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Sukkot - Commemorating What?

In the midrash we find three explanations for this mitzva.

Sukkot, Emunah & Cherophobia: Solving the Fears of Happiness

Sukkot is the climax of agricultural success, but also brings with it the anxiety & nervousness regarding the upcoming season. The Sukkah represents the clouds which precede the rainy season, & are the time when God judges us regarding rain. Cherophobia is a common problem where happiness & accomplishment are accompanied by fear: After I've achieved my goals, there's a feeling of emptiness- What do I do now?!". Also, we ask like Kohelet, "Why am I still not happy?!". There's also the fear that I may lose or someone will take away what I've achieved. Also the fear "what if people reveal that I'm really not so talented?". Sukkot are termed in kabbala: "The Shade of Emuna", that only God has absolute success, & only He can provide security regarding past & future.

Sukkot stories

"Rabbi Alnekaveh told a story he heard once from an etrog-seller who used to bring Rav Eliyahu etrogim to check: "It is well-known that Rab Eliyahu could look at an etrog for mere seconds and immediately discern its advantages and defects..."

Parashat “Shema” and Parashat “Vehaya Im Shamoa”

Parashiot Shema Israel and Vehaya im shamoa contain the indispensable principles of the special nature of living in the Land of Israel. Therefore, Moshe teaches the people of Israel these Parashiot at the threshold of The Promised Land.

Parashat Hashavua Series'Library Piskei Din (Hebrew)Test Yourself

Parashat Bereshit

The Beginning of Inter-Gender Relationships

Parashat Bereshit

Rabbi Yossef Carmel | 26 Tishrei 5766

Parashat Bereshit

Taking Responsibility

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks | Tishrei 23 5781

The Root of the Evil

Parashat Bereshit

Rabbi Yossef Carmel | 24 Tishrei 5765

Why Be Happy?

Simchat Torah - V’zot Habracha

Shemini Atzeret

Make The Torah Happy!

Rabbi Stewart Weiss | Tishrei 12 5776

Daf Yomi Bava Basra Daf 117

R' Eli Stefansky | 18 Tishrei 5785

49 min

Bava Batra

Daf Yomi Bava Basra Daf 106

R' Eli Stefansky | 7 Tishrei 5785

Bemare Habazak - Rabbis Questions

Ask the Rabbi: How to Acquire Borrowed Araba’a Minim?

Rabbi Daniel Mann | Tishrei 5785

51 min

Bava Batra

Daf Yomi Bava Basra Daf 108

R' Eli Stefansky | 9 Tishrei 5785

Recent Lessons

Popular Lessons

Various Subjects

Understanding the Shalom Zachor

Rabbi Avraham Rosenthal | Cheshvan 12 5780

1:00

Hosha'ana Rabba

The Secret Essence of Hoshana Rabba

Hoshana Rabba is one of the least understood days of the Jewish calendar. What is the source of her specialness, which isn't mentioned at all in the Torah? The class deals with the ancient sources for 3 different aspects of Hoshana Rabba which in fact, overlap and harmonize to give us a deeper understanding of this final day of Sukkot, as the "final appeal" sealing how our year is going to look!

Rabbi Ari Shvat | Tishrei 21 5782

Revivim

The Meaning of Shmini Atzeret

Why is there an extra holiday added on to the Sukkot holiday.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Tishrei 16 5776

Naso

The Mitzvah of “Duchening” - Birchas Kohanim

The basic Halachot of Duchening, taking off shoes and washing hands, Why Is This Mitzvah Called Duchening? The connection between Duchening and dreams...

Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | 5769

Lessons Series

P'ninat Mishpat (747)

P'ninat Mishpat: What is Included in Costs of the Elevator?

based on ruling 82159 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts

Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit | Tishrei 5785

P'ninat Mishpat: A Flawed Used Car – part II

based on ruling 82171 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts

Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit | Elul 5784

P'ninat Mishpat: A Flawed Used Car – part I

based on ruling 82171 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts

Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit | Elul 5784

Not Completed and Imperfect Renovation Job – part II

based on ruling 83063 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts

Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit | Elul 5784

P'ninat Mishpat (747)

In Lev 7 and Lev 17 and many other places in the Torah there are references to a punishment of "cut off" from his people. On the surface this would seem like being excommunicated. Does it have more meaning? What are the implications of being "cut off"? (Physical, emotional, social, economic, etc.)

Answer

Being cut-off or Karet in the words of the Torah is discussed in several places. The simple understanding of Karet is not a physical or social punishment rather a spiritual heavenly punishment where the soul is cut off [to a certain degree] from the spiritual destiny that awaits the Jewish nation. The Talmud associates the Karet to have two indications here in this word the first is the early death usually before the age of fifty and the second is the childless death [see Babylonian Talmud Moed Katan 28a and Rashi on tractate Shabbat 25b]

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