A PROJECT OF THE

סוכות י״ד תשרי תשפ״א At the 5781 OCTOBER 3, 2020 ISSUE #11 Yo m To v Table RABBI YITZCHOK WEEKLY INSPIRATION AND INSIGHT ADAPTED FROM CLASSIC TITLES HISIGER, EDITOR DESIGN & LAYOUT: AVIVA KOHN

SELF-CENTERED Arba Minim Succos Rav Pam on the Festivals by Rabbi Sholom Smith FAITH IN Leave the permanent dwelling and settle CHAZAL Ushpizin in a temporary dwelling (Succah 2a). by Rabbi Shai Graucher One of the most basic requirements of a succah is that its walls not be higher Rav Shlomo than twenty amos (about thirty-five to for- Kluger (Kehillas ty feet). The Mishnah Berurah (633:3) ex- Yaakov, Derush plains that the reason for this disqualifica- 56) points out tion is that Chazal determined that until this height, even walls that the entire mitzvah of the made from reeds would be able to stand on their own. Walls Arba Minim (Four Species) is higher than this would, like permanent housing, require ad- not spelled out explicitly in the ditional supports, thickness and foundations. Such construc- Chumash itself, but is derived tion could not be considered from the Oral Law. We have a HELPING a “temporary dwelling,” and mesorah (tradition), from gener- would be invalid for use as a ation to generation, as to what OTHERS succah. The thickness of walls the esrog, lulav, hadassim, and IS THE less than twenty amos high is aravos all are, so on Succos we FORMULA of no concern, because theo- affirm our loyalty and trust in retically the walls could have our sages, from Matan Torah at FOR A LIFE been built as a “temporary Sinai throughout history. OF SIMCHAH. dwelling” without supports. Elaborating on this point, There is much symbolism Rav Kluger then quotes a Mi- in the requirement for a succah to be a temporary dwelling. drash about the lulav: There is Succos follows the forty-day period of teshuvah that begins on an allegory that describes two Rosh Chodesh Elul and ends with the conclusion of Yom Kippur. people who vie in a legal battle It is an opportune time to absorb a fundamental lesson of the before the king. Although peo- succah — to consider one’s time on this earth as a temporary ple were not informed in whose dwelling. Although a person needs a place to live, clothing to favor the judgment went, they wear and food to eat, this should not be the focus of his exis- can discover the outcome by tence. He should realize that this world is a temporary dwell- looking to see who walks out ing, a vestibule before the World to Come (Pirkei Avos 4:21). holding a weapon. Thus, Klal This will motivate him to spend his limited time on this earth Yisrael, along with the nations pursuing spiritual goals and attainments. of the world, face the Divine There is another way to explain the words of the Talmud to judgment on the Day of Atone- leave one’s permanent dwelling and settle in a temporary dwell- ment. We cannot tell which one ing. Occasionally, one meets a person whose entire life revolves emerged victorious, so Hashem around himself. He is constantly thinking about his own needs, commanded to “Take (the Four desires, pleasures, and so on. His “permanent dwelling” is his continued on page 2 continued on page 3 MESORAH ARTSCROLL PUBLICATIONS 1 NOT EXEMPT Hoshanos Succos Succos by Rabbi THE ARAVAH CEREMONY Succos by Rabbi Meir Zlotowitz The Gemara (Succah 26a) states that if one is distressed in the succah due to con- An interesting interpretation of the practice ditions such as rain or cold, he is exempt of beating the aravah-bundle is given in a re- from the mitzvah – mitzta’er patur min ha- sponsum by Rav Tzemach Gaon (Teshuvos Ha- succah. Geonim Shaarei Teshuvah, 340). The leaves of the Rav Chaim Ozer Grodzenski was a frail man whose willow are shaped like the lips and these twigs poor health made it impossible for him to eat in the succah have the purpose of atoning for the sins of the in cold weather. Once, he had a guest who, being in good lips. We beat them on the earth to symbolize our health, went out to eat in the succah on a cold day. To the vis- WE ARE CONFIDENT itor’s surprise, Rav Chaim Ozer, bundled in heavy clothing, came THAT NO ONE’S LIPS, out with his food to join him in NOT EVEN THE SATAN’S, the succah. CAN HARM US. In reply to the guest’s insis- tence that the gadol hador not sit resolution that from now on, we will not sin with in the cold, Rav Chaim Ozer said, our lips again, but rather we will “put his mouth “One who is exempt by reason of ‘distress’ – mitztaer – is released to the dust...” (Eichah 3:29). only from the obligation of succah, Rav Tzemach cites a second interpretation: not from other mitzvos. Here there During the preceding holidays — Rosh Hasha- Rav Chaim Ozer Grodzenski is a mitzvah of hachnasas orchim, nah and Yom Kippur — the Satan incites God’s hospitality to guests, and from that I am not exempt.” Attributes of Judgment against Klal Yisrael. But Thus, notwithstanding the cold, Rav Chaim Ozer ate in now, after we have accumulated many mitzvos, the succah to fulfill the obligation of hospitality rather than we are confident that no one’s lips, not even the let his guest eat there alone (see Rav Moshe Shternbuch’s Satan’s, can harm us. So we beat the symbolic Moadim Uzemanim 88). lips — the willow — to the earth.

FAITH IN CHAZAL continued from page 1 THE BASIS path, we receive the merit of a good Species) for yourselves on the first judgment, as symbolized by the lu- OF ALL OF lav. day (of Succos).” You can see from YIDDISHKEIT The Sheim MiShmuel (end of the fact that Klal Yisrael emerg- Moadim) wrote a letter to his son- es from before Hashem holding INVOLVES in-law, who had to eat on Yom Kip- the lulav and esrog that the nation NULLIFYING pur because he was not well. There emerged victorious (Midrash Rab- OURSELVES TO he says that the basis of all of Yid- bah, Vayikra 30:3). THE WISDOM dishkeit involves nullifying our- Rav Kluger explains that taking OF THE SAGES. selves to the wisdom of the sages, the lulav is not merely the display being mevatel our daas to the daas of a “weapon,” but shows our belief judgment. of Torah. Therefore, he encourages in the words of Chazal regarding The Akeidah was entirely based his son-in-law not to feel anguish what these four species are. The on emunas chachamim (as Yitzchak at having to eat, because by eating, merit of our faith in Torah Sheba’al Avinu had not heard the command he is listening to the chachamim Peh and our emunas chachamim are from Hashem, but obeyed his fa- who say that one must eat when he what allow us to be victorious in ther), and when we follow in this is not well. 2 SELF-CENTERED continued from page 1 own mind. From time to time, he may think of other In a letter to Rav Pam a few months later, her hus- people and even give up some of his own desires to ful- band, a distinguished talmid chacham, reported that he fill their needs. This is his “temporary dwelling.” The had seen a dramatic change for the better in his wife’s Gemara says that the underlying theme of Succos, known mood. He noted that Rav Pam’s advice could be found in as Zeman Simchaseinu (“Season of our Rejoicing”), is to the Shulchan Aruch (Hilchos Tefillah 93:2,4). In describing leave one’s permanent dwelling and settle in a tempo- how a person should prepare for tefillah, the Shulchan rary dwelling. This means that if a person truly desires to Aruch says that “tefillah should not be recited in a state attain happiness and satisfaction in life, he must spend of frivolity, of light-headedness . . . or anger, but only in more time thinking about the needs of other people and a state of simchah, such as having said comforting words not be self-centered. By trying to bring sim- chah into the lives of A JEW SHOULD those around him, es- pecially the unfortu- STRIVE TO EASE THE nate and forsaken, he BURDENS THAT LIE will bring joy into his own life as well. SO HEAVILY UPON The Midrash (Ko- heles Rabbah 1:34) THE SHOULDERS OF says, “A person does THOSE AROUND HIM. not leave this world with even half his de- of Torah. As a prelude to tefillah, involvement in com- sires fulfilled.” This munal matters is comparable to studying Torah (which is perhaps an over- ‘gladdens the heart’; see Tehillim 19:9), since it is a joy to a statement; many peo- Rav Avrohom Pam person to be involved with communal matters.” ple go through life It is human nature for a person to be self-centered. A without attaining even a tenth of what they want. Life baby thinks only of itself and tries to fulfill its desires. It is a continuous string of hardships, disappointments, is not in the least concerned that its crying at night will frustration and misery — if their lives revolve around deprive its exhausted, overworked parents of their sleep. themselves. However, if a person concentrates on help- As a child develops physically, its mind matures as well, ing others overcome their problems and lightening and it is taught to think about others, not only about it- their “peckel,” he himself will feel a sense of joy in his self. own life. Yet, for many people, this trait remains underdevel- A depressed woman once called Rav Avrohom Pam oped. The Gemara (Sotah 14a) says that a Jew is required for an eitzah (advice) for her difficult situation. She had to emulate the ways of his Creator. Hashem created His been married for a number of years and was still child- world in order to bestow kindness on His creations. He less; the medical prognosis seemed hopeless, which obviously considers the continuing existence of the was the cause of her depression. Rav Pam suggested world to be worthwhile, as we say, ‘‘In His goodness, that she get involved in tzorchei tzibbur (the needs of He renews daily, uninterrupted, the work of creation’’ the community). His reasoning was simple: If she was (Tefillas Shacharis). Thus, a Jew should strive to ease the thinking about herself and her unfortunate predica- burdens that lie so heavily upon the shoulders of those ment throughout the day, it was no wonder that she around him. fell into depression. If she were to occupy her mind Helping others is the formula for a life of simchah. and time with helping others, it would give her a sense The theme of Succos is that one must leave his perma- of satisfaction and purpose that would bring joy into nent dwelling — his own mind, and settle in a tempo- her own embittered life. The woman accepted Rav rary dwelling — thinking of the needs of others. In do- Pam’s advice and threw herself into volunteering for a ing so, he will find contentment in his own life and will number of worthy tzorchei tzibbur projects. enjoy a year-round Zeman Simchaseinu. 3 POSSESSIONS ARE TEMPORARY Succah Ushpizin by Rabbi Shai Graucher

On the third day of Succos, we invite Yaakov Avinu to one forget his Creator. Therefore, when our succah. From Yaakov we learn the attribute of truth it says that Yaakov built succos for his and how to deal properly with materialism. animals, it is really referring to the an- The Tur (Orach Chaim 417) writes that all three of imal aspect within a person, as the sefer the Biblical moadim (festivals) correspond to one of the Shevilei Emunah (Nesiv 6) writes on the Avos. Succos corresponds to Yaakov, as seen in the pasuk pasuk (Mishlei 12:10), “Yodei’a tzaddik nefesh behemto — A (Bereishis 33:17), “And for his cattle he (Yaakov) made succos righteous person knows the soul of his animal.” A tzaddik (huts).” The Tur continues and says that the days of Rosh is able to reign in the animal tendencies within himself, Chodesh of the twelve months are also called moadim, so that he can enjoy the world in good measure but with- and are each aligned with one of the twelve tribes. The out overindulging. verse that connects Yaakov to Succos is as follows (ibid.): “Yaakov traveled to Succos and built himself a house, and for his cattle he made succos; thus he named the place Succos.”

Rav Boruch Mordechai Ezrachi WE MUST REALIZE WHAT SHOULD BE PRIMARY AND WHAT IS SECONDARY.

The Bnei Yissaschar in his sefer Agra D’Kallah (Vay- This is what the pasuk means when it says about Yaa- ishlach) wonders what the Torah is telling us here, and kov “ulemikneihu asah succos — for his cattle he made he explains that since Succos is the time of harvest and succos.” The word asah (made) means to fix something, joy, one can get too preoccupied with his worldly posses- so the pasuk is alluding that Yaakov fixed something for sions and finances. Yaakov anticipated this and taught a his animals, meaning that he helped his animal instinct vital lesson to his children: that material wealth is only stay within its proper boundaries, by building succos, by temporary, just like a succah. We are commanded to making sure that his material possessions remained a dwell in succos at this time of the year to emphasize that secondary part of his life. all we have in this world is fleeting, just as our dwelling The laws of the succah teach this lesson as well, says the in the succah is temporary. Shelah. The minimum measurement of a succah requires The Shelah (Maseches Succah, Ner Mitzvah §46) writes that there be enough room for one person’s head, most of regarding possessions and material wealth that Succos his body, and a table for eating, which add up to a mere is the harvest time, and therefore one’s house is full of seven-by-seven tefachim. The lesson we learn from Yaakov plenty more than at any other time of year. The increase making succos is that he lived his whole life in a minimal of available food and drink makes a person prone to feel- way, as if in a succah. He wanted materialism only in or- ings of haughtiness and self-reliance, which may make der to be able to use it in serving continued on page 12 4 Succah ENVELOPED IN HOLINESS Rav Wolbe on Chumash from Rav Shlomo Wolbe, written by Rabbi Yitzchok Caplan

Chazal tell us (Succah 2a) that a succah taller than 20 ing the Egyptians (Shemos 14:4), “And amos is invalid, and one who sits inside it does not ful- Mitzrayim will know that I am Hash- fill his obligation. The Torah commands us to sit in a em” — only the Bnei Yisrael are ex- succah, “So that your generations will know that I caused the pected to have emunah. Bnei Yisrael to reside in succos when I took them out of Mitz- Emunah is the ability to address rayim” (Vayikra 23:43). The Gemara infers from this that Hashem directly: “Blessed are You, Hashem.” It is the a person can only fulfill his obligation when he knows ability to believe that when one davens, Hashem liter- that he is residing in a succah. When the succah is higher ally stands opposite him and hears every single word than 20 amos, one’s eyes do not notice the s’chach and he he utters. It is the ability to recognize Hashem in all therefore does not know that he is sitting in a succah. of a person’s bodily func- What does this mean? It is hard to believe that one would not be aware that he is sitting in IT IS THE a succah simply because the s’chach is outside his ABILITY TO field of vision. ACKNOWLEDGE What Chazal mean is that even though one knows he is in a succah, he is missing the added THAT WE ARE dimension of awareness afforded by his vision. COMPLETELY With this in mind, we can explain the follow- SURROUNDED ing pasuk: “And you shall know today and take to your BY HASHEM AT heart that Hashem is the G-d in the Heavens above and on the earth below” (Devarim 4:39). The Torah used ALL TIMES. similar wording with regard to both the mitzvah of succah and the obligation to “know” Hashem, and tions, in all of nature, and Rav Shlomo Wolbe Chazal revealed to us that “knowing” refers to a level of in all of history. It is the certainty achieved with the aid of one’s physical senses. ability to acknowledge that we are completely sur- If so, one’s level of knowledge that there is a G-d must rounded by Hashem at all times. parallel the level of knowledge needed to fulfill one’s Succos affords us an opportunity to contemplate obligation of succah. A person is therefore required to these ideas. The Vilna Gaon said that the mitzvah of attain an awareness of Hashem that is tangible. The succah is unique in that it totally envelops a person. The baalei mussar refer to this as emunah chushis. succah, which symbolizes Hashem’s Clouds of Glory, The mitzvah of emunah requires even more than this, reminds us not only of the Divine Providence the Bnei however. While it is incumbent even upon gentiles to Yisrael merited in the desert, but also of the Divine Prov- know that there is a G-d — as the Torah tells us regard- idence each of us merits every single day.

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Q. Avi sold Shimmy a beautiful of doubt, the one who wishes to animal was esrog with a pitum. They agreed claim money from the other would in his pos- that Avi would wrap the esrog and have to prove the animal’s status to session, the deliver it to Shimmy’s house, and substantiate his claim. likelihood is Shimmy would pay for the esrog Rashi explains that if the hole that the nee- upon delivery. The esrog arrived on had not scabbed, it would be ques- dle entered while in his possession, Erev Succos, but in Shimmy’s haste tionable how recently the stomach as well. to finish all his Yom Tov prepara- was punctured, and since a shochet According to the opinion of tions, he did not open the box until usually pays for the cow before Tosafos, in our case as well, Shim- the morning of Succos. To his great the shechitah, the burden of proof my would have to prove that the chagrin, he discovered the pitum would be upon him if he wishes to pitum had broken off before he lying at the bottom of the box! He accepted delivery. Since the pitum doesn’t know if it broke in transit to DOES AVI HAVE was found broken only after the his house, in which case he would TO RETURN THE esrog was in his possession, it may not have to pay for the esrog, or if just as well have broken in his pos- the esrog had been delivered whole MONEY THAT session. Even if Shimmy had not and the pitum broke while already SHIMMY PAID FOR paid for the esrog yet, he would still in his possession. Does Avi have THE ESROG? be required to pay for it. to return the money that Shimmy However, the Bi’ur Halachah (si- paid for the esrog? man 656) writes that if one bought A. The baraisa in a lulav or an esrog Maseches Chullin (51a) and discovered discusses the case of that it had rotted, someone who sold a the Elya Rabbah cow to a shochet, and cites the Shiltei after shechitah, it was Giborim stating found that a needle that if there is rea- had punctured one of son to suspect that its stomachs. The bara- it was rotten be- isa enumerates various fore the sale, that signs to identify wheth- would be grounds er the needle pierced to invalidate the the stomach before the sale. In case of shechitah, rendering doubt, the burden the animal a tereifah, or of proof would be whether the needle punctured the upon the one who is asking for stomach after the shechitah. If the invalidate his purchase. the money (whether to be paid or hole in the stomach has produced Tosafos explains, based on the returned). It would seem that even a scab, then it is apparent that the Gemara in Kesubos (76b), that since if it was discovered rotten while hole was there three days before the needle was found only after the in the customer’s possession, we the shechitah, and the one who sold cow was already in the shochet’s pos- would not assume that it rotted the cow to the shochet within those session, even if he had not paid for only then. three days would be required to re- the animal yet, the burden of proof Perhaps there is no contradiction turn the shochet’s money. In a case would still be upon him. Since the between these two cases. The Sm”a needle was discovered when the continued on page 12 6 Shemini Atzeres Simchas Torah/Shemini Atzeres THE WISEST HASHEM’S BELOVED CHILDREN REQUEST Simchas Torah by Rabbi Moshe Lieber Simchas Torah by Rabbi Moshe Lieber An insight of the Vilna Gaon sheds light on the celebration Shemini Atzeres is not only of Simchas Torah as part of Shemini Atzeres. In our daily prayers, a time of special closeness we beseech Hashem, “Bring us back, our Father, to Your Torah between G-d and His peo- and bring us near, our King, to Your service.” In seeking help to ple. It is also a time when He return to Torah, we address Hashem as our Father, while in our looks favorably upon requests. request to be brought closer to His service, we turn to Him as What should one ask for on so auspicious our King. Why the difference? a day? The Vilna Gaon explains that while service of Hashem is an The Nesivos Shalom suggests that rather than opportunity incumbent upon Jews and non-Jews alike (the lat- asking for one’s particular needs of the day, ter through the seven Noachide laws), the Torah was given to whether physical or even spiritual, one would the Jewish people alone. The King allows all His subjects access do better to request that he always be allowed to Him, but only His children are permitted to enter the inner access to the King in order to speak to Him. sanctum of His treasury and enjoy His most prized possession. Thus, it is quite fitting that on Shemini Atzeres, the day when the CLOSE TO G-D, King celebrates exclusively with His own children, we rejoice EVERYTHING IS with the Torah, the prized possession that ALWAYS GOOD. He shares only with us (lmrei Moshe). Most needs are temporary and subject to ONLY IN TORAH CAN change. Even if today’s wish is granted, tomor- ONE EXPERIENCE row may bring new desires and necessities. UNDIMINISHED JOY. However, when one asks G-d to grant him the closeness to Him that will enable him to turn The Zohar tells us that when Klal Yisra- to Him in prayer at all times, this wish will be el is involved in rejoicing with the Torah, granted. This is a request which, in essence, en- Hashem says to His Heavenly entourage, compasses all others, for he now has the key of “Take note of My beloved children, who prayer that can unlock all gates. Close to Hash- forget their own troubles and involve em, everything is always good. themselves in My joy.” Our prayer is that David Hamelech had the emotional depth this moment will extend itself through- and clarity of perspective to make this request out the year — through the study of To- -rah. We celebrate Simchas Torah on Shem אַחַת ׁשָאַ לְּתִ ימֵאֵ ת ה' אֹותָ ּה אֲבַּקֵ ׁשׁשִ בְּתִ י :of Hashem ini Atzeres with the hope that through joy in Torah study, we will - ּבְבֵית ה' ּכָ ל יְמֵ יחַ ּיַי לַחֲ זֹותּבְ נֹעַ םה' ּולְבַּקֵ רּבְהֵ יכָ לֹו One thing I asked of Hashem, that shall I seek: That always experience the special closeness to Hashem that we feel I dwell in the House of Hashem all the days of my on this most joyous of days (Nesivos Shalom). life; to behold the sweetness of Hashem and to con- The sages teach, “From the time the Beis HaMikdash was template in His Sanctuary” (Tehillim 27:4). David destroyed, all that Hakadosh Baruch Hu has in this world are Hamelech, the prototypical master of personal the four amos where halachah is studied” (Berachos 8a). The repentance (Avodah Zarah 4b), said: “I have only Avnei Neizer explains that Hashem’s Presence resides only in that shall I [con- places of joy. The cataclysmic effect of the destruction of the ,אֹותָ ּהאֲבַּקֵ ׁש one desire . . . and tinue to] seek, because this request — to dwell in Beis HaMikdash forced the Divine Presence to abandon its the House of Hashem all the days of my life — earthly abode. Only one place was saved from the ravaging embodies all of my desires. May G-d grant that effect of that terrible tragedy —the four amos of Torah study, every moment of my life be an intimate encoun- which pulsate with joy. Thus, on the festival of Shemini Atzeres, ter with Him and thus I will receive the inner- a time of exultation, we celebrate Simchas Torah, for only in most desires of my heart.” Torah can one experience undiminished joy. 7 Simchas A SEFER TORAH IN THE VALLEY OF DEATH Torah Seasons of the Soul by Y. Yechezkieli, adapted by Moshe Barkany

Hasag. It was called a labor had successfully spirited a Sefer To- since he was camp, but it was a slaughterhouse: rah out of the clutches of the dread- not exactly no more, no less. We were the rem- ed Gestapo and smuggled it into solvent then, nants of the Chenstochover Ghet- our camp. How? He simply rolled it he offered to. Our families had been sent to around and around his body, let his the corporal their death. Only we few remained, loose tunic hang over it, and then something that he could never like limbs torn from their bodies, walked into the camp. have purchased for any sum — a writhing with pain, living a life Where he had gotten it from, pair of officer’s boots! (The Ger- without life. he adamantly refused to reveal. A mans seemed to have regarded Our task was the manufacture theory was advanced that he had hand-crafted boots as a singular of bullets, millions of bullets for the found it in the SS stores of Jewish luxury and thus reserved them for mighty German Army. And when- properties, from where he had pro- high-ranking officers. Hence, too, ever it suffered a loss or a defeat, cured a shofar one month earlier. the cobbler’s privileged status.) the guards exacted their revenge We later found out that he had on us, the bullet-makers. THE NEWS OF literally saved the Sefer Torah from We, the inmates, were only part THE SEFER desecration, because a short while of a vast mechanism of destruction, later, the Gestapo burned all the destroying and being destroyed at TORAH’S Sifrei Torah, other sefarim, and vari- the same time. ARRIVAL HAD ous sacramental cloths and articles Simchas Torah was approaching. NATURALLY in one gigantic bonfire. This one We had no Torah Scroll, and joy Sefer Torah was the sole surviving was absolutely foreign to Hassag. ELECTRIFIED THE remnant of the sacred articles of Worse yet, on that date, just one ENTIRE CAMP. the ghetto. The cobbler selected it year earlier, we were wit- because of its small size, nesses to the liquidation of for that made it feasible for the Chenstochover Ghetto. him to wrap it around his Simchas Torah — a day midriff without causing of unbridled joy? Hard- a telltale bulge, and later, ly. Yet, Simchas Torah was in camp, its size permitted brought to Hassag by a easy concealment. shoemaker, who was so We had instituted a reg- obscure to us that I cannot ular minyan on Shabbos in even recall his name. Here one of the barracks, and it is how it happened: was there, on Shabbos Chol

One day of Chol HaMoed The Hasag labor camp, the site of awe-inspiring hakafos. HaMoed Succos, that the Succos, a whispered mes- heroic shoemaker turned sage flitted around the camp: the But we were at least partially wrong. to us and demanded: “Who wants shoemaker had been delayed in his It had not been nearly as easy to get to hide the Sefer Torah?” return from the ghetto. When he fi- the Sefer Torah. The SS maintained A companion of mine and I de- nally appeared, he did not head for an extremely heavy guard on their cided to assume the responsibility. the kitchen for his especially gen- large holdings of Jewish plunder, We immediately removed a board erous portion, but instead hurried and were particularly careful with from the head of one of the wood- into the depths of his hut. What sefarim and other religious ob- en cots we slept on, and in the hol- had happened? jects, regardless of their intrinsic low under it concealed the Scroll. The impossible — no, the in- value. Our intrepid cobbler decid- The news of the Sefer Torah’s credible — had come to pass: He ed to bribe one of the guards, but continued on page 10 8 PROTECTING THE ESROGIM Arba Minim Rabbi Sherer By Yonason Rosenblum

A casual reader of the new feder- proposed by the director of the by the Israeli al regulations published in the Fed- Plant Quarantine Division, was also Agriculture eral Registrar of April 23, 1968 might known to be injurious to esrogim. Department. have failed to notice anything of Rabbi Sherer was well aware Because the great import to observant Jews. Yet, that there was little point in relying presence of nestled away among the hundreds on the sympathy of Department of the Mediterra- of pages of regulations promulgated Agriculture bureaucrats to the re- nean fruit fly renders the fruit unfit that day was one issued by the Plant ligious requirements of observant for ritual use, and would be easily as- Quarantine Division of the Depart- Jews. The mandate of the depart- certainable to the trained eye, there ment of Agriculture dealing with could be no doubt that the proposed preventing the dreaded Mediter- inspection would be adequate. In ranean fruit fly entering the Unit- addition, the Israeli Agriculture De- ed States. That regulation carried partment agreed to sponsor an in- within it the potential to prevent spector from the United States Divi- hundreds of thousands of Ameri- sion of Plant Quarantine to come to can Jews from fulfilling the Biblical Israel and supervise the inspection, command of the Four Species. packing, and shipping procedures. The Mediterranean fruit fly in- Rabbi Sherer emphasized that habits citrus fruits. And among the the plan would be temporary, since citrus fruits imported to the United they would test the effect of various States is the citron, better known fumigants on the esrogim before the to us as the esrog. Previous regula- Rabbi Moshe Sherer following Succos. tions had permitted esrogim to be With the memorandum in imported to northern states, where THE MANDATE OF THE place, Rabbi Sherer called upon no citrus plants are grown, but it DEPARTMENT WAS TO Senator Jacob Javits to use his in- was now determined that more PROTECT THE AMERICAN fluence to arrange a meeting with strenuous protections were need- CITRUS INDUSTRY, NOT TO the appropriate Agriculture De- ENSURE THAT OBSERVANT ed. The new regulations therefore partment officials and to attend JEWS HAD ACCESS TO required all citrons to be fumigated ESROGIM FOR SUCCOS. himself so as to emphasize the im- with ethylene dibromide. portance of the issue. The problem, pointed out by Two days later, Senator Javits Rabbi Moshe Sherer, chairman of ment was — justifiably — to pro- sent a telegram that he had ar- Agudath Israel of America, in a June tect the American citrus industry ranged a meeting for Rabbi Sherer 13 Memorandum to the Department from the Mediterranean fruit fly, with Dr. Ned Bayley, an assistant of Agriculture, is that the fumigation not to ensure that observant Jews secretary in charge of scientific might well render the esrogim pasul had access to esrogim for Succos. He matters, for the first week of July. (unfit) for performance of the mitz- would have to come up with a solu- Though he could not personally vah. Since esrogim grown in Israel do tion that would be fully responsive attend, he promised Rabbi Sherer not ripen until late July, and must to their concerns before he could that his top aide, Roy Millenson, be shipped by late August to be in appeal to America’s “time-honored would be present, and the Depart- the United States in time for Succos, tradition of religious freedom.” ment of Agriculture would fully there would not be enough time to Rabbi Sherer’s proposal was for understand the importance of the analyze the effect of ethylene di- the esrogim grown in Israel to be quar- matter to Senator Javits. bromide on the esrogim, nor to test antined for five days after cutting in At that meeting, Rabbi Sherer’s alternative fumigants, before Succos warehouses far removed from the or- proposal was fully accepted by Dr. of that year. Subjecting the esrogim chards in which they were grown. Af- Bayley, and on July 30, 1968, Israel’s to extreme cold, the other solution ter five days, they would be inspected continued on page 10 9 A GOOD OMEN PROTECTING THE ESROGIM continued from page 9 Succah Reb Moshe by Rabbi Shimon Finkelman Ethrog Center and the United States Depart- Rav Moshe Feinstein’s practice was to ment of Agriculture entered into a formal eat his Succos meals in the succah of his son- agreement based on the proposal. With that in-law, Rav Eliyahu Moshe Shisgal, before agreement, the ability of Jews to observe the he, too, moved to the high-rise apartments mitzvah of Arba minim was assured for 1968. on FDR Drive in Rabbi Sherer did not, however, stop there. City. To ensure that esrogim could be imported in One Erev Succos, future years, and to avoid the higher cost of es- it rained with such rogim that would be the result of United States intensity that Rav inspectors spending several weeks in Israel Shisgal’s succah, which had no protective each year, he arranged a series of meetings covering, was not usable for the Yom Tov between officials of the Israeli Department meal that night. Although it had stopped of Agriculture and those from the Division of raining, the table and benches were Plant Quarantine. “IT HAS drenched and water dripped from On May 6, 1969, he received a phone call BROUGHT ME the s’chach. Rav Moshe, his son- from Chaim Ouziel, the economic attaché in-law, and a third talmid chacham at the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C., SUCH EXALTED who usually joined them for the informing him that the Department of Agri- GUESTS!” Succos meals made arrangements culture had agreed to rely on the inspection to eat in the succah of the Kapytsh- of the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture, with- nitzer Rebbe, whose succah had been protected by a strong cover. out any U.S. inspector being present. That night, as the three made their way to the succah, the Ka- The system put in place at that time has pytshnitzer Rebbe was already seated in his succah, surrounded by remained in place ever since, another feath- his chassidim. When the guests entered his succah, the rebbe said, er in the cap of Rabbi Moshe Sherer, one of “Chazal tell us that rain on Succos is not a good omen. However, for the greatest statesmen and advocates our na- me it is a good omen, for it has brought me such exalted guests!” tion has ever seen.

A SEFER TORAH IN THE SILENT And so it went, far into the night. THE VALLEY OF DEATH The silent “dancers” held them- continued from page 8 “DANCERS” HELD selves strenuously in check, as the arrival had naturally electrified THEMSELVES STRENUOUSLY IN joyous songs surged repeatedly to the entire camp. On Simchas Torah their lips. night, we held crowded hakafos in CHECK, AS THE JOYOUS SONGS One song echoed softly in our the cramped run-down shack we ears. Because of its obvious rele- called home. These hakafos would SURGED REPEATEDLY vance, we could not contain it with- have been outlandish in any other TO THEIR LIPS. in us. And as we walked around the situation. The Sefer Torah remained have been running a great risk. Sefer, we were almost deafened by safely ensconced in its hollow Don’t think it was our lives that we the silent screaming of its chords behind the board. We stealthily that enveloped us all: “Rejoice and be were protecting! Of course, being walked around the wooden cot that glad on Simchas Torah, because it (the caught carrying the Torah would contained our sacred treasure. As Torah) is our strength and our light!” have meant sure death, but what we passed, we leaned over and Do you think I made up this sto- kissed the board that lay directly value did our lives have, anyway? ry? Have you ever been at the Gerrer above the Sefer. It would have been worth it! But Bais Midrash on Or HaChayim Street We knew that if we had carried the Scroll would have also been de- in Bnei Brak? Well, the Sefer Torah is the Sefer Torah in our arms, as in stroyed — G-d forbid! — and this there, in the Aron HaKodesh. I brought conventional hakafos, we would was a loss we would not risk. it there after the war. 10 Succos For Children

THE HOLY SUCCAH Bedtime Stories of Jewish Holidays by Shmuel Blitz

The rebbe of “How are you feeling today, Chanah?” he asked. Rachmastrivk, Rav “May Hashem bring you a quick and full recovery.” Mordechai Twer- But every day, little Chanah became sicker. ski, was a holy man. The rebbe prayed and prayed for her, but nothing “The time has seemed to help. come for me to “If only we had money to buy firewood,” Cha- move to Eretz Yis- rael,” he decided one day. HE SAW HIS Since it was a very long journey from Ukraine, he brought very little with him. But there was one PRECIOUS SUCCAH thing he would not leave behind — his father’s succah. This succah was very special. Many great SITTING THERE. Torah leaders had celebrated the holiday inside it. One could feel holiness in its very walls. Before Rav Twerski left Poland, a rich man of- nah’s worried parents told the rebbe. “Maybe then fered to buy the succah from him. The rich man she would get better.” understood how special this succah was. The rebbe ran back to his house and opened his “I will pay you any price. Just sell me your holy storage cabinet. He saw his precious succah sitting succah,” the man begged. there. “There is no choice,” he thought. But the rebbe would not sell it. “This succah is my He grabbed an axe and chopped up the succah treasure,” he answered. “It was given to me by my into many small pieces. The rebbe brought this father.” wood to Chanah’s house. When he arrived in Eretz Yisrael, Reb Morde- “Here, I have this extra firewood in my house,” chai moved to Yerushalayim. His first winter there he told her parents. “Please use it to heat your was unusually cold. Next door to the rebbe lived a home. With Hashem’s help, Chanah will have a little girl named Chanah. That winter she became speedy recovery.” very sick. Her family was poor. They did not have The parents gratefully accepted his gift, not enough money to buy firewood to heat their house. knowing that it was the wood from his cherished But Chanah needed to be warm to get better. Every succah. And that week, Chanah had a complete re- day, the rebbe came to visit her. covery from her illness.

11 POSSESSIONS ARE TEMPORARY continued from page 4 HANDLE WITH CARE continued from page 6 Hashem, as the pasuk (Bereishis 28:20) describes Yaakov’s basic material goals: (Choshen Mishpat 232 §34) writes, in “bread to eat and clothes to wear.” a different context, that in a case of This is why Succos corresponds to Yaakov, and our goal is to apply the doubt concerning a tereifah, an an- lessons of Yaakov’s approach to worldly items. Rav Boruch Mordechai Ezrachi makes a similar point. Why are we told imal is assumed to be healthy until that Yaakov built succos for his animals? Why is this important? And what does we discover otherwise. Thus, the this tell us about Succos and Yaakov’s connection to the Yom Tov? Chazal do needle is assumed to have entered not even say that Yaakov building succos for his animals occurred on Succos. the cow in the possession of the Furthermore, Yaakov was wealthy and could have built nicer quarters for his one who owned it when the needle animals. Why didn’t he? was discovered. In contrast, cheese The answer is found in the Targum Yonasan ben Uziel on Bereishis 33:17: that usually turns wormy has no “Yaakov traveled to Succos and built himself a house, and for his cattle he such immunity to be assumed “in- made succos.” The Targum says that Yaakov built a beis midrash at Succos and nocent” until proven “guilty.” In spent twelve months there. He also made temporary huts for his animals. the case of an esrog with a pitum, When it says in this pasuk that he built a house, it refers to a study hall for since most pitums do not break off Torah. That is Yaakov’s true home. of their own accord, the probability This pasuk summarizes Yaakov Avinu’s entire philosophy of life, and it in- would be that it most likely broke structs us as to what our philosophy should be as well: We must realize what off in the possession of the one should be primary and what is secondary. Yaakov wanted to emphasize this who found that it had broken off. lesson immediately following his encounter with Eisav because his family had Thus, Shimmy cannot invalidate been exposed to Eisav’s value system, which is diametrically opposed to that of the sale, since he cannot prove oth- Yaakov. erwise.

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