A Taste of Torah

Sukkos 5774 October 11, 2014 A Taste of Torah Stories For The Soul Drawn Up For Man is Like the Tree of By Rabbi Mordechai Fleisher the Field Water-drawing can be described why Hashem placed a gap between The saintly Chazon Ish (Rabbi as strenuous, tedious, perhaps the upper and lower worlds. The Avraham Yeshaya Karelitz; 1878-1953) satisfying (especially if you’re world was created for the sole thirsty!). But it isn’t an activity that purpose of giving Mankind the once pointed out an esrog tree to a I’d necessarily describe as joyous. opportunity to serve and draw close young Rabbi Michel Yehuda Lefkowitz Yet, in Temple times, the highlight to Hashem through free choice. If (1913-2011), saying that the tree was of the Sukkos festivities was Simchas Hashem's presence in the world definitely not grafted and its esrogim Bais Hasho’eiva, the Rejoicing of the would be clear and manifest, it thus kosher for use on Sukkos (as House of the (Water) Drawing. All would compromise that free choice; esrogim from a grafted tree are invalid, year, only wine could be used for a spiritual gap was therefore needed as are all descendants or offshoots of the libations upon the Altar, but on to give humanity the ability to ignore tree). The Chazon Ish recommended that Sukkos, water was especially drawn Hashem and His laws. The closeness Rabbi Lefkowitz plant a tree in his yard to be poured upon the Altar. And, one can achieve with Hashem by so that he could make a living selling its for some reason, this particular voluntarily connecting with Him is fruits. offering became the cause for a great far greater than if one was placed Rabbi Lefkowitz asked, “Can an deal of celebrating in the Temple. there without any use of free will. esrog grow in the Bnei Brak climate? Rabbi Yonasan David sheds light Thus, serving Hashem in this world Moreover, I don’t have any experience on this aquatic mystery. On the is enabled by the separation of the growing esrogim, and an esrog tree takes second day of Creation, the Torah upper and lower worlds. much time to cultivate. I don’t have time tells us that Hashem separated the This, then, was the pacification of upper and lower waters, placing to cultivate it; I want to learn Torah!” the lower waters. The very separation the rakiah (usually translated as The Chazon Ish replied that all he that led to a distance between “firmament”) between them. This would have to do was plant the tree and separation is not a mere physical them and Hashem was, in fact, an water it; it would not take up much of distance; it is the divergence of opportunity to come even closer his time. the physical, lower world and the than before, since that closeness is Remarkably, that esrog tree became spiritual, upper world. Our Sages achieved voluntarily, through service the source of the now famous Lefkowitz- tell us that the lower waters cried of Hashem. Chazon Ish Esrogim. Rabbi Lefkowitz out bitterly to Hashem over the great It is this opportunity to serve barely had to invest any time into it, gap now interposed between them Hashem that was celebrated on despite the fact that an esrog tree is and Hashem. Hashem placated the Sukkos. Following the atonement usually very sensitive, requires much waters by guaranteeing them that of Yom Kippur, the Jewish people attention, and does not last for many have renewed their relationship the salt from their waters, as well years. Seventy years later, that tree stood with Hashem, and they celebrated as the waters themselves, would be tall in Rabbi Lefkowitz’s yard and was the opportunity to achieve fantastic brought upon the Altar – salt must still producing beautiful esrogim. heights, when they drew the water, accompany virtually all animal and In the early summer of 2011, Rabbi meal offerings, while the water is the same water that is the very first Lefkowitz passed away. During the next brought on Sukkos. symbol of our true purpose in this Rabbi David explains that world – to serve Hashem and to few months, the tree’s limbs started to the deeper understanding of this draw close to Him. wither and die; several months later, the appeasement lies in understanding tree was completely dead. Kollel Happenings Interpersonal Issues ATTENTION BOCHURIM! The Laws of Lashon Hara (Slander) THIS SUKKOS, LEARN THE Having gone through numerous complicated. In such situations, HALACHOS OF SUKKOS laws of lashon hara and rechilus, it it is usually worthwhile to consult THAT PERTAIN TO YOU! should be obvious that situations a qualified, competent rabbi for The Kollel is partnering with arise where one must supply guidance. For the next several weeks, Dirshu International to bring information, and the question of we will attempt to examine such a Dirshu’s Daf Yomi B’halacha to Denver. Bar mitzvah-aged boys what to say or not to say can be quite case and the issues that arise. will receive a beautiful booklet containing the halachos to Ask the Rabbi be learned daily throughout Sukkos Guests, Ushpizin Sukkos. A test with a stipend Mrs Alexis S. Berman wrote: deeper concepts which are often discussed for passing grades will be given in Chassidic texts as well as the Kabbalah, following Sukkos. I seem to be having a difficult time called the Sefiros. These are aspects of To sign up or for more understanding the concept of inviting the way in which G-d interacts with his information, contact Rabbi Abraham, Isaac, et al, to join as guests in Creation. Mordechai Fleisher at the Sukkah. This is my first time observing There are two opinions as to the order [email protected] or call Sukkos. I would appreciate it if you could of the guests’ arrival. According to one 303-820-2855. explain it to me as easily as possible. tradition, the order is their order of birth, Thank you, whereas according to the Arizal (Rabbi Isaac A DEEPER LOOK AT THE Luria), the order is that of the Sefirot, thus PARSHA WITH RABBI Dear Mrs. Berman: Yosef comes after Aharon. MORDECHAI FLEISHER There is a custom attributed to the Arizal to This concept that you mention is called the invite seven poor people to eat in the Sukkah Join Rabbi Fleisher as he traces “Ushpizin”, “Guests” in Aramaic. According corresponding to the seven Ushpizin. You the halachic sources and to tradition, the Ushpizin visit us in our then have seven exalted guests from above, follows through to the practical sukkah every night of sukkos. with seven earthly guests and G-d’s Divine application of a fascinating The source for the concept of the Ushpizin Presence hovering over it all. sugya based on the weekly is the Zohar: Some Sephardic Jews have the custom of Torah portion. Class takes place “When a person sits in his Sukkah the setting aside a chair in the Sukkah for the at EDOS on Sunday, shacharis at Shechina (G-d’s Divine Presence) spreads guest of the day. The chair is decorated and 7:30 AM followed by breakfast its wings (metaphor) over it from above an announcement is made each day that and then Avraham, together with the other this is the chair of the Ushpizin. and shiur at 8:15. Class will five Tzadikim (Yitzchak, Yaakov, Yosef, In my neighborhood (Neve Yaakov) here resume following summer Moshe and Aharon) and King David, dwell in Israel, the children have a beautiful break. together with him.” custom of gathering together and then One of the important experiences of visiting every Sukkah that has a child with LEARN 2 LEARN Sukkos is that of leaving the protection of the same name as that day’s Ushpizin. They You have long dreamed of our permanent dwellings and basking in dance and sing in the Sukkah, and they get acquiring the tools to achieve the shade and protection of G-d’s presence. some treats for their effort. My children proficiency in learning Gemara Each of the seven Ushpizin exemplified this wait each year with such excitement for the on your own. But how? The idea during their lifetimes. For instance night when the boys will come and dance ,Avraham left the security of his home in our Sukkah. I strongly suggest it for Denver Community Kollel offers and the house of his father and went off communities everywhere. a comprehensive, step-by-step, on a journey protected by G-d’s promise. level-by-level program crafted Yitzchak had to leave his home and dwell Sources: for people just like you. All amongst the Philistines because of famine. Zohar - Parshat Emor. you need is the ability to read Yaakov had to leave his home and live with Rabbi Eliyahu Kitov - The Book of our Heritage Hebrew; we will teach you the Lavan, etc. (English edition), vol. 1, pp. 155-161. rest. For more information, The seven also correspond to attributes Otzar Yisrael Encyclopaedia - Ushpizin. contact [email protected]. of G-d which we aspire to. For instance, Avraham represents (Loving Class will resume following Chessed Reprinted with permission from Ohr Somayach, Kindness), Yitzchak Gevurah (Strength), etc. Jerusalem, www.ohr.edu summer break. These seven attributes also refer to much The Torah Weekly is made possible through a generous grant from the Harry H. Beren Foundation of Lakewood, NJ, in memory of Harry H. Beren, z”l. Denver Community Kollel: 1516 Xavier Street, Denver, CO 80204 Tel: 303-820-2855 Fax: 303-820-2806 Email: [email protected] Web: www.denverkollel.org To receive Torah Weekly by email, send an email to [email protected].

Load more