elsewhere? Simply because G-d ======לכבוד האי גברא וב"ב הרוצים בעילום שמם wh atter gave each place its unique על הסיוע שמושיטים לי בעין יפה ,.Y I M characteristics, plants, climate, etc להמשיך את הגליון עוד הפעם בשה זו and these are the characteristics He בשבילי ברא העולם (סהדרין לז) שיהיה לזכותם ולזכות כל משפחתם הקב"ה יברך אותם בכל מילי דמיטב (Edited by Yedidye Hirtenfeld gave to Eretz Yisrael. (Da’at Torah ======מיט יידישע חת בעושר ואושר ואריכת תשרי יג' - כו' ה' תשפ"ב ימים בבריאות בזה ובבא עבגצב"ב September 19 to October 2 '21 See the world ======"וירא אלהים את האור כי טוב" - אמר ר' Volume 23 #1 deeds. Maybe, just as they אלעזר: אור שברא הקב"ה ביום הראשון, אדם abandoned Me for other gods, they צופה בו מסוף העולם ועד סופו. כיון שסתכל ======will abandon those other gods and הקב"ה בדור המבול ובדור הפלגה שמעשיהם Young Israel of Midwood ,return to Me.” But, G-d continues מקולקלים - עמד וגזו לצדיקים לעתיד לבוא. [חגיגה י"ב, א']. on the Web: YIMidwood.Org they didn’t do that. “They provoked 1694 Ocean Avenue ======Me with a non-god, angered Me with Brooklyn NY 11230-5401 “Yeshurun [i.e., Yisrael] became their [things that were] nothing; so I Succos Shmini fat and kicked.” (32:15) R’ shall provoke them with a Avraham Yitzchak Hakohen Kook non-people, with a nation that is no Atzeres Bereishis z”l (1865-1935; Ashkenazic Chief nation I shall anger them.” Hashem Rabbi of Eretz Yisrael) writes: We responds measure-for-measure. have a tradition that there will be a This, writes R’ Saba, is a recurring סכות שמ"ע בראשית spiritual revolt in Eretz Yisrael and theme in our parashah. For example, We read in last week’s Parashah among the Jewish People in the very (32:8), “When the Supreme One Hashem gives us wealth so that we era in which the national life of our may study Torah in comfort, but, gave the nations their inheritance, People reawakens. The reason is when He separated the children of instead, we allow the wealth to cause that the material tranquility that part us to rebel and forget G-d, as we man, He set the borders of the of our nation will experience will lead peoples according to the number of read (verse 15), “Yeshurun became it to believe that it already has fat and kicked. You became fat, you Bnei Yisrael.” R’ Yerucham Levovitz attained its ultimate goal. This will became thick, you became z”l (Mashgiach Ruchani of the Mir cause the soul to become smaller, corpulent–and it deserted Elokah its Yeshiva; died 1936) writes: When we so-to-speak. Yearning for lofty and Maker, and was contemptuous of the look at the natures of places, we see holy ideals will cease, and, as a Rock of its salvation.” Therefore, we a remarkable thing. Every place is natural consequence, the spirit will read (verses 23-24), “I shall different–different climates, different sink. Eventually, a storm will come accumulate evils against them, My minerals, different plants and crops, and cause a revolution, and then it arrows shall I use up against them: etc. And, the people who live in these will be apparent that Yisrael’s bloating of famine. . .” The parashah places have different personalities strength lies in the Eternal Holy One, continues (verse 29), “Were they and characteristics which somehow in the light of His Torah, and in the wise they would comprehend this, reflect their respective places. We desire for spiritual light. (Orot) they would discern it from their end.” tend not to view this as remarkable, We possess enough wisdom to for we take it for granted; indeed, it “He will say, ‘I shall hide My face discern that our troubles follow from makes perfect sense to us. R’ from them and see what their end our sins. (Tzror Ha’mor) Levovitz continues: [Many people are will be–for they are a generation of skeptical of the idea that G-d is reversals, children in whom there Why does Sukkot follow so closely “found” in Eretz Yisrael more than in is no confidence. They provoked after Yom Kippur? Indeed, not only the Diaspora, or that greater spiritual Me with a non-god, angered Me are they close to each other on the growth is possible in Eretz Yisrael with their [things that were] calendar, a deeper connection than elsewhere.] Since we accept the nothing; so I shall provoke them between them is suggested by the idea that G-d gave each place unique with a non-people, with a nation Halachah that one should perform physical characteristics, why should that is no nation I shall anger some part of his Sukkah-building on we not accept that Eretz Yisrael has them’.” (32:20-21) R’ Avraham Motzai Yom Kippur / the night when unique spiritual characteristics also? Saba z”l (1440-1508; Spain and Yom Kippur ends. Why? R’ Moshe We don’t ask why Etrogim grow in Portugal) writes: Hashem says in Eisemann (former Mashgiach Eretz Yisrael and not in Poland! We these verses, “I want to hide My face Ruchani of Ner Israel in Baltimore, understand that Poland simply is not from them as if I don’t see what’s Maryland) explains: Our Sages refer the place to grow Etrogim. In the going on because they act like to Yom Kippur as a day of salvation Kinot for Tisha B’Av, we refer to Eretz children who are inconsistent. I wish, or liberation. A gift such as liberation Yisrael by the following terms, among so-to-speak, to see how far they will brings with it responsibility, and it others: “There the Divine Presence go–‘what their end will be’–for they must be cherished and nurtured. It resides;” “the royal palace;” “G-d’s are a ‘generation of reversals,’ also must be protected, and that throne;” “the air of your land is the life constantly changing their deeds. protection is provided by the Sukkah, of the soul;” “who can compare to They are children in whom there is no as explained below. Thus, it is no your anointed ones, your prophets, confidence [i.e., no truth], for they coincidence that the first stop that your Levi’im, your singers?” Why don’t maintain one position for very Bnei Yisrael made after their aren’t these characteristics found long. Maybe they will yet regret their liberation at the Exodus was at a place called “Sukkot.” Thereafter, the third category of activities, man Gematria of the word “Dofen” they were protected by the Clouds of must realize that his life in this world (singular for wall), multiplied by four Glory, which our Sukkot is fleeting. This is alluded to by the (for the four walls), plus the Gematria commemorate. For the same reason, Sukkah, which must be at least 7 of the word S’chach, equals 660, every night in Ma’ariv, we recite the Tefachim wide by 10 Tefachim high which is also the Gematria of the blessing, “Ga’al Yisrael” / “The One (approximately 28 inches by 40 words, “Baruch Attah Hashem.” who redeemed Yisrael,” and then we inches). After Yom Kippur, when man (Imrei Shaul) pray, “And spread over us the has repented, he moves into the ======Sukkah of Your peace.” And, after flimsy Sukkah to demonstrate his Yom Kippur, we hurry into our awareness that during the seventy Working for food "וייחהו בגן עדן לעבדה ולשמרה" - תיא, ר' Sukkot. R’ Eisemann continues: The (7×10) years of his life, he should not שמעון בן אלעזר אומר: גדולה מלאכה, שאף Sukkah extends our Yom Kippur feel at home in this world, but rather אדם הראשון לא טעם כלום עד שעשה מלאכה, שאמר: "וייחהו בגן עדן לעבדה", experience. On Yom Kippur, the like a traveler passing through. When ואחר כך "מכל עץ הגן אכול תאכל"... Shechinah was with us. At the Iyov learned this lesson, it made his [אבות דרבי תן פ' י"א]. conclusion of that holiday, the suffering easier to bear. Once one Shechinah departs, so we build a recognizes that this life is only a way ======Sukkah and invite it back. The station, he does not expect it to The Halachah states that one is Sukkah protects what we always be comfortable or pleasant. exempt from sitting in the Sukkah if accomplished on Yom Kippur. How (Bnei Yissaschar: Ma’amarei Tishrei) doing so will cause him to suffer. so? By placing the imprint of sanctity ======Why? We do not find that one is on everything we do in ordinary life. exempt from other Mitzvot (for We eat in the Sukkah, drink in the World apart example, eating Matzah) merely because observing the Mitzvah may "וירא אלהים את כל אשר עשה והה טוב Sukkah, sleep in the Sukkah, relax in מאד" - רבי תחומא פתח: "את הכל עשה be unpleasant! R’ Menachem יפה בעתו [קהלת ג', י"א] - בעותו ברא the Sukkah, etc. Everything is Mendel Morgenstern z”l (the העולם, ולא היה העולם ראוי להבראות קודם ’sanctified. Therefore, Sukkot, R (Kotzker Rebbe”; died 1859“ לכן. אמר ר' אבהו: מכאן שהקב"ה היה בורא Eisemann writes, tells us how a Jew explains: The idea of the Sukkah is עולמות ומחריבם, בורא עולמות ומחריבם, עד who “lives” Yom Kippur looks. (The that one negates his independent שברא את אלו, ואמר: הללו יפים עלי, ואותם Themes of the High Holiday אים יפים עלי... existence and places himself [בראשית רבה ט', ב']. (Machzor completely in G-d’s hands. If one Iyov was complaining about his ======Why is there no Berachah on building suffers from sitting in the Sukkah, it is suffering, but when he saw that an indication that he has not the third wall of a sukkah need be the Sukkah? Because it is not a Mitzvah which one must do with his succeeded in nullifying his only one Tefach / handsbreadth independent existence. What, then, wide, he immediately felt better. own hands; indeed, one could even have a non-Jew build a Sukkah for does he accomplish by remaining in (Midrash Pli’ah) R’ Zvi Elimelech him. (except for final touch -Tractate the Sukkah?! (Emet Ve’emunah) Shapira z”l (rabbi of Oleszyce, Menachot 42a) Rashi z”l explains: If “On Hoshana Rabbah they circled Galicia and other towns; died 1841) there were a blessing, it would have the Mizbei’ach / altar seven times. explains: We read in Tehilim (39:6), to be (consistent with the usual Rabbi Acha said: ‘As a “Behold like hand breadths You formula), “Who sanctified us with His remembrance of Yericho’.” made my days.” This teaches that the Mitzvot and commanded us to build a (Talmud Yerushalmi: Sukkah 4:3) dimensions of the Sukkah (which are Sukkah.” However, that statement When Bnei Yisrael entered Eretz measured in Tefachim / hand would not be true; Hashem did not Yisrael, the first city they conquered breadths) allude to the types of command us to build a Sukkah, as is was Yericho. They did this by circling activities that man engages in during evident from the fact that a Sukkah Yericho once each day for six days, his life. How so? Man’s activities can built by a non-Jew is also kosher. then seven times on the seventh day, be divided into three categories: Tov / (Rashi: Commentary to Menachot whereupon the city’s walls collapsed that which is good for him; Mo’il / that 42a) Some say that the reason there (see Yehoshua ch.6). Paralleling this, which is helpful to him; and Areiv / no Berachah on building the Sukkah when the Bet Hamikdash stood, a that which is desirable to him. Man is that we only recite a blessing on a procession circled the Mizbei’ach one may engage in the first two complete Mitzvah. Building a Sukkah time on each of the first days of categories as much as he wants, is, at best, the beginning of a Sukkot and seven times on Hoshana writes R’ Zvi Elimelech, but the third Mitzvah. (Bet Yosef, Orach Chaim Rabbah. In turn, we recall that category should be used only as ch. 641) Nevertheless, observes R’ practice on the seven days of Sukkot necessary. This is alluded to by the Shaul Eliezer Yedidyah Taub z”l by circling the Bimah in Shul a similar minimum design criteria for a number of times while reciting Sukkah: two complete walls, and a (1887-1947; the “Modzitzer Rebbe”), there is an allusion to a Berachah in Hoshanot. But, what is the third wall which is a Tefach connection between the conquest of wide–hinting that man may engage in the Sukkah itself, as follows: Although Halachah requires a Yericho, which took place in Nissan, a full measure of activities which are and Hoshanot on Sukkot? Rabbeinu Tov and Mo’il, but he should only Sukkah to have only two full walls and a partial third wall, a “complete” Bachya ben Asher z”l (Spain engage in a small measure of those 1255-1340) explains: On Sukkot, we activities which are Areiv. In order to Sukkah is composed of four walls (“D’fanot”), with S’chach on top. The sacrifice a total of 70 oxen–13 the successfully limit his participation in first day, 12 the second day, etc. The 70 oxen parallel the 70 nations of the R’ Yitzchak Arieli z”l (1896-1974; ======world, and the decreasing number Mashgiach of Yeshivat Merkaz Many of the Seforim of our offered each day alludes to the Harav; author of Enayim La’mishpat) Marah D'Asra eventual disappearance of those writes: The Sukkah raises the banner Rabbi Eliyahu Baruch Shulman Shlit"a nations. (Some explain that the of Jewish unity and harmony. In the are now available in softcover on Amazon search “disappearance” of the nations refers Sukkah, the Jew separates from the to mankind’s eventual unification Yesamach Av rest of the world and unites with his ======under the one, true G-d, at which Creator, with himself, and with his Come Join the time there will no longer be separate nation. This is why we invite the holy Young Israel of Midwood nations.) A procession marching in a Patriarchs, the foundation of Jewish Morning Kollel circle likewise alludes to the unity, to visit us in the Sukkah. Monday through Friday 9:30 to 12:00 disappearance of the nations, as is Sukkot culminates in Simchat Torah / MorningKollel.com evident from the fact that that is how rejoicing with the Torah. As R’ To reserve our Yericho–the first place in Eretz Saadiah Gaon z”l (882-942; author Yisrael conquered by Bnei of the earliest known work on Jewish Simchas Chaim Banquet hall Yisrael–fell. R’ Shmuel Eliezer Thought) wrote: “Our nation is a Contact Eidels z”l (Maharsha; Poland; nation only through its Torah.” Shuie Horowitz @ 917-821-6603 1555-1631) writes: The purpose of (Yerach Ha’eitanim) Hoshanot is to seek Hashem’s [email protected] protection from our enemies. (The In Zos HaBracha, the Torah You can pay all your debts to word “Hoshana” means “Please teaches that the burial place of The Young Israel of Midwood rescue [us].”) That was the very Moshe Rabbeinu is not known. via Credit Card same thing that Bnei Yisrael sought [Devorim 34:6] Why was Moshe go to YIMidwood,org when they circled Yericho. Some Rabanu's Kever hidden from ======explain the parallel between Yericho mankind? Rav Shamshon Rafael Y.I.M FREE LOAN FUND and Hoshanot as relating to the fact Hirsch explains that the Torah saw CALL MICHAEL STEIN 917-612-8829 that the War of Gog and Magog will the potential that Moshe Rabbeinu's week's parsha. "Who said of his be fought on Sukkot and will grave could become a deity. It is father, and of his mother: 'I have not culminate on Hoshana Rabbah. [That important for all of us to remember seen him'; neither did he is why two of the Haftarot that we that when we visit the graves of acknowledge his brother, nor knew read on Sukkot relate to that war.] Tzadikim, we do not pray TO the he his own children; - these students We allude in our prayers to Yericho, Tzadikim that they should bless us. left their parents, brothers and the first of our battles in Eretz Yisrael, We are forbidden to daven TO a children - therefore they will be as a surrogate for the final battle. human being - dead or alive! We visit Zocheh to be "Yoiru Mishpatecha Some say that that battle will take the graves of Tzadikim to ask that LiYaakov" - Teacher of Torah to Klal place in the plains surrounding they petition on our behalf to the Yisroel. ויאמר אלקים עשה אדם בצלמו כדמותו Yericho. (Otzar Mefarshei Hoshanot) Ribono shel Olam. We are not וירדו בדגת הים ובעוף השמים ובבהמה ובכל allowed to daven TO the Tzadik. The הארץ ובכל-הרמש הרמש על- הארץ On Sukkot, several of the Haftarot Torah saw the potential of such a that are read discuss the future thing happening with Moshe Let Us make man (1:26) Rashi Redemption. R’ David Tevel Rubin Rabbeinu. Moshe was a person of explains that the plural is used even z”l (1792-1861; rabbi of Minsk, such monumental stature that the though no one helped G-d make Belarus) explains: Our long exile is Torah feared lest his burial place man, and even though the language due to the sin of hating each other, would become a shrine. could mislead heretics. Why? To which is manifested by speaking teach humility and respect, i.e., G-d האמר לאביו ולאמו לא ראיתיו ואת אחיו לא asked the "advice" of the angels to הכיר ואת ביו לא ידע כי שמרו אמרתך Lashon Ha’ra. That is why gentile teach that a greater person should ובריתך יצרו nations frequently make decrees against us from which they derive no "Who said of his father, and of ask the advice and agreement of a benefit, just as one who speaks his mother: 'I have not seen him'; lesser person even though he doesn't Lashon Ha’ra frequently derives no neither did he acknowledge his need that advice. The midrash says benefit from his words. The Sukkah brother, nor knew he his own similarly that Moshe was troubled by is the antidote to Lashon Ha’ra. In children; for they have observed the language, "Let us make man," but Hebrew, letters are formed by five your word, and keep your Bris. Hashem told him, "Let whoever different parts of the mouth/throat. They shall teach Yakov your wants to err - err." We must still Each of the four letters of the Hebrew ordinances." (33:9) The Chofetz understand, says Rav Chaim comes from a Friedlander zatz'l (died 1986), why it (סוכה) ”word “Sukkah different one of those parts. The only Chaim used to praise the American students who left their familes to is preferable to teach good midot type of letter not found in the word (ethical traits such as humility and “Sukkah” is one formed by the come to Europe to learn in the great Yeshivos. He said, this is what the respect) at the risk of suggesting tongue, for the other four parts of the heresy, and it is not better to forego mouth/throat form an enclosure Mishnah means, "Hevey Golah LiMakom Torah" - "You shall go in to the ethical lesson and be clear about (Sukkah) and imprison the tongue, Who created man. The answer is preventing it from speaking. exile to a place of Torah study". He said, this is hinted in the words of this that it is bad midot which cause (Derashot Nachalat David) heresy. Man first decides to throw off the G-d's yoke, then he becomes a honor which is due every person as a Europe. In approximately 1881, he heretic in order to justify his "free" messenger of the King of kings which settled in the United States and was lifestyle; indeed, this is explicit in the we call Kavod haBriot or Tzelem elected to a pulpit in New York. In words of the midrash, "Let whoever Elokim. (Yemei Zikaron) 1884, he moved to Chicago, where he wants to err - err." [Rabbi Shlomo was rabbi of the Kovner and Suvalker congregations. In 1899, he relocated to ויברא אלקים את-האדם בצלמו בצלם אלקים ברא אתו זכר וקבה ברא אתם Katz of Hamaayan notes: We are not talking about those who hold St. Paul, Minnesota. In 1901, R' And G-d created man (1:27) Why Alperstein returned to New York. heretical ideas because they never doesn't the Torah state after the learned better.] In particular, the trait There, he was an early leader of creation of man, "and it was good," Yeshiva Rabbeinu Yitzchak Elchanan taught by our verse, i.e., humility, as it does after all the other things (RIETS), which later evolved into aids one in accepting Hashem's rule. created during the six days? Every Yeshiva University. The following year, This is because humility makes one other creature was created complete, he participated in the organizing more willing to accept the fact that an with its nature and instincts ready to convention of the Agudat Harabanim / infinitely greater Being holds control be applied to the world.Man,however, United Orthodox Rabbis of America and dominion over man.(Sifsei was created incomplete, and it is his and signed its Constitution as one of its Chaim) purpose in life to perfect himself. 59 charter members. Among the goals Human beings are given free will and of this group were to strengthen Jewish Let us make a man in Our image the responsibility for their own education by certifying teachers and (1:26) One reason the Torah uses development and improvement. That establishing standards that chadarim / the plural "us" is that man is a is why it doesn't immediately state, Torah elementary schools had to meet; "compound" creation, containing "and it was good" - we must wait and to promote Shabbat observance by within him all of the higher and lower see how man behaves before providing employment assistance to elements of the universe. The soul of passing judgement. (Klai Yakar) Shabbat-observers and encouraging man embraces all of the higher labor unions to include the right to spheres, while his physical body is "On the seventh day G-d observe Shabbat as one of their made of dust, representing all of the completed His work which He had contract demands, and by promoting lower realms. (Likutei Levi Yitzchak) done. (2:2) Rav Achai Gaon writes boycotts of Jewish stores that did not in his Sheiltot (No. 1) that Shabbat is close on Shabbat; and to strengthen Let us make a man in Our 'Tzelem' rabbinical supervision over kashrut and (1:26) The concept of man being like the dedication of a house; for six days Hashem builds His palace,and over Jewish marriage and divorce. R' having the "Tzelem Elokim" - often Alperstein authored a number of Torah translated, "image of G-d" - is difficult every seventh day He celebrates its dedication. With this in mind, writes works, but published only one -- a to define. R' Yoseph B. Rav Avigdor Nebenzahl, we can commentary on Masechet Bikkurim. Soloveitchik, zatza"l, explains as That work, published in 1889, bore a understand why work is prohibited on follows: It appears from Ramban's haskamah / letter of recommendation Shabbat. Imagine if a king were Torah commentary that "Tzelem from R' Yosef Dov Halevi dedicating a palace; human nature Elokim" is synonymous with the Soloveitchik (the Bet Halevi), who would be that his subjects would Talmudic concept of "Kavod haBriot" referred to the author as "a great light, come and murmur among - the inherent dignity of mankind. sharp and with far reaching knowledge, themselves, "This room is too long" What gives man this dignity, this right who is destined to be a gaon." R' or "This ceiling is too low" or similar to expect a certain amount of respect Alperstein died on 5 Shevat 5673 / critiques. However, when we visit from others (especially considering January 13, 1913. After his death, a Hashem's palace, we need to learn that Chazal generally denigrate the hospital for chronic illnesses, Beth that we cannot possibly improve upon pursuit of honor)? The Gemara Abraham, was founded in his memory His creation. Six days a week we (Niddah 30b) states: "A child is not by his wife and children. (Toldot Anshei may work at improving the world, but born before he swears to be a Shem and The Silver Era) on the day when we are Hashem's 'Tzaddik' and not a 'Rasha'." This Please go ahead guests, we must be totally at rest. oath does not, of course, negate a COPY AND DISTRIBUTE (Sichot L'Rosh HaShanah) person's free-will; what it does is Keep this free publication going! make the newborn a "Shaliach" - R' Avraham Eliezer Alperstein z"l To SPONSOR, dedicate an issue "messenger" or "delegate" - of was born in Kobrin, White Russia in or to advertise please call Hashem, sent to fulfill a given task in 1853. He studied under R' Yaakov this world. Each person is born in a David Willowsky (the Ridvaz - rabbi in Cellular specific generation for a reason. R' Kobrin, Slutsk and, later, Chicago) and 732 803 2719 or 718 677 7781 Kook used to explain the phrase in yeshivot in Kovno and Vilna, and he Also you can receive the from the Yom Kippur prayers, "Before received semichah from two leading whY I Matter I was created, I was not worthy' now Lithuanian sages, R' Mordechai free weekly via eMail just for the asking that I have been created, it is as if I Meltzer and R' A.L. Shachnowitz. As [email protected] a youth, R' Alperstein was known as an was not," to mean: The reason I was Hatzolo (718 or 212) 387-1750 or not created earlier is that it was not unusually capable student and was 230-1000 yet my time to accomplish something found to be conversant in both the in this world, and now," we say in our Talmud Bavli and Talmud Yerushalmi. Flatbush Shomrim (718) Yom Kippur confession, "I have failed (The latter work usually is studied only 338-9797 to accomplish my mission." It is the by accomplished scholars.) R' Chaveirim (718) 431-8181 Alperstein served briefly as a rabbi in