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Simchat Torah and Shmini Atzeret
articles on Simchat Torah and Shmini Atzeret
Succot / Simchat Torah
Succot concludes with the especially joyous day of Simchat Torah
The Meaning of Shmini Atzeret
Why is there an extra holiday added on to the Sukkot holiday?
End Without an Ending
A Shiur by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks for the weekly portion "v'zot Haberacha"
Simchat Torah for those Not Completing the Torah Reading
We have missed a few weeks of the Torah reading when our shul was closed. Does this effect our ability to celebrate?
Lessons on Simchat Torah and Shmini Atzeret
Beans, Fear & Simchat Torah: A Spiritual Recipe for the Heart & Soul
Rav Kook's innovative explanation of why lentils should only be eaten once a month, but not every day, deals with the difference between Yom Kippur and Sukkot/Simchat Torah, and the (rare) place for fear of death & punishment, as opposed to awe and love, which are our primary stress.
Simchat Torah for those Not Completing the Torah Reading
Hopefully, I/we will be able to make it to shul for Simchat Torah (=ST), but I and many others will not be finishing up the Torah reading, as we missed a few weeks when our shul was closed. Does this effect our ability to celebrate ST, halachically or experientially?
Lessons
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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.
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.
Rabbis on Simchat Torah and Shmini Atzeret
