Tree Tastes Like the Fruit

Rav Kook explains why the Abarbanel (Dvarim 16) writes that just as Pesach celebrates Am Yisrael, and Shavu'ot- Torat Yisrael, Sukkot represents a microcosm of Eretz Yisrael! The common denominator between many aspects of the holiday and her mitzvot is that the ideal world, as was meant to be created, is to have taste in the tree (preparations), and not just in the fruit, an essential greatness in Eretz Yisrael and the Sukkah, where even the mundane is holy.

When You Harvest

Filling the Vacuum – Literally

The Four Species of Sukkot - Victory!

All Citizens in Israel

From V’samachta B’chagecha, p. 6

From V’samachta B’chagecha, p. 6

Gifts to the Poor

Schach Infestation

based on Rav Moshe Vaye’s sefer Bedikas HaMazon

based on Rav Moshe Vaye’s sefer Bedikas HaMazon

Judgement or Joy?

How can Hoshana Rabba be a day of such happiness if it is actually a day of judgement?

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!

The Ushpizin in Kabbalah

The other-world Ushpizin guests are: Avraham, Yitzchak, Yaakov, Moshe, Aharon, David and Yosef HaTzaddik. Yosef is not mentioned specifically in the Zohar - as opposed to Miriam, the sister of Moshe and Aharon - and so we should ask: Why was Yosef, of all our many righteous forebears, chosen as one of the guests? (We will also relate below to why Miriam is not included in our Ushpizin.)

Sukkot stories about Rav Mordechai Eliyahu zt'l

"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..."

Returning to the Land

The Sukkot holiday is full of mitzvot (good deeds), including the mitzvah of the lulav, the four species. Our Sages say that the four species are similar to weapons - the lulav is similar to a sword, or perhaps a rifle, the etrog maybe to a grenade. In any event, the Sages intend to tell us that there are spiritual wars and there are physical wars, and Man in this world must confront various pests and ward them off.

Absence makes the heart Grow fonder..

The “3 Festivals” (or “R’galim”) have connections between them- such as the ‘Hekish’ (connection) between Pesach and Succos.

The Day The Music Died

Music has a tremendous power - for the good or the bad. It all depends on the soul of the composer and the musician.

Hut One, Hut Two..

Moshe’s final speech is really biting & critical. So much talk about all the negative things that can & will happen to us if we stray from G-d. I ask you: Is this really how Moshe wants to be remembered?

What Are the Laws & Customs of the Upcoming Sukkot Holiday?

Succot's Relief

The culmination of the great month of Tishrei occurs with the commemoration of the holiday of Succot. It provides a joyful relief and release from the intensity of the first two major holidays of the month, Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur.

Taste the Tree Like the Fruit- Sukkot as a Microcosm of Eretz Yisrael

Rav Kook points out that just as most of the tree is roots, trunk, branches and leaves, despite the fact that the goal is the fruit, similarly most of life is preparations (e.g. eating, dress, work, cooking, raising children), and often one doesn't even achieve his goal. Does that mean that he wasted his life?! The basic question is, if most of life is "tree", and I want to have meaning in life, I have no choice but to find a way to have "taste" in the tree, not just in the fruit. This was the original plan in Eden, and is meant to be the ideal lifestyle, as expressed in the Etrog where the tree tastes like her fruit. Eretz Yisrael is likened to Sukkot, where even the secular/mundane/"tree" has meaning/taste/holiness, and it's all a 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.