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12 Tishrei 5764 - October 8, 2003 | Mordecai Plaut, director Published Weekly
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OPINION & COMMENT

Pleasure-Seeking and Simchah on Succos

If the cultural leadership of the Western World in New York and Hollywood were to organize a Time of Happiness, it would probably take the form of many huge gatherings at which there would be freely available vast quantities of food, intoxicating beverages, public performances of all forms of modern music and entertainment -- and, certainly not least, a relaxing of whatever restraint is left in modern society.

Sefer Zechuyos -- and Zeman Simchoseinu
by HaRav Mattisyahu Salomon

Each and every year as the yemei rotzon between Rosh Hashonoh and Yom Kippur come around, we invest great effort into our tefillos, praying that Hakodosh Boruch Hu inscribe us for a good year. Our requests of "Ovinu Malkeinu" are divided into several short tefillos, the shortest one being "Ovinu Malkeinu kosveinu BeSefer Zechuyos."

A Middos Workshop: Bitochon--A Sukkos Lesson
Based on Shiurim of Rav Dovid Siegel

Part I

As we sit in our shaky, temporary structures which took no more than several hours to build, we sip at our soup and listen to the sounds of the outdoors. Crickets chirp, leaves rustle, and bees buzz. Despite the rustic circumstances, we feel a tremendous sense of joy. Indeed, Succos is called zman simchoseinu, the time of our joy. What is it about this favorite holiday that taps into our happiness?

Choosing a Kosher Esrog
by Rabbi Daniel Travis

Victors in Battle

Two litigants stand before a judge to hear the verdict in their longstanding legal battle. After months of deliberation, the judge pronounces his final ruling. How should we publicize who won the case? The medrash says that the triumphant side is presented with a "boyan," a special seal that identifies the victor.

What is a Succah For?
by Rabbi Shmuel Globus

A succah could be used for many things. Yaakov Ovinu, for instance, built succos for his livestock. Although this is not a recommended use for a succah made for the festival, Yaakov Ovinu's animal-succah is the basis for our succos today.

The Succa: View Platform on the World Outside and the Nefesh Inside
by Rabbi D. Makover

What the Eyes See, the Heart Desires

One of the parables of the Be'er Mayim Chaim is a story of a king who wanted to throw his inner chamber open to the public and personally receive those who came. At the same time, he didn't want riffraff or people who weren't serious. So he set up the route to his chamber through a series of outer chambers.

Politica
A Year Best Left Behind

by E. Rauchberger

The State of Israel has not seen a year as packed with political developments as 5763 for many years, if ever, and the chareidi sector cannot recall such a wretched year of abuse and cruelty by decision-makers in the political establishment. In heartfelt prayer we ask Borei Olom to end this year's curses, for woe are we if the new year is anything like 5763.

The Succah Still Stands
by Rabbi Avi Shafran

There is simply no describing the plaintive, moving melody to which Yiddish writer Avraham Reisen's poem was set. As a song, it is familiar to many of us who know it thanks to immigrant parents or grandparents. And remarkably, the strains of "A Succaleh," no matter how often we may have heard them, still tend to choke us up.


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