal fences around their properties. They call out with boastfulness that everything is theirs; they protect their own and try to obtain that which is not theirs.
A sukka is a synonym of peace. The sukka’s inhabitant knows how to celebrate Hashem’s blessing, whether it is impressive or not, and shares the small amount of bread he has. This is not the lot of one who lives in a spacious house and does not know how to share with others but desires more and more. He does not know of peace but of inspiring jealousy. Knowing how to live in the sukka in times of peace teaches Israel to appreciate peace in times of war. While the big houses and fortresses are destroyed despite their defenses, the flimsy sukkot survive.
These lessons are true in relation to actual sukkot and also sukkot of the divine clouds (see Sukka 11b). Chazal teach that one who sits in a sukka in this world will merit to sit in the sukka of the leviathan in the world to come (Bava Batra 75a). Frequently, frightening beasts attack nations, and think they will vanquish forever. We are promised that by living in the sukka, we will ultimately see the downfall of the powerful and receive reward for our trust in Hashem.
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.
