| Yehuda Lave is an author, journalist, psychologist, rabbi, spiritual teacher, and coach, with degrees in business, psychology and Jewish Law. He works with people from all walks of life and helps them in their search for greater happiness, meaning, business advice on saving money, and spiritual engagement. Love Yehuda Lave Join my blog by sending me an email to YehudaLave@gmail.com | | | | | The Three Musketeers at the Kotel | | | | | | The Three are Rabbi Yehuda Glick, famous temple mount activist, and former Israel Mk, and then Robert Weinger, the world's greatest shofar blower and seller of Shofars, and myself after we had gone to the 12 gates of the Temple Mount in 2020 to blow the shofar to ask G-d to heal the world from the Pandemic. It was a highlight to my experience in living in Israel and I put it on my blog each day to remember. The articles that I include each day are those that I find interesting, so I feel you will find them interesting as well. I don't always agree with all the points of each article but found them interesting or important to share with you, my readers, and friends. It is cathartic for me to share my thoughts and frustrations with you about life in general and in Israel. As a Rabbi, I try to teach and share the Torah of the G-d of Israel as a modern Orthodox Rabbi. I never intend to offend anyone but sometimes people are offended and I apologize in advance for any mistakes. The most important psychological principle I have learned is that once someone's mind is made up, they don't want to be bothered with the facts, so, like Rabbi Akiva, I drip water (Torah is compared to water) on their made-up minds and hope that some of what I have share sinks in. Love Rabbi Yehuda Lave. | | | | | | | Chol Hamoed and Sukkot calander | | | | | | Thursday-Sunday | Oct. 6-9—Tishrei 11–14 As soon as the solemn day of Yom Kippur is behind us, we focus on the traditions of the upcoming holiday of Sukkot. These four days between Yom Kippur and Sukkot are characterized by frenetic activity—purchasing of the Four Kinds, erecting the sukkah hut, inviting guests for the forthcoming holiday, shopping for and preparing all the meals, and purchasing new clothing in honor of the holiday. Click here for a purchaser's guide for the Four Kinds. Click here for a sukkah building guide. Click here for traditional holiday recipes. | | | Sunday | October 9—Tishrei 14
The Day Before Sukkot It is customary to bind together the Four Kinds—the lulav, hadassim and aravot—today, while in the sukkah. Click here to learn how. On the day before Sukkot it is traditional to give extra charity, for true joy is sharing with others. Women and girls light holiday candles—preferably in the sukkah—in order to usher in the holiday. Click here for the text of the blessings, and here for local candle-lighting times. Click here for a summary of the laws of Yom Tov. Click here for a digest of the laws of dwelling in the sukkah. After evening prayers, we enjoy a holiday meal. Even if it is pouring rain, on this night it is a mitzvah to at least make kiddush and eat an ounce of challah in the sukkah. We dip the challah in honey. The group of supernal guests—Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Aaron, Joseph and David—who grace our sukkahs throughout the holiday (known as ushpizin) are tonight and tomorrow led by our Patriarch Abraham. The chassidic entourage of ushpizin—consisting of the Baal Shem Tov, the Maggid of Mezeritch, the Alter Rebbe, the Mitteler Rebbe, the Tzemach Tzedek, the Rebbe Maharash, the Rebbe Rashab and the Rebbe Rayatz—is led by the Baal Shem Tov. Tonight begins the Simchat Beit Hasho'eivah celebrations. It is customary to dance and sing in commemoration of the water-drawing festivals held nightly in the Holy Temple throughout the holiday of Sukkot. Click here for more on Simchat Beit Hasho'eivah. | | | Monday | October 10—Tishrei 15
1st day of Sukkot We shake the Four Kinds. Click here for a how-to guide. Morning service. Full Hallel is recited, followed by the Hoshanot (circling of the synagogue's reading table with the Four Kinds, while reciting special prayers petitioning G‑d for ample livelihood in the coming year).
Two Torah scrolls are taken out of the ark.
Torah reading: Leviticus 22:26–23:44 and Numbers 29:12–16.
Haftorah: Zechariah 14:1–21. The priests bless the congregation with the priestly blessing during the Musaf prayer. Festive lunch meal in the sukkah. We dip the challah in honey. After dark, women and girls light candles—preferably in the sukkah—for the second day of Sukkot, using an existing flame. Click here for the text of the blessings, and here for local candle-lighting times. After evening prayers, a festive holiday meal in the sukkah. We dip the challah in honey. The group of supernal guests—Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Aaron, Joseph and David—who grace our sukkahs throughout the holiday (known as ushpizin) are tonight and tomorrow led by our Patriarch Isaac. The chassidic entourage of ushpizin—consisting of the Baal Shem Tov, the Maggid of Mezeritch, the Alter Rebbe, the Mitteler Rebbe, the Tzemach Tzedek, the Rebbe Maharash, the Rebbe Rashab and the Rebbe Rayatz—is led by the Maggid of Mezeritch. Simchat Beit Hasho'eivah celebrations continue. It is customary to dance and sing in commemoration of the water-drawing festivals held nightly in the Holy Temple throughout the holiday of Sukkot. Click here for more on Simchat Beit Hasho'eivah. | | | Tuesday | October 11—Tishrei 16
2nd Day of Sukkot
We shake the Four Kinds. Click here for a how-to guide. Morning service. Full Hallel is recited, followed by the Hoshanot (circling of the synagogue's reading table with the Four Kinds, while reciting special prayers petitioning G‑d for ample livelihood in the coming year).
Two Torah scrolls are taken out of the ark.
Torah reading: Leviticus 22:26–23:44 and Numbers 29:12–16.
Haftorah: I Kings 8:2–21. The priests bless the congregation with the priestly blessing during the Musaf prayer. Festive lunch meal in the sukkah. We dip the challah in honey. Afternoon prayers. Evening prayers. After nightfall, perform the Havdalah ceremony in the Sukkah, while omitting the blessings on the spices and fire. The group of supernal guests—Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Aaron, Joseph and David—who grace our sukkahs throughout the holiday (known as ushpizin) are tonight and tomorrow led by our Patriarch Jacob. The chassidic entourage of ushpizin—consisting of the Baal Shem Tov, the Maggid of Mezeritch, the Alter Rebbe, the Mitteler Rebbe, the Tzemach Tzedek, the Rebbe Maharash, the Rebbe Rashab and the Rebbe Rayatz—is led by the the Alter Rebbe. Simchat Beit Hasho'eivah celebrations continue. It is customary to dance and sing in commemoration of the water-drawing festivals held nightly in the Holy Temple throughout the holiday of Sukkot. And now that the holiday has concluded, the festivities are often accompanied by live music. Click here for more on Simchat Beit Hasho'eivah. Celebrate Sukkot's Chol Hamoed ("intermediate days"). Between now and Shemini Atzeret, we may resume much (not all) of our regular, workday activities (not on Shabbat), but, of course, we continue to eat in the sukkah. It is customary to drink a glass of wine each day, in celebration of the festival. Click here for a digest of the laws of Chol Hamoed. | | | Wednesday | October 12—Tishrei 17
3rd day of Sukkot
1st day of Chol Hamoed Morning service: with the addition of the Yaaleh Veyavo insert in the Amidah. Morning service: In many communities, throughout the intermediate days of Sukkot, tefillin are not worn. Full Hallel is recited, followed by the Hoshanot (circling of the synagogue's reading table with the Four Kinds, while reciting special prayers petitioning G‑d for ample livelihood in the coming year). We say today's section of Hoshanot.
One Torah scroll is taken out of the ark.
Torah reading: Numbers 29:17–25. The Musaf amidah is recited. During all of the intermediate days, Yaaleh Veyavo is inserted during all prayers and in the Grace After Meals. Afternoon prayers. Evening prayers. The group of supernal guests—Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Aaron, Joseph and David—who grace our sukkahs throughout the holiday (known as ushpizin) are tonight and tomorrow led by Moses. The chassidic entourage of ushpizin—consisting of the Baal Shem Tov, the Maggid of Mezeritch, the Alter Rebbe, the Mitteler Rebbe, the Tzemach Tzedek, the Rebbe Maharash, the Rebbe Rashab and the Rebbe Rayatz—is led by the Mitteler Rebbe. Simchat Beit Hasho'eivah celebrations continue. It is customary to dance and sing in commemoration of the water-drawing festivals held nightly in the Holy Temple throughout the holiday of Sukkot.Click here for more on Simchat Beit Hasho'eivah. Click here for a Sukkot event in your location. | | | Thursday | October 13—Tishrei 18
4th day of Sukkot
2nd day of Chol Hamoed (intermediate day) We shake the Four Kinds. Click here for a how-to guide. Morning service: In many communities, throughout the intermediate days of Sukkot, tefillin are not worn.
Full Hallel is recited, followed by the Hoshanot (circling of the synagogue's reading table with the Four Kinds, while reciting special prayers petitioning G‑d for ample livelihood in the coming year). We say today's section of Hoshanot.
One Torah scroll is taken out of the ark.
Torah reading: Numbers 29:20–28. The Musaf amidah is recited. During all of the intermediate days, Yaaleh Veyavo is inserted during all prayers and in the Grace After Meals. Chol Hamoed (the "intermediate days") are observed with limited work restriction. Click here for a digest of the laws of Chol Hamoed. The group of supernal guests—Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Aaron, Joseph and David—who grace our sukkahs throughout the holiday (known as ushpizin) are tonight and tomorrow led by Aaron the high priest. The chassidic entourage of ushpizin—consisting of the Baal Shem Tov, the Maggid of Mezeritch, the Alter Rebbe, the Mitteler Rebbe, the Tzemach Tzedek, the Rebbe Maharash, the Rebbe Rashab and the Rebbe Rayatz—is led by the Tzemach Tzedek. Simchat Beit Hasho'eivah celebrations continue. It is customary to dance and sing in commemoration of the water-drawing festivals held nightly in the Holy Temple throughout the holiday of Sukkot. Click here for more on Simchat Beit Hasho'eivah. Click here for a Sukkot event in your location. | | | Friday | October 14—Tishrei 19
5th day of Sukkot
3rd day of Chol Hamoed (intermediate day) Morning service: In many communities, throughout the intermediate days of Sukkot, tefillin are not worn.
Full Hallel is recited.
Two Torah scrolls are taken out of the ark.
Torah reading: Exodus 33:12–34:26 and Numbers 29:23–28.
Haftorah: Ezekiel 38:18-39:16. The Musaf amidah is recited. During all of the Intermediate Days, Yaaleh Veyavo is inserted during all prayers and in the Grace After Meals. 18 minutes before sunset, women and girls light candles — preferably in the sukkah — for Shabbat. Click here for the text of the blessing, and here for local candle lighting times. The group of supernal guests—Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Aaron, Joseph and David—who grace our sukkahs throughout the holiday (known as ushpizin) are tonight and tomorrow led by Joseph. The chassidic entourage of ushpizin—consisting of the Baal Shem Tov, the Maggid of Mezeritch, the Alter Rebbe, the Mitteler Rebbe, the Tzemach Tzedek, the Rebbe Maharash, the Rebbe Rashab and the Rebbe Rayatz—is led by the Rebbe Maharash. Simchat Beit Hasho'eivah celebrations continue. It is customary to dance and sing in commemoration of the water-drawing festivals held nightly in the Holy Temple throughout the holiday of Sukkot. Click here for more on Simchat Beit Hasho'eivah. Click here for a Sukkot event in your location. | | | Shabbat | October 15—Tishrei 20
6th day of Sukkot
4th day Chol Hamoed We do not take the Four Kinds today in observance of Shabbat. Morning service: In many communities, throughout the intermediate days of Sukkot, tefillin are not worn.
Full Hallel is recited, followed by the Hoshanot (circling of the synagogue's reading table with the Four Kinds, while reciting special prayers petitioning G‑d for ample livelihood in the coming year).
One Torah scroll is taken out of the ark.
Torah reading: Numbers 29:26–34. The Musaf amidah is recited. During all of the Intermediate Days, Yaaleh Veyavo is inserted during all prayers and in the Grace After Meals. After abridged Shabbat evening prayers (with the addition of the Yaaleh Veyavo insert in the Amidah) festive Shabbat meal in the sukkah. After nightfall, perform the Havdalah ceremony in the Sukkah. The group of supernal guests—Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Aaron, Joseph and David — who grace our sukkahs throughout the holiday (known as ushpizin) are tonight and tomorrow led by King David. The chassidic entourage of ushpizin—consisting of the Baal Shem Tov, the Maggid of Mezeritch, the Alter Rebbe, the Mitteler Rebbe, the Tzemach Tzedek, the Rebbe Maharash, the Rebbe Rashab and the Rebbe Rayatz—is led by the Rebbe Rashab. Simchat Beit Hasho'eivah celebrations continue. It is customary to dance and sing in commemoration of the water-drawing festivals held nightly in the Holy Temple throughout the holiday of Sukkot. Click here for more on Simchat Beit Hasho'eivah. Click here for a Sukkot event in your location. Tonight and tomorrow is Hoshana Rabbah. It is customary in many communities to remain awake all night. It is traditional to recite the Book of Deuteronomy before midnight, and the Book of Psalms after midnight. | | | Sunday | October 16—Tishrei 21
7th day of Sukkot
5th day of Chol Hamoed (intermediate day)
Hoshana Rabbah We shake the Four Kinds. Click here for a how-to guide. Morning service: In many communities, throughout the intermediate days of Sukkot, tefillin are not worn.
Before Hallel, we remove the upper two bands from the lulav. Full Hallel is recited, followed by the Hoshanot (circling of the synagogue's reading table with the Four Kinds, while reciting special prayers petitioning G‑d for ample livelihood in the coming year). During today's Hoshanot we circle the reading table seven times, followed by several pages of special prayers, wherein we ask G‑d to bless us with abundant rain. At the conclusion of the Hoshanot we take a bundle of five willows, and with it we strike the ground five times.
One Torah scroll is taken out of the ark.
Torah reading: Numbers 29:26–34. The Musaf amidah is recited. During all of the intermediate days, Yaaleh Veyavo is inserted during all prayers and in the Grace After Meals. Chol Hamoed (the "intermediate days") are observed with limited work restrictions. Click here for a digest of the laws of Chol Hamoed. Many have the custom to eat kreplach—ground beef- or chicken-filled dough, folded into triangles—on this day. Click here for a recipe. These are usually eaten during the festive lunch meal, during which one also washes over challah or bread. Click here for more about Hoshana Rabbah. Tonight is Shemini Atzeret. Women and girls light holiday candles—preferably in the sukkah—in order to usher in the holiday. Click here for the text of the blessings, and here for local candle-lighting times. Please refer to our Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah Calendar for further instructions. | | | | | | Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto. | | | | An 18th Century Commentary On Pirkei Avot By Israel Mizrahi
Rabbi David Hazan (d. 1748) was a noted rabbi and kabbalist, author of several books and founder of a prominent Hebrew printing press in Izmir (Smyrna), Turkey. This week I was able to obtain one of the books he authored, titled David Bametzudah (translated as "David in the Fortress"), being a commentary on Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers) and printed in Salonica, Greece in 1748. The title page tells of the interesting background to the writing of this work and the travails of the author that led to it. From the title page and introduction: "The grace of G-d I will mention, the praises of G-d on all that he has bequeathed me. While I was visiting the city of Vienna, being that it is their custom to require passports of every visitor, I had in my possession an authentic passport. An evil man slandered to the government about someone with the name David that he was a spy. Despite our father's names being different they accused me of being a spy and locked me in a prison on the holiday of Pesach. Being that I was of ill health, the Jewish community sent a doctor to request that I be sent to a hospital under surveillance. May G-d repay them for their kindness, they instructed the doctor to care for me and paid for all the expenses. I was there from Pesach until Shavuot. I requested from the community leaders to send me the Medrash Shmuel on Pirkei Avot and Ein Yaakov (the Aggadic portions of the Talmud), and within a short time I had written this commentary on Pirkei Avot. The very day that I completed the writing of this work, I received a pardon and was released…."
| | | | | See you tomorrow bli neder Enjoy Chol Hamoed and all of its joy We need Moshiach now! Love Yehuda Lave | | | | |
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