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Beit Midrash
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Jewish Holidays
- Sukkot
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Jewish Holidays
- Hanukkah
The Torah highlights the element of simcha on Sukkot (Devarim 16:14). The main basis for simcha relates to the physical bounty of the agricultural year in Israel, which finishes on Sukkot. The joy cannot be complete without sharing the bounty with the needy in society. To ensure this, the Torah commands the farmer to follow the laws of ma’asrot (tithes). These benefit: 1) The kohen and levi, who invest their time in the nation’s spiritual needs and are excluded from the "competition" for economic success; 2) The poor, who fare poorly in their economic efforts. 3) The disadvantaged (the foreigner, the widow, and the orphan). After each small cycle of ma’asrot (3 years) the laws known as biur ma’asrot are employed to check if the giver administered his donations properly.
When is this check carried out? The Yerushalmi had a thought that it might be appropriate on Chanukah. Although the idea is rejected, the possibility alone seems strange considering that Chanukah is rabbinic and the laws of viduy ma’aser are from the Torah. Apparently, in addition to the holiday as we know it, Chanukah marks the completion of the final stages of harvesting. Therefore, there is an element of thanking Hashem for physical success on Chanukah as well.
Sukkot is also a time for spiritual simcha, at the close of the period of repentance. This simcha finds expression in the simchat beit hasho’eva celebration in the Beit Hamikdash. As part of the celebration, jugs of olive oil were brought, which flooded the Temple and Jerusalem as a whole with light (mishna, Sukka 5: 2-3), along with dancing with torches. Additionally, the festivities’ quality had a spiritual element powerful enough to bring prophecy to those who had not previously experienced it (Yerushalmi 5:1).
The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 670:2) says that festive meals on Chanukah are elective. The Rama adds that some say that there is an element of mitzvah to such meals because of the consecration of the altar. The Mishna Berura (ad loc.:6) explains the difference between Chanukah and Purim in this regard. Chanukah celebrates salvation from spiritual danger and, therefore, we celebrate spiritually by lighting candles. Purim celebrates salvation from death and, therefore, includes festive meals.
After seeing the two elements of Sukkot and the connection between Sukkot and Chanukah, we can make the following claim. While lighting spiritual lights, we use olive oil also in order to incorporate an element of thanks for their harvest as well, which, in the Hasmonaean times, became possible because of victory in battle. The lighting itself represents the victory over the darkness of Greek idolatry. In our times, we have merited to celebrate and thank Hashem for both spiritual and nationalistic Divine gifts.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
