Page 6 - HaMizrachi # 23 Sukkot Simchat Torah 2020 USA

TORAT MIZRACHI MIZRACHI EDUCATORS

Rabbi Reuven Taragin Rabbanit Shani Taragin

What Are We

Celebrating?

Zman Simchateinu Why was this ritual (not mentioned HaSukkot to focus upon and celebrate all
lthough there is a mitzvah of explicitly by the Torah) the center of of Hashem’s blessings (that we often take
simcha on all Yamim Tovim, the celebration and even celebrated at for granted). May this celebration help
Aonly Sukkot is described as ן ַ מְז all? At the end of the summer (with the strengthen our confidence and merit us
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1 ּונ ֵ ת ָ ח ְ מׂ ִ ש. This is because three of the springs at their low point) we pour water continued good health, happiness and
Torah’s four Yom Tov-related mention- as a tefilla to Hashem to provide us with hatzlacha in the coming year.
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ings of simcha refer to Sukkot. The more. Why would this be the focus of
ָ
ְ
famous words ַ ח ֵ מׂ ָ ש ך ַ א ָ תיִי ָ ה ְ ו ךֶּ ג ַ ח ְּ ב ָּ ת ְ ח ַ מׂ ָ ש ְ ו or even a reason for simcha? 1 See also Rambam (Sukkah 8:12), who speaks
refer specifically to Chag HaSukkot. of a ‘simcha yeteira’ on Sukkot as opposed to
the regular level of simcha on other Yamim
The simplest explanation of the Sukkot A Deeper Level Of Simcha Tovim.
simcha is that we are celebrating a suc- The focus on the Simchat Beit HaShoeva 2 Vayikra 23:40, Devarim 16:14,15.
cessful harvest. This is why Sukkot is expresses a deeper level of the simcha. 3 Vayikra 23:39. See also Sefer HaChinuch 324.
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also called ףי ִ ס ָ א ָ ה ג ַ ח, the harvest festival. We are happy not only because of our Chazal also link the celebration to our having
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received Hashem’s forgiveness during the first
success but also because of our reali- part of the month of Tishrei (See Midrash
Lifnei Hashem – Before G-d zation that Hashem cares and provides Tehillim 102, Sukkah 53a, Vayikra Rabbah
The Rambam points out that our cele- for us. Most people celebrate their suc- 4 Emor 30).
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Shemot 23:16.
bration of a successful harvest is similar cess but have no real reason to assume 5 Moreh Nevuchim 3:43.
to that of other cultures. However, ours it will continue. Because we know that 6 This verse is the basis for the fact that the
differs in its focus – on the Beit HaMik- our success signifies the strength of our Four Species are taken seven full days only in
dash. The Torah mandates this with the relationship with Hashem, we are confi- the Beit HaMikdash (Mishnah Sukkah 41a).
See Rambam, Sefer HaMitzvot, Asei 169, who
words םי ִ מָי ת ַ ע ְ ב ׁ ִ ש ם ֶ כי ֵ קלֹ ֱ א 'ה יֵנ ְ פ ִ ל ם ֶּ ת ְ ח ַ מׂ ְ שּו dent that success will continue. connects the taking of the arba minim to the
(Vayikra 23:40). This is also why Sukkot When we pour our precious water on simcha of Sukkot
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is described as Chag Hashem. 7 the Mikdash’s mizbeach we are like 7 Vayikra 23:39. See also Devarim 16:15.
We celebrate lifnei Hashem because Eliyahu HaNavi at Har HaCarmel who 8 Note the parallel between the verses that
describe the simcha of Sukkot with the
we realize He is the cause of our suc- poured out four large jugs of their last arba minim (Vayikra 23:40) and those that
cess. Much like the mitzvah of bringing remaining water (after years of drought) describe the bringing of bikkurim (Devarim
26:2,11).
bikkurim, on Sukkot we use products on Hashem’s mizbeach. 14 9 This is why we take the arba minim during
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of the harvest to praise and thank We express this confidence by not only and integrate them within Hallel.
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Him for our success. We recount how pouring the last of our water but by also 10 See Rashbam and Ramban on Vayikra 23:39
Hashem cared for us in the desert and celebrating when we do so. We reflect and Ritva on Sukkah 53a.
realize that He continues to do so. on our success of the past year, appreci- 11 See Rashi, Sukkah 50a.
12 Sukkah 51b.
Simchat Beit HaShoeva – ate where it emanates from, thank and 13 Rosh Hashanah 16a.
Celebrating the Water Libation praise Hashem for it, and celebrate the 14 Melachim 1 17:34-35. See also Shmuel 2
23:16.
fact we are confident moving forward.
The focus of the Beit HaMikdash 15 Ibid 45.
simcha was the Simchat Beit HaSho- Like Eliyahu HaNavi whose actions and 16 Sefer HaChinuch 325.
eva. Throughout each night we would tefillot at Har HaCarmel were answered
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celebrate the water we had just drawn with rain, our proper celebration and
(shoeva) from the Shiloach spring before show of faith make us worthy of receiv-
pouring it on the mizbeach the next ing rain and Hashem’s other berachot. 16
morning. This simcha was so special This year is one in which we can easily Rabbi Reuven Taragin is Educational
that Chazal describe it as qualitatively focus on what we are missing and Director of Mizrachi and Dean of the Yeshi-
greater than any other. 12 unhappy about. It is critical we use Chag vat HaKotel Overseas Program.

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