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?
Continue reading Zos Habracha / Succos 5778UNCONDITIONAL 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.
Continue reading Zos Habracha / Succos 5779THE 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.
Continue reading Zos Habracha / Succos 5780KEEPING 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.
Continue reading Succos II 5781MUSCLE BUILDING
We know that everything that happens to us comes from HaShem. When everything in life runs smoothly we ‘understand’ why everything is smooth. However, when life becomes complicated we struggle to understand why HaShem changed His plan. How are we to make sense out of circumstances when they go totally out of control. This question sits on my mind as we all find ourselves in the middle of Covid and life has spun out of control. Although we have no Navi to direct us to the answer, nevertheless, there are clues to which we must pay attention.
Continue reading Succos I 5781RV’S OR MANSIONS
Every one of our holidays commemorates an historic event. Succos is unique in that it commemorates the duration of our travels through the desert and that HaShem placed us in huts. Alternatively, there is an opinion that Succos commemorates HaShem’s protecting us with the Clouds of Glory. The question therefore is why was the 15th day of Tishrei chosen more than any other day?
Continue reading Succos 5782THE SONG OF OUR DESTINY
The Shira of Ha’azinu contains the entire destiny of our people. From the beginning when HaShem chose us to be His, all the way through to when we will arrive at our final destination when we will have accomplished the mission that was designed for us.
Continue reading Ha’azinu 5783NOT JUST WHAT, BUT WHO
The single most important trait the Jew must have is hakaras hatov, appreciation, for the kindness that is bestowed on him. The Jewish people are a nation whose existence is not tied to a land but is tied to a relationship with HaShem. The cement that is used in building relationships is appreciation. Hence, both as a nation and as individuals the Jew must recognize the kindness that Ha-Shem bestows upon us as a nation and upon us as individuals and reciprocate that kindness to the best of their ability.
Continue reading Ha’azinu 5782MORE THAN JUST VIGOROUS EXERCISE
Taken from a discussion with Rav Hopfer
Rambam writes “when one does teshuva they must recite viduy (to confess their wrongdoing) in front of HaShem” in a different place he writes “It is a mitzvah to do teshuva in front of HaShem” . In both places Rambam underscores that both teshuva and viduy must be done in front of HaShem. The implication of this detail is that the words used in the viduy reflect that one is speaking to HaShem and not simply reciting a confession to oneself.
THE PERFORMANCE
As we find ourselves in this season of the holidays we must won-der how they connect to one another and what is the understanding of their progression. Perhaps we can return to the model of our orchestra. On Rosh Hashana we establish our commitment to participating as active participants in HaShem’s symphony.
Continue reading Ha’azniu 5780