by Rav Yehuda HaKohen, visionmag.org
The Torah is not merely some disjointed ritual precepts but rather the Divine Ideal from before existence placed into this reality for the sake of elevating our world beyond its current limitations.
by Rav Tzvi Fishman, bringthemhome.org.il
The Torah states again and again and again that G-d wants the Jews to live in Israel. So how can it be that some confused Jews think the very opposite, believing they are following the Torah by living in gentile lands, and that Medinat Yisrael is the worst exile ever?
by Rav Eliezer Melamed, yeshiva.co, translated by Hillel Fendel
"One must be joyous and of good heart on the Festivals," rules the Shulchan Arukh (O.C. 529,2), "he, and his wife, and all in his household. How so? He should give the children candies and nuts, and should buy clothing and jewelry for the women, to the best of his financial ability." The men themselves should "feast on meat and wine," as was the custom.
The above recommendations are just examples, but actually anything that brings joy comprises the mitzvah of joy on the holiday. Each person should know how to gladden those around him.
Not only his family, but also – especially – those who are poor or otherwise suffering should be in his sights, and he must do what we can to gladden them, particularly on the Festivals. This is stated outright in the Torah: "You shall rejoice on your Festival – you, and your son, and your servants, and the Levites, sojourners, orphans and widows in your midst" (D'varim 16,14).
The Rambam sums up: "… But he who locks the gates of his yard and eats and drinks with his family and does not share with the poor and downtrodden – this is not Torah-mandated joy, but rather happiness only of his own stomach… This type of happiness is a disgrace, as is written in the Book of the Prophet Malachi …"
by Rav Yehuda HaKohen, visionmag.org
Unlike most of the festivals on the Hebrew calendar, Sukkot commemorates an event that takes place in the future but has ramifications for the present.
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