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Each holiday has a specific date. The korban Pesach is sacrificed on the 14th of Nissan (the first month) and Pesach is celebrated with a day of Yom Tov on the 15th and another such day on the 21st of Nissan. Fifty days after the omer is brought we celebrate the holiday that we call Shavu'ot. Sukkot is celebrated with a day of Yom Tov on the 15th of Tishrei (the seventh month) and again on the 22nd day of the month.
One thing that sets the Jewsih community living in Israel apart from their brothers and sisters living in the Diaspora is the celebration of these very holidays. While the Torah specifically mentions the date of each celebration, Diaspora Jewish communities keep an extra day for each one. (I trust that many of those reading these lines grew up thinking that having a seder two nights running or following Shemini Atzeret with Simhat Torah is the "normal" practice.) The well known reason for this division is the statement that appears in the Gemara (Beitza 4b) that Diaspora communities still follow the traditions developed by their forefathers at a time when messages about the declaration of the new moon did not reach their communities in time to be certain about the correct date on which to celebrate the various festivals.
It is interesting to note that there is an entirely different approach to these different traditions. Rav Sa'adiah Ga'on is quoted as saying that there is a Torah obligation for Diaspora communities to keep two days of Yom Tov rather than the single day mentioned in the Torah. This idea is further developed by the Shulhan Arukh Ha-Rav which teaches that keeping two days of Yom Tov in the Diaspora stems from the need to work twice as hard in the Diaspora to reach the level of Yom Tov sanctity that is reached in one day in Israel.
Thus, the Torah requires Jews living in exile to celebrate an extra day in an attempt to reach the state of holiness that comes naturally to a Jew who is living in his homeland.
Shalom Berger is on faculty at the Lookstein Center for Jewish Education at Bar-Ilan University. He lives in Alon Shvut with his wife and seven children. Prior to his Aliya in 1991, Shalom lived in New York and taught in Frisch and in HAFTR.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
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Shoftim TESHUVA IN COURT OF LAW?
Parshat Shoftim-Chodesh Elul
Why does parshat Shoftim always come out during Elul? This innovative and central explanation is an eye-opener regarding many aspects of Judaism.
The Month of Elul TESHUVA IS THE ANSWER
The month of Elul serves as a vital time for self-reflection and personal accountability to prepare for true repentance.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Chemdat Yamim The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Re'e NEVER EXTREME EXCEPT ISRAEL
Parshat Re'eh
Judaism is against extremism, so how can we understand the seemingly extreme statements found in our sages in favor of living in the Land of Israel and against living in Chutz laAretz? The article deals with the seeming contradiction between the strength of Free-Will and the strength of being influenced by our surroundings.
Ekev DANCE FOR ISRAEL- FOR YOUR BENEFIT
Parshat Eikev
Description: The 7 Haftarot we read after Tisha B'Av ("Shiva D'Nichemta") surely get us excited that they're coming TRUE, and awaken us to yearn, dance & join the return to Zion! The short article also deals with the problems and solutions facing the American Jewish community as discussed at a recent panel, as well as the question why Jews come from America to Israel to help when we face problems, but Israelis don't come to aid Jews in America when they face anti-Semitism.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
