Monthly Archives: October 2022

Breishis 5783

Breishis

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APPRECIATION; THE VERY FIRST EXPECTATION

Immediately following the seven days of creation the Torah tells us that HaShem did not bring rain to the world. In spite of all the vegetation being created on the third day no plant began its growth until the first rain. That first rain did not occur until after Adam was created on the sixth day. The reason HaShem waited for Man to arrive was because there was nobody who would appreciate the rain. Adam knew that rain was needed and he davened that it should rain. It was only after his prayer and his recognition did HaShem bring rain to the world.

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Breishis 5779

Breishis

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THE MAP

We have now arrived at the other end of the Elul – Rosh Hashanah – Yom Kippur – Succos – Simchas Torah period. We recited Psalm 27 twice a day, we blew the shofar daily, every day we woke up earlier than usual, we recited hundreds of selichos and walked round the Torah scrolls. With all that behind us we will now begin reading the Torah from it’s very beginning.

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Noach 5778

Noach

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BITTERSWEET; THE HEAVENLY TASTE

In this week’s Parsha, the Torah tells the story of Noach sending the dove out of the Teiva (Ark) to see if the waters of the Great Flood receded. The dove returned with an olive leaf in her beak. The Torah underscores that this olive leaf was in her beak for eating purposes. We know that the olive leaf is very bitter and Noach had prepared nutritious food for all the animals. Why did the dove pass up on the tasty food for bitter food? Our Sages teach us that “it is better to take bitter food from the hands of HaKadosh baruch Hu than take the tasty food from the hands of Man.” In other words; it is better to take a hand-out from HaShem than taking a hand-out from Man.

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Zos Habracha / Succos 5778

Succos, Zos Habracha

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CROWNS ARE FOR KINGS

The end of the Succos holiday culminates with Simchas Torah, a celebration of our concluding the reading of the Torah and the restarting it up once again. But why are we celebrating the Torah at the conclusion of Succos and not on the holiday of Shavuous, which celebrates the receiving of the the Torah at Mount Sinai?

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Zos Habracha / Succos 5779

Succos, Zos Habracha

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UNCONDITIONAL AND ABSOLUTE

Our Sages teach us that the Esrog represents the one who has both Torah study and good deeds, the Lulav represents the one who has Torah study but lacks good deeds, the Hadassim represent the one who has good deeds but lacks Torah study and finally the Arava represents the Jew lacks both Torah study and good deeds. These four types of plants are brought together and held in the hands of every Jew as he celebrates his Succos holiday. The imagery can be appreciated as we bring all types of Jews together and in unison we draw ourselves close to HaShem.

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Zos Habracha / Succos 5780

Succos, Zos Habracha

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THE NOTES

For the past several weeks we have been using the parallel of the orchestra to gain a taste of our holidays. We understand Rosh Hashanah as our commitment to participate in the orchestra and to accept the direction from our Conductor. On the days leading up to Yom Kippur we prepared to remove any barriers that would interfere with the communication between the Conductor and ourselves. On Yom Kippur the Conductor Himself removed those barriers. During the subsequent days we pre-pared for our performance by gathering the instruments and preparing the symphony hall in which to perform. Finally, on Succos we actually perform. With our Lulav and Esrog in hand and our hearts swelling with joy that we have been chosen to perform and be so close to the Conductor, we sing our Hallel in perfect harmony to our Conductor. Every Jew performs with the instruments he was given following the notes that are designed for him. Even the non-Jews will come to hear the performance; they are, after all, the audience.

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Succos II 5781

Succos

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KEEPING CLOSE

The holidays of our calendar are more than days of commemoration, they are periods when we, as a people, and as individuals experience spiritual growth. The more we appreciate what the holidays express the more we can grow. If Shmini Atzeres and Simchas Torah are the conclusion of this period of holidays starting with Rosh Hashanah followed by Yom Kippur and continuing into Succos there must be some great opportunity of spiritual growth.

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