-
Simchat Torah: Happy Wife, Happy Life!
The adage, “Behind every man is a great woman” begs the question, does the woman really make the man? The Talmud cites Rabbi Tanhum, who quotes Rabbi Hanilai, who said that a man who lives without a wife lives without blessing, goodness, and true joy1. And the Torah teaches, “Before Hashem you shall rejoice, you…
-
What Is the Nature of Simchat Torah’s Joy?
Joyous cries of ‘Ashreinu ma tov chelkeinu’ and ‘Vetaheir libeinu’ belted out, circles of old and young interlocking with each other…
-
Sukkot: Dating Lessons in Vulnerability and Unity
On Sukkot, we leave the security of our homes and move into a temporary dwelling, bestowing on it the trust and confidence of a permanent residence. While we may garnish it with beautiful adornments, it remains a hut, usually with fragile roofing and flimsy walls. In this Sukkot abode, we are expected to eat, study…
-
Sukkot: Insights on the Four Species
The Midrash recounts that a person who wins a court case is considered as if they are leaving the court with the four species in their hands. On Sukkos, we lift our hands, holding up the four species as a trophy, demonstrating our confidence and firm belief that Hashem has accepted our repentance1. Uplifting the…
-
The Interconnection between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur
Rosh Chodesh Elul marks the beginning of our focus on teshuva, leading up to the Yamim Noraim and the Aseret Yemei Teshuva.
-
Malchut: Revealing the Feminine Energy on Rosh Hashanah
The idea of Hesther Panim, G-d’s hidden Presence, is a ubiquitous Jewish concept, and it underpins the entire purpose of Creation…
