WHAT EXACTLY ARE SUKKOT?

Sukkot 1 and 2 - Tishrei 15-16, 5783 / October 9-11, 2022

Sukkot 1 and 2 - Torah: Leviticus 22:26 - 23:44; Maftir: Numbers 29:12-16
Sukkot 1 - Haftarah: Zechariah 14:1-21
Sukkot 2 - Haftarah: 1 Kings 8:2-21

Some excellent on-line resources are available for Sukkot/Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah at:
https://www.myjewishlearning.com/

-------------------------------------------------
This d'var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Chanah Bella bat Kreina, Feigel bat Kreina, and Devorah bat Feigel.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lunch and Learn meets Tuesdays at 12:30 PM on Zoom and Facebook Live. We're continuing to read and discuss the Midrashic collection Ein Ya'akov. On October 11, we'll be at BT Shabbat 15a - page 112 of Ein Ya'akov Volume 1 - "...אמר רב כהנא" - "R. Cahana said:..."

NOTE: Yes, we are meeting on the second day of Sukkot. Our community is now following the Land of Israel calendar for Yom Tov observances, so for us the second day of Sukkot is Chol Hamoed. I have identified the Torah/Haftarah readings for the Diaspora calendar for the benefit of those who observe that custom.  

Ein Ya'akov is available for on-line reading or as a downloadable PDF at: 

https://hebrewbooks.org/9630 
-----------------------------------------------

Rabbi Van Leeuwen has a blog which you should read at: 

https://rebjasonblog.wordpress.com/blog/ 

Dr. Steve Pearlman writes up the "Midrashim of the Week", which you should read at: 
https://midrashsrp.wordpress.com 
---------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Check out our wonderful community, and get lots of info about our various programs and becoming a Member at: https://bnaihayim.org/ 
 
Please feel free to pass this on to a friend, and please cite the source.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

WHAT EXACTLY ARE SUKKOT?

"So that your generations will know that I caused the Children of Israel to dwell in sukkot when I brought them out of the land of Egypt; I am the Lord your God." Leviticus 23:43

There is an interesting dispute among the Rabbis concerning the nature of the sukkot in which our ancestors dwelt. In the Talmud (Sukkah 11b), Rabbi Eliezer says the sukkot were "the clouds of glory" (ananei hakavod) that surrounded the Jews in the desert. But Rabbi Akiva says, "They built for themselves actual booths" (sukkot mamash). One might understand from Rabbi Eliezer that the Shekhinah, the Divine Presence, surrounded them in the desert - that is something truly spectacular! Rabbi Akiva is a realist - they lived in flimsy structures, just like we build today.

What makes the discussion more interesting is that in the midrashic text Mekhilta D'Rebbi Ishmael (Pischa 14), Rabbi Eliezer says they were actual booths and Rabbi Akiva says they were clouds of glory! Which text is correct and which rabbi is correct?

The answer is - they all are! Sukkot are physical and metaphysical. It comes to teach us that when we spend a week fulfilling the mitzvah of residing in a flimsy hut, we surround ourselves with the Shekhinah. Spend some time in a sukkah, and get your head in the clouds!

May we all dwell in sukkot shalom – shelters of peace.

Shabbat Shalom! Chag Sukkot Sameach! Mo'adim L'Simchah!

Rabbi Richard A. Flom
".איזה הוא חכם? הלומד מכל אדם"
Who is wise? The one who learns from every person.
Ben Zoma - Pirkei Avot 4:1

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cyber Torah list management (no salesman will call!):
To subscribe to Cyber Torah, send an e-mail with the subject heading “Subscribe Cyber Torah” to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net 
Send requests for dedications of Cyber Torah in honor of a simchah, in memory of a loved one or for a refuah shleimah to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net 
To unsubscribe from Cyber Torah, send an e-mail with the subject heading “Unsubscribe Cyber Torah” to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net