Bs”d
Succos (5773)
by Mordechai Dolinsky
The main goal and purpose of Yom tov is to connect with Hashem and to grow from the Yom Tov. Daven Shacharis with hislahavus, during the meals connect with the “L’maan yaidu doroseichem”, during the avoda of the 4 minim connect with thoughts of incorporating all our strength, harnessing them to the Ratzon HaShem.
Chag Sameach.
Bs”d
Shabbos Chol HaMoed Succos (5772)
by Mordechai Dolinsky
Being in the Succa is to crystalize the idea that the Shchina is above us. What is unique in this, this thought is the whole foundation of our emunah. In the Succah we are granted permission to point to the schach and declare– there– is ththe Shchina. The naaanuim of the daled minim is to declare that Hashem is all around, up, down, east, west etc. What is uniqe? This is the basis of our faith. Here again the awesomeness is that we are granted permissiom to point and declare– there is Hashem.
Have a simchas Yom Tov with all the brachos and a wonderful Shabbos.
Bs”d
Succos 5772
by Mordechai Dolinsky
With all the fanfare and fuss of the preparation of Yom Tov we must in focus the essence of the Chag that by transfering our complete dwelling to the Succah we are acknowledging and commemorating the love, concern and care that Hashem displayed to us in the life threatening surrounding of the desert for 40 years. The point of the lesson is that He continues to do so. To see it and realize it is the greatest source of simcha. V’samachta b’chagecha– with love to all and blessing for a joyous and meaningful Yom Tov.
Bs”d
Shabbos Chol HaMoed Succos (5771)
by Mordechai Dolinsky
The reference to the regalim in Shmone Esray—Chag HaMatzos, zman cherusainu, Chag Shavuos zman matan Toraseinu; the parallel should be Chag Succos and the appropriate miracle which was the cause of the Yom Tov. Instead it puzzlingly says zman simchaseinu. The simcha obviously is the cause of the Yom Tov. The open demonstration of Hashem was so strong that it dominated the physical aspect of the miracle. Hashem’s showing Himself openly is the biggest simcha. Thus, the simcha is the actual cause of the Yom Tov.
Remember in the Succah to relate to the Shchina which is manifested in the Schach and to feel Hashem’s love for us and His constant concern and great kindness.
Have a joyous and meaningful Shabbos.
Bs”d
Succos (5770)
By Mordechai Dolinsky
For some, the ushering in of Succos is a welcome relaxation from the stress and tension of Yomim Noraim, to be enjoyed with pickled tongue and cold beer. For others it is a continuation of the intensive connection with the Shechinah and the presence of Hashem, basking in the Divine Presence in perhaps the most extreme manifestation possible in this world.
All to enjoy! Have a most joyous Chag.
Bs”d
Shmimi Atzeres (5770)
By Mordechai Dolinsky
Hashem gave us on Rosh Hashana through the shofar the ability to go into the inner sanctum as the Kohain Gadol on Yom Kippur the the Kodshai Kodshim. On Shabbos Rosh Hashana (as this year), we can do it even without the shofar as our Avos were able to fulfill the mitzvos without the tools.
The succah gives us likewise this awesome opportunity of extreme closeness with Hashem similar to the above. On Shmini Atzeres we have the opportunity to do all the above without any tools, just us and Hashem. Awesome for all of us that understand and appreciate.
All the blessing of the Yom Tov and a wonderful Shabbos.
Bs”d
Shmini Atzeres (5769)
By Mordechai Dolinsky
Succos and Shmini Atzeres are extentins of Rosh Hashanah, the great time of judgment. Shmini Atzeres is the climax. It is the yom tov of joy despite the judgment. The greatest test to be judged on is the service of simcha in Hashem and His Torah.
Yom Tov sameach v’ hayisa ach sameach.
Bs”d
Shabbos Chol HaMoed Succos (5769)
By Mordechai Dolinsky
According to the Tur who is of the opinion that the protection afforded our forefathers in the Midbar were the clouds of glory and not the succos, why were the succos commanded by the Torah to remind us of the clouds of glory?
Hashem could have selected many means to save us, i.e., one great general unspecified miracle labeled “saved by Hashem”, but instead the clouds of glory acted the role of an actual succah. This is the greatest of miracles for it demonstrates that Hashem is truly with us and is aware of our actual needs and fulfills them.
This is an awesome demonstration of Hashem’s love, care and intimate interest and concern for our necessities and His supreme ability to fulfill them. This is the focus of succos and the enlightenment of Shabbos. It should be a source of true joy and blessings.
Good Shabbos and have simchas HaChag.
Bs”d
Succos (5769)
By Mordechai Dolinsky
Succos is a most vital ingredient in our spiritual nourishment for the year. The greatest benefit we can derive from it is by focusing in depth on the open demonstration of Hashem’s sovereignty that He displayed by keeping alive Klal Yisroel for the duration of their years in the desert.
Have a meaningful, simchadik Yom Tov.
Bs”d
Succos (5768)
By Mordechai Dolinsky
The Torah expresses to us its selection of the esrog that it can remain growing on the tree from year to year—hador al hailan mishana l’shana, We may say that this is more than a hint but is rather an outstanding attribute of its essence.
Why is this a positive attribute? It is noteworthy that in the course of the awesome Yom Kippur service the Kohain Gadol has whole array of objects that their beginnings are waiting for his continued service. He says vidui on the “par” the it waits; he makes a goral on the goats and then they wait; he again goes back to the “par” makes a second vidui, slaughters it and then it waits, this process goes on and on. From the complete picture of this emerges a concept of the supreme importance of allowing something to stand for the right time to come. Likewise the essence of an esrog is that it can stand from year to year. This is supreme lesson for life-don’t insist on “now”, allow time for the right thing to happen.
Have a very joyous and significant Shmini Atzeres and Simchas Torah.
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