Esnoga Bet Emunah

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Triennial Cycle (Triennial Torah Cycle) / Septennial Cycle (Septennial Torah Cycle)

 

 

Three and 1/2 year Lectionary Readings

Fourth Year of the Reading Cycle

Tishri 15-23, 5768 – Sept. 26 – Oct. 5, 2007

Seventh Year of the Shmita Cycle

 

sukkah2.jpg

 

Chag Sameach Sukkoth 5768

 

We wish all of our readers a most happy, blessed and joyous time over the holidays of Tabernacles together with loved ones and welcome daily most Distinguished guests at your Sukkah,

together with all of most noble brethren of Israel, amen ve amen!  

 

Candle Lighting and Havdalah Times

 

San Antonio, Texas, U.S.                                                           Brisbane, Australia:

Wed. Sept. 26, 2007 – Candles at 7:08 PM                                 Wed. Sept. 26, 2007 – Candles at 5:27 PM

Thurs. Sept. 27, 2007 – Candles at 8:00 PM                               Thurs. Sept. 27, 2007 – Candles at 6:20 PM

Friday, Sept. 28, 2007 – Candles at: 7:06 PM                             Friday, Sept. 28 2007 – Candles at: 5:28 PM

Saturday, Sept. 29, 2007 – Havdalah 7:58 PM                            Saturday, Sept. 29, 2007 – Havdalah 6:21 PM

Wednesday Oct. 3, 2007 – Candles at 7:00                                 Wednesday Oct. 3, 2007 – Candles at 5:31

Thursday Oct. 4, 2007 – Candles at 7:52                                     Thursday Oct. 4, 2007 – Candles at 6:24                                                             

Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.                                                               Singapore, Singapore

Wed. Sept. 26, 2007 – Candles at 7:12 PM                                 Wed. Sept. 26, 2007 – Candles at 6:41 PM

Thurs. Sept. 27, 2007 – Candles at 8:05 PM                               Thurs. Sept. 27, 2007 – Candles at 7:30 PM

Friday Sept. 28, 2007 – Candles at 7:09 PM                               Friday, Sept. 28, 2007 – Candles at: 6:41 PM

Saturday, Sept. 29, 2007 – Havdalah 8:03 PM                            Saturday, Sept. 29, 2007 – Havdalah 7:29 PM

Wednesday Oct. 3, 2007 – Candles at 7:02                                 Wednesday Oct. 3, 2007 – Candles at 6:39

Thursday Oct. 4, 2007 – Candles at 7:56                                     Thursday Oct. 4, 2007 – Candles at 7:27

 

Cebu, Philippines                                                                        Jakarta, Indonesia

Wed. Sept. 26, 2007 – Candles at 5:32 PM                                 Wed. Sept. 26, 2007 – Candles at 5:30 PM

Thurs. Sept. 27, 2007 – Candles at 6:21 PM                               Thurs. Sept. 27, 2007 – Candles at 6:19 PM

Friday Sept. 28, 2007 – Candles at 5:31 PM                               Friday Sept. 28, 2007 – Candles at 5:30 PM

Saturday Sept. 29, 2007 – Havdalah 6:20 PM                             Saturday Sept. 29, 2007 – Havdalah 6:19 PM

Wednesday Oct. 3, 2007 – Candles at 5:27                                 Wednesday Oct. 3, 2007 – Candles at 5:29

Thursday Oct. 4, 2007 – Candles at 6:16                                     Thursday Oct. 4, 2007 – Candles at 6:18

 

For other places see: http://chabad.org/calendar/candlelighting.asp

             

Readings for Sukkoth Day 1 – Tishri 15, 5768 – Sept 26-27, 2007

 

 

Torah Reading:

 מוֹעֲדֵי יי  

 

“Moade Adonai”

Reader 1 – Vayikra 22:26 – 23:3

“Appointed seasons of Ha-Shem”

Reader 2 – Vayikra 23:4-14

“Las fiestas solemnes de Ha-Shem”

Reader 3 – Vayikra 23:15-22

Vayikra (Leviticus) 22:26 – 23:44

B’Midbar (Numbers) 29:12-16

Reader 4 – Vayikra 23:23-31

Ashlamatah: Zekharyah 14:1-21

Reader 5 – Vayikra 23:32-44

 

 

Ecclesiastes 1:1 – 6:12

 

 

      Maftir – B’Midbar 29:12-16

N.C.: Yochanan 14:1-14

                   Zechariah 14:1-21

 

 

Targum Pseudo Jonathan on Leviticus 22:26 – 23:44

 

When a bullock, or a lamb, or a kid is brought forth according, to the manner of the world, it will be seven days after its dam, that there may be evidence that it is not imperfect; and on the eighth day and thenceforth, it is acceptable to be offered an oblation to the Name of the Lord. Sons of Israel, my people, as our Father in heaven is merciful, so will you be merciful on earth: neither cow, nor ewe, will you sacrifice along with her young on the same day. And when you offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the Name of the Lord, you will offer so as to be accepted. It will be eaten on that day, none will remain till the morning: I am the Lord. And you will observe My commandments to do them I am the Lord who gives a good reward, to them who keep My commandments and My laws. Nor will you profane My Holy Name, that I may be hallowed among the children of Israel. I am the Lord who sanctify you, having brought you forth redeemed from the land of Mizraim, that I may be to you Eloah: I am the Lord.

 

[JERUSALEM. In the time that You remind us of the order of the oblations as they are to be offered year by year; our offerings are to make atonement for our sins. But when our sins have given occasion, and we have not wherewith to bring from our flocks of sheep, a bullock is to be chosen before Me to recall to remembrance ­ the elder of the east, sincere altogether, Who brought to Your Name a calf tender and good, Which he gave to the young man, who hasted to dress it, and to bake unleavened cakes; and the angels did eat, and be was accounted worthy to receive the announcement that., behold, Sarah should give birth to Izhak. A lamb is to be chosen, secondly, to call to remembrance the righteousness/generosity of the prince who suffered himself to be bound upon the alter, and stretched forth his neck for Your Name's sake; when the heavens stooped down and condescended, and Izhak beheld their foundations, and his eyes were blinded by the high things (or, from the heights), on which account be was held worthy that a lamb should be provided in his stead for a burnt offering. A kid of the goats also is to be chosen, to call to remembrance the righteousness/generosity of that perfect one who put on the skins of the kids, and made savory meat, and brought of his viands unto his father, and gave wine to him to drink; on account of which he was held worthy to receive the orders of blessings from Izhak his father, that the twelve sacred tribes should arise to Your Name. Behold, then, how Mosheh, the prophet of the Lord, expounds, and says, Sons of Israel, my people, When a bullock, or a lamb, or a goat is brought forth, it will be seven days after its dam; on the eighth day and thenceforth it will be fit to be offered as an oblation to the Name of the Lord.]

 

XXIII. And the Lord spoke with Mosheh, saying: Speak with the sons of Israel, and say to them, The orders of the time of the Festivals of the Lord, which you will proclaim as holy convocations, these are the orders of the time of My festivals. Six days will you do work, and the seventh day (will be) a Sabbath and a rest, a holy convocation. No manner of work may you do; it is a Sabbath to the Lord in every place of your habitations.

 

These are the times of the Festivals of the Lord, holy convocations which you will proclaim in their times: In the month of Nisan, on the fourteenth day of the month, between the suns (will be) the time for the sacrifice of the Pascha to the Name of the Lord. And on the fifteenth day of this month the feast of unleavened cakes to the Name of the Lord. Seven days you will eat unleavened bread. On the first day of the feast a holy convocation will be to you; you will do no work of labor, but offer the oblation to the Name of the Lord seven days; in the seventh day of the feast will be a holy convocation; you will do no work of labor.

 

And the Lord spoke with Mosheh, saying: Speak with the sons of Israel, and say to them: When you have entered into the land which I give you, and you reap the harvest, you will bring the sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest unto the priest; and he will uplift the sheaf before the Lord to be accepted for you. After the first festal day of Pascha (or, the day after the feast-day of Pascha) on the day on which you elevate the sheaf, you will make (the sacrifice of a lamb of the year, unblemished a burnt offering unto the Name of the Lord: and its mincha, two tenths of flour, mingled with olive oil, for an oblation to the Name of the Lord, to be received with acceptance; and its libation, wine of grapes, the fourth of a hin. But neither bread nor parched corn (of the ripe harvest) nor new ears may you eat until this day, until the time of your bringing the oblation of your God: an everlasting statute unto your generations in all your dwellings

 

And number to you after the first feast day of Pascha, from the day when you brought the sheaf for the elevation, seven weeks; complete they will be. Until the day after the seventh week you will number fifty days, and will offer a mincha of the new bread unto the Name of the Lord. From the place of your dwellings you are to bring the bread for the elevation; two cakes of two tenths of flour, which must be baked with leaven, as first fruits unto the Name of the Lord. And with that bread you are to offer seven lambs of the year, unblemished, and a young bullock without mixture (of color), the one for a sin offering, and two lambs of the year for a sanctified oblation. And you will make (a sacrifice) of a young goat without mixture, the one for a sin offering and two lambs of the year for a sanctified oblation. And the priest will uplift them with the bread of the first fruits, an elevation before the Lord, with the two lambs; they will be holy to the Name of the Lord, and will be for the priest. And you will proclaim with life and strength that self-same day, that at the time of that day there will be to you a holy convocation: you will do no work of labor: it is an everlasting statute in all your dwelling for your generations.

 

And when you reap the harvest of the ground, you will not finish one corner that is in your field at your reaping nor will you gather the gleanings of your harvest, but leave them for the poor and the strangers: I am the Lord your God.

 

And the Lord spoke with Mosheh, saying: Speak with the children of Israel, saying: In Tishri, which is the seven month, will be to you a festival of seven days, a memorial of trumpets, a holy convocation. No work of labor may you do, but offer an oblation before the Lord unto the Name of the Lord. And the Lord spoke with Mosheh saying: But on the tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement; a holy convocation will it be to you, and you will humble your souls, (abstaining) from food, and from drink, and from the use of the bath, and from anointing, and the use of the bed, and from sandals; and you will offer an oblation before the Lord, and do no work on this same day; for it is the Day of Atonement, to make atonement for you before the Lord your God. For every man who eats in the fast, and will not fast that same day, will be cut off by death from among his people. [JERUSALEM. For every soul who hides himself from fasting and fasts not on the day of the fast of his atonement.] And every man who does any work on that same day, that man will I destroy with death from among his people. No work of labor may you do an everlasting statute for your generations, in all your dwellings. It is a Sabbath and time of leisure for you to humble your souls. And you will begin to fast at the ninth day of the month at even time; from that evening, until the next evening, will you fast your fast, and repose in your quietude, that you may employ the time of your festivals with joy. [JERUSALEM. From evening to evening you will fast your fast, and repose in your quietude, that you may employ the time of your festivals with joy.]

 

And the Lord spoke with Mosheh, saying: Speak with the sons of Israel: In the fifteenth day of this seventh month will be the Feast of Tabernacles, seven days unto the Name of the Lord. On the first day of the feast is a holy convocation; no work of labor may you do. Seven days you will offer an oblation to the Name of the Lord, you will gather together to pray before the Lord for rain; no work of labor may you do. These are the times of the order of the Lord's festivals which you are to convoke for holy convocations, to offer an oblation to the name of the Lord, a burnt sacrifice and a mincha, sanctified offerings and libations, the rite of a day in its day; beside the days of the Lord's Sabbaths, beside your gifts, and beside your vows, and beside your free-will offering which you bring before the Lord. But on the fifteenth of the seventh month, at the time when you collect the produce of the ground, you will solemnize a festival of the Lord seven days. On the first day, rest; and on the eighth day, rest. And of your own will you take on the first day of the feast, the fruits of praiseworthy trees, citrons, and lulabin, and myrtles, and willows that grow by the brooks; and you will rejoice before the Lord your God seven days. [JERUSALEM. Citrons and lulabs.] And you will solemnize it before the Lord seven days in the year, by an everlasting statute in your generations will you observe it in the seventh month. In tabernacles of two sides according to their rule, and the third a handbreadth (higher), that its shaded part may be greater than that into which comes the sunshine; to be made for a bower (or shade) for the feast, from different kinds (of materials) which spring from the earth and are uprooted: in measure seven palms, but the height within ten palms. In it you will sit seven days; the males in Israel, and children who need not their mothers, will sit in the tabernacles, blessing their Creator whenever they enter therein to. That your generations may know how, under the shadow of the cloud of glory, I made the sons of Israel to tabernacle at the time that I brought them out redeemed from the land of Mizraim. And Mosheh declared the time of the orders of the Lord's festivals, and taught them to the sons of Israel.

 

 

 

Ashlamatah for Sukkoth 1st Day: Zechariah 14:1-21

 

1 ¶ Behold, a day of the LORD comes, when your spoil will be divided in your midst.

2 For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city will be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city will go forth into captivity, but the remnant of the people will not be cut off from the city.

3 Then will the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when He fights in the day of battle.

4 And His feet will stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives will break in halve in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, so that there will be a very great valley; and half of the mountain will remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.

5 And you will flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains will reach unto Azel; yes, you will flee, like as you fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah; and the LORD my God will come, and all the holy ones with You.

6 And it will come to pass in that day, that there will not be light, but heavy clouds and thick;

7 And there will be one day which will be known as the LORD’S, not day, and not night; but it will come to pass, that at evening time there will be light.

 

8 ¶ And it will come to pass in that day, that living waters will go out from Jerusalem: half of them toward the eastern sea, and half of them toward the western sea; in summer and in winter will it be.

9 And the LORD will be King over all the earth; in that day will the LORD be One, and His name One.

10 All the land will be turned as the Arabah, from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem; and she will be lifted up, and inhabited in her place, from Benjamin’s gate unto the place of the first gate, unto the corner gate, and from the tower of Hananel unto the king’s winepresses.

11 And men will dwell therein, and there will be no more extermination; but Jerusalem will dwell safely.

12 And this will be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the peoples that have warred against Jerusalem: their flesh will consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes will consume away in their sockets, and their tongue will consume away in their mouth.

13 And it will come to pass in that day, that a great tumult from the LORD will be among them; and they will lay hold every one on the hand of his neighbor, and his hand will rise up against the hand of his neighbor.

14 And Judah also will fight against Jerusalem; and the wealth of all the nations round about will be gathered together, gold, and silver, and apparel, in great abundance.

15 And so will be the plague of the horse, of the mule, of the camel, and of the ass, and of all the beasts that will be in those camps, as this plague.

 

16 ¶ And it will come to pass, that every one that is left of all the gentiles that came against Jerusalem will go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.

17 And it will be, that whosoever of the families of the earth goes not up unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, upon them there will be no rain.

18 And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, they will have no overflow; there will be the plague, wherewith the LORD will smite the gentiles that go not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.

19 This will be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all the gentiles that go not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.

20 In that day will there be upon the bells of the horses: HOLY UNTO THE LORD; and the pots in the LORD’S house will be like the basins before the altar.

21 Yes, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah will be holy unto the LORD of hosts; and all they that sacrifice will come and take of them, and seethe therein; and in that day there will be no more a trafficker in the house of the LORD of hosts.

 

 

 

For further study and commentary on this festival see:

 

http://www.betemunah.org/succoth.doc

http://www.betemunah.org/birth.doc

 

 

 

Readings for Sukkoth Day 2 – Tishri 16, 5768 – Sept 27-28, 2007

 

 

 

Torah Reading:

מוֹעֲדֵי יי

 

“Moade Adonai”

Reader 1 – Vayikra 22:26 – 23:3

“Appointed seasons of Ha-Shem”

Reader 2 – Vayikra 23:4-14

“Las fiestas solemnes de Ha-Shem”

Reader 3 – Vayikra 23:15-22

Vayikra (Leviticus) 22:26 – 23:44

B’Midbar (Numbers) 29:12-16

Reader 4 – Vayikra 23:23-31

Ashlamatah: 1 Kings 8:2-21

Reader 5 – Vayikra 23:32-44

Ecclesiastes 7:1 – 12:14

      Maftir – B’midbar 29:12-16

N.C.: Yochanan 15:1-17

                   1 Kings 8:2-21

 

 

Midrash Pesiqta deRab Kahana: Pisqa Twenty-Seven

 

[On the fifteenth day of the seventh month. when you have gathered in the produce of the land. you will keep the feast of the Lord seven days...] And you will take on the first day [the fruit of goodly trees, branches of palm trees and boughs of leafy trees and willows of the brook; and you will rejoice before the Lord your God seven days. You will keep it as a feast to the Lord seven days in the year; it is a statute for ever throughout your generations; you will keep it in the seventh month. You will dwell in booths for seven days; all that are native in Israel will dwell in booths that your generations may know that I made the people of Israel dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God (Leviticus 23:39-43).

 

XXVII:I

 

R. Abba bar Kahana commenced [his discourse by citing the following verse]: Take my instruction instead of silver and knowledge rather than choice gold (Prov. 8:10)." Said R. Abba bar Kahana, 'Take the instruction of the Torah instead of silver. "Take the instruction of the Torah and not silver. “Why do you weigh out money? [Because there is no bread] (Is. 55:2). "Why do you weigh out money to the sons of Esau [Rome]? [It is because] there is no bread, because you did not sate yourselves with the bread of the Torah. "And [why] do you labor? Because there is no satisfaction (Is. 55:2). "Why do you labor while the nations of the world enjoy plenty? Because there is no satisfaction, that is, because you have not sated yourselves with the bread of the Torah and with the wine of the Torah. "For it is written, Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine I have mixed (Prov. 9:5)."

 

R. Berekhiah and R. Hiyya, his father, in the name of R. Yose b. Nehorai: "It is written, I will punish all who oppress him (Jer. 30:20), even those who collect funds for charity [and in doing so, treat people badly], except [for those who collect] the wages to be paid to teachers of Scripture and repeaters of Mishnah traditions. "For they receive [as a salary] only compensation for the loss of their time, [which they devote to teaching and learning rather than to earning a living]. "But as to the wages [for carrying out] a single matter in the Torah, no creature can pay the [appropriate] fee in reward."

 

It has been taught on Tannaite authority: On the New Year, a person's sustenance is decreed [for the coming year], except for what a person pays out [for food in celebration] of the Sabbath, festivals, the celebration of the New Month, and for what children bring to the house of their master [as his tuition]. If he deducts [from what he should give], [in Heaven] they deduct [from his wealth], but if he adds [to what is originally decreed], [in Heaven] they add to his [resources]. [Margulies, Vayyiqra Rabbah, p. 688, n. to 1.5, links this statement to Prov. 8:10.]

 

R. Yohanan was going up from Tiberias to Sepphoris. R. Hiyya bar Abba was supporting him. They carne to a field. He said, "This field once belonged to me, but I sold it in order to acquire merit in labor in the Torah." They carne to a vineyard, and he said, "This vineyard once belonged to me, but I sold it in order to acquire merit in labor in the Torah." They carne to an olive grove, and he said, "This olive grove once belonged to me, but I sold it in order to acquire merit in labor in the the Torah." R. Hiyya began to cry. Said R. Yohanan, "Why are you crying?" He said to him, "It is because you left nothing over to support you in your old age." He said to him, "Hiyya, my disciple, is what I did such a light thing in your view? I sold something which was given in a spell of six days [of creation] and in exchange I acquired something which was given in a spell of forty days [of revelation]. The entire world and everything in it was created in only six days, as it is written, For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth (Ex. 20:11). But the Torah was given over a period of forty days and forty nights, as it was said, And he was there with the Lord for forty days and forty nights (Ex. 34:28). [Leviticus Rabbah adds: And it is written, And I remained on the mountain for forty days and forty nights (Deut. 9:9).]"

 

When R. Yohanan died, his generation recited concerning him [the following verse of Scripture]: If a man should give all the wealth of his house for the love (Song 8:7), with which R. Yohanan loved the Torah, he would be utterly destitute (Song 8:7). When R. Abba bar Hoshaiah of Tiria died, they saw his bier flying in the air. His generation recited concerning him [the following verse of Scripture]: If a man should give all the wealth of his house for the love, with which the Holy One, blessed be He, loved Abba bar Hoshaiah of Tiria, he would be utterly destitute (Song 8:7). When R. Eleazar b. R. Simeon died, his generation recited concerning him [the following verse of Scripture]: Who is this who comes up out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, [perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all the powders of the merchant?] (Song 3:6). What is the meaning of the clause, With all the powders of the merchant?  [Like a merchant who carries all sorts of desired powders,] he was a master of Scripture, a repeater of Mishnah traditions, a writer of liturgical supplications, and a poet.

 

Another interpretation of the verse, Take my instruction instead of silver, {and knowledge rather than choice gold] (Prov. 8:10): Said R. Abba bar Kahana, "On the basis of the reward paid for one act of taking, you may assess the reward for [taking] the palm branch [on the festival of Tabernacles]. There was an act of taking in Egypt: You will take a bunch of hyssop (Ex. 12:22). And how much was it worth? Four manehs, maybe five. Yet that act of taking is what stood up for Israel [and so made Israel         inherit] the spoil of Egypt, the spoil at the sea, the spoil of Sihon and Og, and the spoil of the thirty-one kings. Now the palm-branch, which costs a person such a high price, and which involves so many religious duties - how much the more so [will a great reward be forthcoming on its account]!" Therefore Moses admonished Israel, saying to them, [On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the produce of the land, you will keep the feast of the Lord seven days...] And you will take on the first day {the fruit of goodly trees, branches of palm trees and boughs of leafy trees and willows of the brook; and you will rejoice before the Lord your God seven days. You will keep it as a feast to the Lord seven days in the year; it is a statute for ever throughout your generations; you will keep it in the seventh month. You will dwell in booths for seven days; all that are native in Israel will dwell in booths, that your generations may know that I made the people of Israel dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God (Leviticus 23:39-43).

 

 

XXVII:II

 

You show me the path of life, [in your presence there is fullness of joy] (Ps. 16:11). Said David before the Holy One, blessed be He, "Lord of the ages, show me the open gateway to the life of the world to come." R. Yudan and R. Azariah: R. Yudan said, "David said before the Holy One, blessed be He, 'Lord of the ages, show me the path of life.' "Said the Holy One, blessed be He, to David, 'If you seek life, look for fear, as it is said, The fear of the Lord prolongs life (Prov. 10:27)." R. Azariah said, "[The Holy One, blessed be He], said to David, 'If you seek life, look for suffering (YYSWRYN), as it is said, The reproofs of discipline (MWSR) are the way of life (Prov. 6:23)." [Leviticus Rabbah adds: Rabbis say, "The Holy One, blessed be He, said to David, 'David, if you seek life, look for Torah,' as it is said, It is a tree of life to those that hold fast to it (Prov. 3: 18)." R. Abba said, "David said before the Holy One, blessed be He, 'Lord of the ages, Show me the path of life.' Said to him the Holy One, blessed be He, 'Start fighting and exert yourself! Why are you puzzled? [Lieberman, in Margulies, Vayyiqra Rabbah, p. 880, to p. 692]. Work and eat: Keep my good deeds and live (Prov. 4:4)."']

 

The fullness (SWB') of joy in your presence (Ps. 16:11): Satisfy (SB'NW) us with five joys in your presence: Scripture, Mishnah, Talmud, Supplements, and Lore.

 

Another matter: In your presence is the fullness of joy (Ps. 16: 11): Read not fullness (SWB') but seven (SB'). These are the seven groups of righteous/generous men who are going to receive the face of the Presence of God [cf. Ephesians 4:11]. And their face is like the sun, moon, firmament, lightning, stars, lilies, and the candelabrum that was in the house of the sanctuary. How do we know that it is like the sun? As it is said, Clear as the sun (Song 6:10). How do we know that it is like the moon? As it is said, As lovely as the moon (Song 6:10). How do we know that it is like the firmament? As it is said, And they that are wise will shine as the brightness of the firmament (Dan. 12:3). How do we know that it is like the lightning? As it is said, Their appearance is like torches, they run to and fro like lightning (Nah. 2:5). And how do we know that it is like the stars? As it is said, And they that turn the many to righteousness/generosity as the stars forever and ever (Dan. 12:3). How do we know that it is like lilies? As it is said, For the leader: upon the lilies (Ps. 69:1). How do we know that it will be like the candelabrum of the house of the sanctuary? As it is said, And he said to me, What do you see? And I said, I looked and behold [there was] a candelabrum all of gold (Zech. 4:2).

 

At your right hand is bliss for evermore (Ps. 16:11). Said David before the Holy One, blessed be He, "Lord of the ages, now who will tell me which group [among those listed above] is the most beloved and blissful of them all?" There were two Amoras [who differed on this matter]. One of them said, "It is the group that comes as representative of the Torah and commandments, as it is said, With a flaming fire at his right hand (Deut. 33:2)." And the other said, "This refers to the scribes, the Mishnah repeaters, and those who teach children in their fear, who are going to sit at the right hand of the Holy One, blessed be He. That is in line with the following verse of Scripture: I keep the Lord always before me, because he is at my right hand, I will not be moved (Ps. 16:8).

 

Another matter concerning the verse You show me the path of life, in your presence there is fullness of joy, in your right hand are pleasures for evermore (Ps. 16:11): In your presence there is fullness (SWB') of joy (Ps. 16:11): [Leviticus Rabbah adds: Read only "seven (SB ') joys."] These are the seven religious duties associated with the Festival [Tabernacles]. These are they: the four species that are joined in the palm branch, [the building of] the Tabernacle, [the offering of] the festal sacrifice, [the offering of] the sacrifice of rejoicing.

 

If there is the offering of the sacrifice of rejoicing, then why is there also the offering of the festal sacrifice? And if there is [the offering of] the festal sacrifice, then why also is there [the offering of] the sacrifice of rejoicing? Said R. Abin, "The matter may be compared to two who came before a judge. Now we do not know which one of them is the victor. But it is the one who takes the palm branch in his hand who we know to be the victor. So is the case of Israel and the nations of the world. The [latter] come and draw an indictment before the Holy One, blessed be He, on the New Year, and we do not know which party is victor. But when Israel goes forth from before the Holy One, blessed be He, with their palm branches and their citrons in their hands, we know that it is Israel that are the victors. Therefore Moses admonishes Israel, saying to them, [On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the produce of the land, you will keep the feast of the Lord seven days...] And you will take on the first day [the fruit of goodly trees, branches of palm trees and boughs of leafy trees and willows of the brook; and you will rejoice before the Lord your God seven days. You will keep it as a feast to the Lord seven days in the year; it is a statute for ever throughout your generations; you will keep it in the seventh month. You will dwell in booths for seven days; all that are native in Israel will dwell in booths, that your generations may know that I made the people of Israel dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God (Leviticus 23:39-43).

 

 

XXVII:III

 

He will regard the prayer of the destitute [and will not despise their supplication] (Ps. 102:17): Said R. Reuben, "We are unable to make sense of David's character. Sometimes he calls himself king, and sometimes he calls himself destitute. How so? When he foresaw that righteous/generous men were going to come from him, such as Asa, Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah, and Josiah, he would call himself king as it is said, Give the king your judgments, O God (Ps. 72:1). When he foresaw that wicked men would come forth from him, for example, Ahaz, Manasseh, and Amon, he would call himself destitute, as it is said, A prayer of one afflicted, when he is faint [and pours out his complaint before the Lord] (Ps. 102:1)."

 

R. Alexandri interpreted the cited verse He will regard the prayer of the destitute [and will not despise their supplication] (Ps. 102:17) to speak of a worker: "[Margulies, ad loc., explains: The one afflicted is the worker. The word for faint, 'TP, bears the meaning, cloak oneself, hence in prayer. The worker then has delayed his prayer, waiting for the overseer to leave, at which point he can stop and say his prayer. So he postpones his prayer.] [So Alexandri says], "Just as a worker sits and watches all day long for when the overseer will leave for a bit, so he is late when he says [his prayer], [so David speaks at Ps. 102:1: Hear my prayer, O Lord; let my cry come to you]." That [interpretation of the word 'TP] is in line with the use in the following verse: And those that were born late belonged to Laban (Gen. 30:42)." What is the meaning of those that were born late?  R. Isaac bar Haqolah said, "The ones that tarried."

 

[Another interpretation: He will regard the prayer of the destitute [and will not despise their supplication] (Ps. 102:17);] Said R. Simeon b. Laqish, "As to this verse, the first half of it is not consistent with the second half, and vice versa. If it is to be, 'He will regard the prayer of the destitute [individual],' he should then have said, 'And will not despise his supplication.' But if it is to be, 'He will not despise their supplication: then he should have said, 'He will regard the prayer of those who are destitute.' But [when David wrote] He will regard the prayer of the individual destitute, this [referred to] the prayer of Manasseh, king of Judah. And [when David wrote,] He will not despise their supplication, this [referred to] his prayer and the prayer of his fathers. That is in line with the following verse of Scripture: And he prayed to him, and he was entreated of him (2 Chron. 33:13)." What is the meaning of the phrase, He was entreated (Y'TR) of him?  Said R. Eleazar b. R. Simeon, "In Arabia they call a breach an athirta [so an opening was made for his prayer to penetrate to the Throne of God]" And he brought him back to Jerusalem, [his kingdom] (2 Chron. 33:13). How did he bring him back? R. Samuel b. R. Jonah said in the name of R. Aha, "He brought him back with a wind. That is in line with the phrase [in The Prayer], He causes the wind to blow." [At that moment] And Manasseh knew that the Lord is God (2 Chron. 33:13). Then Manasseh said, "There is justice and there is a judge."

 

R. Isaac interpreted the verse He will regard the prayer of the destitute [and will not despise their supplication] (Ps. 102:17) to speak of these generations which have neither king nor prophet, neither priest nor Urim and Thummim, but who have only this prayer alone. Said David before the Holy One, blessed be He, 'Lord of the ages, "Do not despise their prayer. Let this be recorded for a generation to come' (Ps. 102:19). On the basis of that statement, [we know that] the Holy One, blessed be He, accepts penitents. "So that a people yet unborn may praise the Lord (Ps. 102:19). For the Holy One, blessed be He, will create them as a new act of creation.

 

Another interpretation: Let this be recorded for a generation to come (Ps. 102:18): This refers to the generation of Hezekiah, [Leviticus Rabbah adds: which was tottering toward death]. So that a people yet unborn may praise the Lord (Ps. 102:18): for the Holy One, blessed be He, created them in a new act of creation.

 

Another interpretation: Let this be recorded for a generation to come (Ps. 102:18): This refers to the generation of Mordecai and Esther, which was tottering toward death. So that a people yet unborn may praise the Lord (Ps. 102:18): for the Holy One, blessed be He, created them in a new act of creation.

 

Another interpretation: Let this be recorded for a generation to come (Ps. 102:18): This refers to these very generations [in our own day], which are tottering to death. So that a people yet unborn may praise the Lord (Ps. 102:18): For the Holy One, blessed be He, is going to create them anew, in a new act of creation.

 

What do we have to take [in order to reach that end]? Take up the palm branch and citron and praise the Holy One, blessed be He. Therefore Moses admonishes Israel, saying, [On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the produce of the land, you will keep the feast of the Lord seven days...] And you will take on the first day [the fruit of goodly trees, branches of palm trees and boughs of leafy trees and willows of the brook; and you will rejoice before the Lord your God seven days. You will keep it as a feast to the Lord seven days in the year; it is a statute for ever throughout your generations; you will keep it in the seventh month. You will dwell in booths for seven days; all that are native in Israel will dwell in booths, that your generations may know that I made the people of Israel dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God (Leviticus 23:39-43).

 

 

XXVII:IV

 

Let the field exult and everything in it. [Then will all the trees of the wood sing for joy before the Lord, for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth] (Ps. 96:12-13): [Let the field exult] refers to the world, as it is said, And it came to pass, when they were in the field (Gen. 4:8) [and determined to divide up the world between them]. And everything in it refers to creatures. That is in line with the following verse of Scripture: The earth is the Lord's, and all that is in it (Ps. 24:1). Then will all the trees of the wood sing for joy (Ps. 96:12). And there is the verse: Then will all the trees of the forest shout for joy (1 Chron. 16:33). Said R. Aha, "The forest and all the trees of the forest. The forest refers to fruit-bearing trees. And all the trees of the forest encompasses those trees that do not bear fruit. Before whom? Before the Lord (Ps. 96:14). Why? For he comes on New Year and on the Day of Atonement. To do what? To judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness/generosity, and the peoples with his truth/Torah (Ps. 96:13).

 

 

XXVII:V

 

I wash my hands in innocence and go about your altar, O Lord, [singing aloud a song of thanksgiving, and telling all your wondrous deeds] (Ps. 26:6-7): [What I require I acquire] through purchase, not theft. [Leviticus Rabbah adds:] For we have learned there: A stolen or dried up palm branch is invalid. And one deriving from an asherah or an apostate town is invalid (Mishnah Suk. 3:1A-B). And go about your altar, O Lord (Ps. 26:7). That is in line with what we have learned there: Every day they circumambulate, the altar one time and say, "We beseech you, O Lord, save now. We beseech you, O Lord, make us             prosper now" [Ps. 118:25]. R. Judah says, "I and him, save now." On that day they circumambulate the altar seven times (Mishnah Suk. 4:5).

 

Singing aloud a song of thanksgiving (Ps. 26:7) - this refers to the offerings. And telling all your wondrous deeds (Ps. 26:7): Said R. Abun, "This refers to the Hallel Psalms [Ps. 113-118], which contain [praise for what God has done] in the past, also [what he has done] during these generations, as well as what will apply to the days of the Messiah, to the time of Gog and Magog, and to the age to come. "When Israel went forth from Egypt (Ps. 114:1) refers to the past. “Not for us, O Lord, not for us (Ps. 115:1) refers to the present generations. "I love for the Lord to hear (Ps. 116:1) refers to the days of the Messiah. "All the nations have encompassed me (Ps. 118:10) speaks of the time of Gog and Magog. "You are my God and I will exalt you (Ps. 118:28) speaks of the age to come."

 

 

XXVII:VI

 

And you will take [for yourselves] (Lev. 23:40): R. Hiyya taught, "The act of taking must be accomplished by each and every one of you." "For yourselves" - for every one of you. They must be yours and not stolen.

 

Said R. Levi, "One who takes a stolen palm branch - to what is he comparable? To a thief who sat at the cross roads and mugged passersby. One time a legate came by, to collect the taxes for that town. [The thug] rose before him and mugged him and took everything he had. After some time the thug was caught and put in prison. The legate heard and came to him. He said to him, 'Give back what you grabbed from me, and I'll argue in your behalf before the king.' He said to him, 'Of everything that I robbed and of everything that I took, I have nothing except for this rug that is under me, and it belongs to you.' He said to him, 'Give it to me, and I'll argue in your behalf before the king.' He said to him, 'Take it.' "He said to him, 'You should know that tomorrow you are going before the king for judgment, and he will ask you and say to you, "Is there anyone who can argue in your behalf," and you may say to him, "I have the legate, Mr. So-and-so, to speak in my behalf," and he will send and call me, and I will come and argue in your behalf before him.' The next day they set him up for judgment before the king. The king asked him, saying to him, 'Do you have anyone to argue in your behalf?' He said to him, 'I have a legate, Mr. So-and-so, to speak in my behalf.' The king sent for him. He said to him, 'Do you know anything to say in behalf of this man?' He said to him, 'I do indeed have knowledge. When you sent me to collect the taxes of that town, he rose up before me and mugged me and took everything that I had. That rug that belongs to me gives testimony against him.' Everyone began to cry out, saying, 'Woe for this one, whose defense     attorney has turned into his prosecutor.' So a person acquires a palm branch to attain merit through it. But if it was a stolen one, [the branch] cries out before the Holy One, blessed be He, 'I am stolen! I am taken by violence.' And the ministering angels say, 'Woe for this one, whose defense attorney has turned into his prosecutor!'"

 

 

XXVII:VII

 

[On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered the produce of the land, you will keep the feast of the Lord seven days;] on the first day [will be a solemn rest] (Lev. 23:40). This in fact is the fifteenth day, yet you speak of the first day! R. Mana of Sheab and R. Joshua of Sikhnin in the name of R. Levi said, "The matter may be compared to the case of a town which owed arrears to the king, so the king went to collect [what was owing]. [When he had reached] ten mils [from the town], the great men of the town came forth and praised him. He remitted a third of their [unpaid] tax. When he came within five mils of the town, the middle-rank people came out and acclaimed him, so he remitted yet another third [of what was owing to him]. When he entered the town, men, women, and children, came forth and praised him. He remitted the whole [of the tax]. Said the king, 'What happened, happened. From now on we will begin keeping books [afresh].' "So on the eve of the New Year, the Israelites repent, and the Holy One, blessed be He, remits a third of their [that is, Israel's] sins. On the ten days of repentance from the New Year to the Day of Atonement outstanding individuals fast, and the Holy One, blessed be He, remits most of their [that is, Israel's] sins. On the Day of Atonement all Israel fasts, so the Holy One, blessed be He, forgives them for all their sins [Leviticus Rabbah: says to Israel, 'What happened, happened. From now on we will begin keeping books afresh].'"

 

Said R. Aha, "For with you there is forgiveness (Ps. 80:4). From the New Year forgiveness awaits you. Why so long? So that You may be feared (Ps. 80:4). To put Your fear into creatures. From the Day of Atonement to the Festival, all the Israelites are kept busy with doing religious duties. This one takes up the task of building his tabernacle, that one preparing his palm branches. On the first day of the Festival, all Israel they take their palm branches and citrons in their hand and praise the Holy One, blessed be He. The Holy One, blessed be He, says to them, 'What happened, happened. From now on we will begin keeping books [afresh].'" Therefore Scripture says, On the first day. What is the sense of the first day? It is first in the task of reckoning sins [done in the future], that is, from the first day of the festival.

 

 

XXVII:VIII

 

On the first day (Lev. 23:40): By day and not by night. On the...day - even on the Sabbath. On the first day - only the first day [of the Festival] overrides the restrictions [of Sabbath rest. When the Sabbath coincides with other than the first day of the Festival, one does not carry the palm branch.]

 

[And you will take...) the fruit of a goodly tree [branches of palm trees and boughs of leafy trees and willows of the brook) (Lev. 23:40). R. Hiyya taught, "A tree: the taste of the wood and fruit of which is the same. This is the citron." Goodly (HDR): Ben Azzai said, "[Fruit] that remains [HDR] on its tree from year to year." Aqilas the proselyte translated [HDR] as, "That which dwells by water (Greek: hudor)." Branches of a palm tree (Lev. 23:40): R. Tarfon says, "[As to branch of palm tree (KPWT)], it must be bound. If it was separated, one has to bind (YKPWT) it up." Boughs of leafy trees: The branches of which cover over the wood. One has to say, "This is the myrtle." Willows of the brook: I know only that they must come from a brook. How do I know that those that come from a valley or a hill [also are valid]? Scripture says, "And willows of a brook." Abba Saul says, "'And willows of the brook' refers to the requirement that there be two, one willow for the palm branch, and a willow for the sanctuary." R. Ishmael says, "The fruit of goodly trees' indicates one; 'branches of palm tree' also one; 'boughs of leafy trees,' three; 'willows of the brook,' two. Two [of the myrtles] may have the twigs trimmed at the top, and one may not." R. Tarfon says, "Even all three of them may be trimmed."

 

 

XXVII:IX

 

R. Aqiba says, "The fruit of goodly (HDR) trees refers to the Holy One, blessed be He, concerning whom it is written, You are clothed with glory and majesty (HDR) (Ps. 104:1). "Branches of palm trees refers to the Holy One, blessed be He, concerning whom it is written, The Righteous/Generous One will flourish like a palm tree (Ps. 92: 13). "Boughs of leafy trees refers to the Holy One, blessed be He, concerning whom it is written, And he stands among the leafy trees (Zech. 1:8). "And willows of the brook refers to the Holy One, blessed be He, concerning whom it is written, Extol him who rides upon the willows, whose name is the Lord (Ps. 68:5)."

 

Another interpretation: The fruit of goodly (HDR) trees (Lev. 23:40): This refers to Abraham, whom the Holy One, blessed be He, honored (HDR) with a goodly old age, as it is said, And Abraham was an old man, [coming along in years](Gen. 24:1). [Leviticus Rabbah adds:] And it is written, And you will honor (HDR) the face of an old man (Lev. 19:32). Branches (KPWT) of palm trees (Lev. 23:40): This refers to Isaac, who was tied (KPWT) and bound upon the altar. And boughs of leafy trees (Lev. 23:40): This refers to Jacob. Just as a myrtle is rich in leaves, so Jacob was rich in children. Willows of the brook (Lev. 23:40): This refers to Joseph. Just as the willow wilts before the other three species do, so Joseph died before his brothers did.

 

Another interpretation: The fruit of goodly trees (Lev. 23:40): This refers to Sarah our mother, whom the Holy One, blessed be He, honored with a goodly old age, as it is said, And Abraham and Sarah were old (Gen. 18:11). Branches of palm trees (Lev. 23:40): this refers to Rebecca our mother. Just as a palm tree contains both edible fruit and thorns, so Rebecca produced a righteous/generous and a wicked son [Jacob and Esau]. Boughs of leafy trees (Lev. 23:40): this refers to Leah our mother. Just as a myrtle is rich in leaves, so Leah was rich in children. And willows of the brook (Lev. 23:40): this refers to Rachel our mother. Just as the willow wilts before the other three species do, so Rachel died before her sister.

 

Another interpretation: The fruit of goodly trees (Lev. 23:40) refers to the great Sanhedrin of Israel, which the Holy One, blessed be He, honored (HDR) with old age, as it is said, You will rise up before old age (Lev. 19:32). Branches (KPWT) of palm trees (Lev. 23:40): this refers to disciples of sages, who compel (KWPYN) themselves to study Torah from one another. Boughs of leafy trees refers to the three rows of disciples who sit before them. And willows of the brook (Lev. 23:40): this refers to the court scribes, who stand before them, one on the right side, the other on the left, [and write down the opinions of those who vote to acquit and those who vote to convict].

 

Another interpretation: The fruit of goodly trees refers to Israel. Just as a citron has both taste and fragrance, so in Israel are people who have [the merit of both] Torah and good deeds. Branches of palm trees (Lev. 23:30): refers to Israel. Just as a palm has a taste but no fragrance, so in Israel are people who have [the merit of] Torah but not of good deeds. Boughs of leafy tree refers to Israel. Just as a myrtle has a fragrance but no taste, so in Israel are people who have the merit of good deeds but not of Torah. Willows of the brook refers to Israel. Just as a willow has neither taste nor fragrance, so in Israel are those who have the [merit] neither of Torah nor of good deeds. Said the Holy One, blessed be He, "Utterly to destroy them is not possible rather, let them all be joined together in a single bond, and they will effect atonement for one another. And if you have done so, at that moment I will be exalted." Therefore Moses admonishes Israel: [On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the produce of the land, you will keep the feast of the Lord seven days...] And you will take on the first day (the fruit of goodly trees, branches of palm trees and boughs of leafy trees and willows of the brook; and you will rejoice before the Lord your God seven days. You will keep it as a feast to the Lord seven days in the year; it is a statute for ever throughout your generations; you will keep it in the seventh month. You will dwell in booths for seven days; all that are native in Israel will dwell in booths, that your generations may know that I made the people of Israel dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God (Leviticus 23:39-43 ).

 

 

XXVII:X

 

R. Berekhiah in the name of R. Levi: "[God speaks], Through the merit [attained in fulfilling the commandment], And you will take for yourself on the first day... (Lev. 23:40), lo, I will be revealed to you first; I will exact punishment for you from the first one; I will build for you first; and bring to you the first one. I will be revealed for you first, refers to the Holy One, blessed be He, as it is said, I the Lord am first (Is. 41:4). I will exact punishment for you from the first one refers to the wicked Esau, as it is written, And the red one came forth first (Gen. 24:24). And I will build for you first [refers to the house of the sanctuary], concerning which it is written, You throne of glory, on high from the first (Jer. 17:12). And I will bring to you the first one, namely, the king messiah, concerning whom it is written, The first to Zion I will give (Is. 41:27)."

 

 

 

Ashlamatah for Sukkoth 2nd Day - I Kings 8:2-21

 

2 And all the men of Israel assembled themselves unto king Solomon at the feast, in the month Ethanim, which is the seventh month.

3 And all the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark.

4 And they brought up the ark of the LORD, and the tent of meeting, and all the holy vessels that were in the Tent; even these did the priests and the Levites bring up.

5 And king Solomon and all the congregation of Israel, that were assembled unto him, were with him before the ark, sacrificing sheep and oxen, that could not be told nor numbered for multitude.

6 And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the LORD unto its place, into the Sanctuary of the house, to the most holy place, even under the wings of the cherubim.

7 For the cherubim spread forth their wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubim covered the ark and the staves thereof above.

8 And the staves were so long that the ends of the staves were seen from the holy place, even before the Sanctuary; but they could not be seen without; and there they are unto this day.

9 There was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone which Moses put there at Horeb, when the LORD made a covenant with the children of Israel when they came out of the land of Egypt.

10 And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD,

11 so that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud; for the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD.

 

12 ¶ Then spoke Solomon: The LORD has said that He would dwell in the thick darkness.

13 I have surely built You a house of habitation, a place for You to dwell in forever.

14 And the king turned his face about, and blessed all the congregation of Israel; and all the congregation of Israel stood.

15 And he said: ‘Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who spoke with His mouth unto David my father, and has with His hand fulfilled it, saying:

16 Since the day that I brought forth My people Israel out of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build a house, that My name might be there; but I chose David to be over My people Israel.

17 Now it was in the heart of David my father to build a house for the name of the LORD, the God of Israel.

18 But the LORD said unto David my father: Whereas it was in your heart to build a house for My name, you did well that it was in your heart;

19 nevertheless you will not build the house; but your son that will come forth out of your loins, he will build the house for My name.

20 And the LORD has established His word that He spoke; for I am risen up in the room of David my father, and sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and have built the house for the name of the LORD, the God of Israel.

21 And there have I set a place for the ark, wherein is the covenant of the LORD, which He made with our fathers, when He brought them out of the land of Eg

 

 

 

For further study and commentary on this festival see:

 

http://www.betemunah.org/succoth.doc

http://www.betemunah.org/birth.doc

 

 

 

Shabbat Hol Ha_Moed Sukkoth

Intermediate Sabbath of the Festival of Sukkoth

Tishri 17, 5768 – Sept. 28-29, 2007

 

Shabbat

Torah Reading:

 הַעַל אֶת-הָעָם הַזֶּה

 

“Ha’Al Et-HaAm Haze”

Reader 1 – Shemot 33:12-16

Bring up this people

Reader 2 – Shemot 33:17-19

“Saca este pueblo”

Reader 3 – Shemot 33:20-23

Shemot (Ex.) 33:12 – 34:26

B’Midbar (Num.) 29:17-22

Reader 4 – Shemot 34:1-3

Ashlamatah: Ezek. 38:18 – 39:16

Reader 5 – Shemot 34:4-10

 

Reader 6 – Shemot 34:11-17

Psalm 84

Reader 7 – Shemot 34:18-26

 

      Maftir – B’midbar 29:17-22

N.C.: 1 Tsefet (Peter) 2:1-25

                   Ezekiel 38:18 – 39:16

 

Targum Pseudo Jonathan on Exodus 33:12 – 34:26

 

And Mosheh said before the Lord, Lo, what have You said to me, Take this people up? but You have not made me to know whom You will send with me. By Your Word You have said, I have ordained you with a goodly name, and you have found favor before Me. But now I pray, if I have found mercy before You, make me to know the way of Your goodness, to understand Your mercy when in Your dealing with just/generous men it falls to them as it (falls) to the guilty, and to the guilty as to the just/generous; but, on the contrary how it (indeed) befalls the just/generous according to their righteousness/generosity and the guilty according to their guilt: that I may find mercy before You, and it be made manifest by You that this people is Your people. And He said, Await, until the face of My displeasure will have gone away, and afterward I will give you rest. And he said to Him, If Your wrath goes not from us, suffer us not to go up from hence under the frown of Your displeasure. In what will it be known that I have found mercy before You but in the converse of Your Shekinah with us, that distinguishing signs may be wrought for us, in the withholding of the Spirit of prophecy from the nations, and by Your speaking by the Holy Spirit to me and to Your people, that we may be distinguished from all the peoples upon the face of the earth? And the Lord said to Mosheh, This thing also which you have spoken of, will I do; for you have found mercy before Me, and I have ordained you with a goodly name. And he said, Show now unto me Your glory: but He said, Behold, I will make all the measure of My goodness pass before you, and I will give utterance in the good name of the Word of the Lord before you; and I will have compassion upon whom I see it right to have compassion, and will be merciful to whom I see it right to have mercy. [JERUSALEM. And He said, Behold, I will make all the measure of My goodness to pass before you, and I will give utterance in the Name of the Lord before you, and I will have compassion upon whom I see it right to have compassion, and will be merciful upon whom I see it right to have mercy.] And He said, you can not see the visage of My face; for no man can see Me and abide alive. And the Lord said, Behold, a place is prepared before Me, and you will stand upon the rock. And it will be that when the glory of My Shekinah passes before you, I will put you in a cavern of the rock, and will overshadow you with My Word until the time that I have passed by. [JERUSALEM. And I will overshadow with My hand.] And I will make the host of angels who stand and minister before Me to pass by, and you will see the hand-border of the tephilla of My glorious Shekinah; but the face of the glory of My Shekinah you will not be able to see. [JERUSALEM. And I will cause the hosts of angels who stand and minister before Me to pass by, and will make known the oracle; for the glory of My Shekinah you are not able to behold.

 

XXXIV. And the Lord said to Mosheh, Hew yourself two tables of stone, as the former, and write upon the tables the words that were upon the former tables which you did break; and be ready in the morning; and at morning ascend Mount Sinai and stand there before Me on the summit of the mountain. No man will ascend with you, nor any man be seen on all the mountain, nor sheep, nor oxen grazing on the side of the mount. And he hewed two tables of stone like the former: and Mosheh arose in the morning and ascended Mount Sinai, as the Lord had instructed him, and took in his hand the two tables of stone.

 

And the Lord revealed Himself in the cloud of the glory of His Shekinah, and Mosheh stood with Him there; and Mosheh called on the Name of the Word of the Lord. And the Lord made His Shekinah to pass by before his face, and proclaimed, The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and near in mercies, abounding to exercise compassion and truth; keeping mercy and bounty for thousands of generations, absolving and remitting guilt, passing by rebellions, and covering sins; pardoning them who convert unto the law, but holding not guiltless in the great day of judgment those who will not convert; visiting the sins of fathers upon rebellious children upon the third and upon the fourth generation. And Mosheh made haste and bowed himself upon the earth and worshipped. [JERUSALEM. And the glory of the Shekinah of the Lord passed by before him; and Mosheh prayed, and said, Lord, Lord God, merciful and gracious, slow to be angry but ready to be merciful, and abounding to exercise kindness and truth; keeping goodness for thousands of generations; absolving and remitting sin and transgressions, but not to acquit the guilty in the great day of judgment; and remembering the sins of wicked fathers upon rebellious children upon the third and upon the fourth generation. And Mosheh hastened and prostrated himself upon the earth, and gave thanks and glorified.]

 

And he said, If now I have found mercy before the Lord let the Shekinah of the Glory of the Lord go among us; for it is a people of hard neck; but You pardon our guilt and our sin, and give us the inheritance of the land which You did covenant unto our fathers, and change us not to become an alien people. And He said, Behold, I make covenant that I will not change this people to become an alien people; nevertheless from you will proceed a multitude of the righteous/generous; and with all your people will I do wondrous things in the time when they go into captivity by the rivers of Bavel: for I will bring them up from thence, and make them dwell from within the river Sambation; and like wonders will not be created among all the inhabitants of the earth, nor among any nation. And all the people among whom you will dwell will see in that day the work of the Lord; for terrible is the thing that I will do with you.                                                                  

 

 

 

Observe that which I command you this day: behold, I Chase out from before you the Amoraee, and Kenaanaee, and Hittaee, and Pherizaee, and Hivaee, and Jebusaee. Take heed to yourself, lest you strike covenants with the inhabitants of that land into which you are to enter; that it may not be a stumbling block unto you. But you will rather destroy their high places, and break their statues, and cut down their groves; for it is not lawful for you to worship other gods; for the Lord is zealous and vengeful; His Name is God, the Zealous and the Avenger. Lest you strike covenant with the dwellers in the land, and they draw you astray after their idols, and they sacrifice to their idols, and invite you, and you eat of the sacrifices of their idols and you take of their daughters for your sons, and when their daughters wander after their idols they make your sons also go astray after their idols. [JERUSALEM. And they cause to err.] Molten gods you will not make for you.

 

You will observe the feast of the unleavened. Seven days you will eat unleavened (cakes), as I have commanded you, in the time of the month Abib; for in the month of Abib you came out free from Mizraim. Whatever first opens the womb is Mine; and of all cattle you are to consecrate the males, of oxen, and of sheep. But the firstling of an ass you may redeem with a lamb; but if you redeem him not, you will cut him off with the blade. And each firstborn of your sons you must redeem; and they will not appear before Me empty-handed [JERUSALEM. All firstlings opening the womb you will sanctify unto My Name; all the firstborn of your males, the first that breaks through the womb, of oxen and of sheep. 20. My people of the house of Israel, it will not be allowed you to see the Lord your God empty of any precept.]

 

Six days will you work, and in the seventh day have rest; in ploughing time and in harvest time you will rest. [JERUSALEM. In ploughing.] The feast of weeks also will you make to yourself in the time of the firsts of the wheat harvest; and the feast of ingathering at the conclusion of the year. Three times in the year will all your males appear before the Master of the world, the Lord God of Israel. For I will Chase out the nations from before you, and enlarge your borders; and no man will covet your land at the time of your going up to appear before the Lord your God thrice in the year.

 

You will not sacrifice the victim of My passover before you have done away with leaven; nor suffer the fat of the paschal sacrifice to remain about the altar till the morning. [JERUSALEM. You will not sacrifice with leaven the blood of the paschal victim, nor suffer the flesh which you sacrifice on the night of the feast of the first of Pascha to remain from the evening till the morning.] The best of the first-fruits of your land you will bring to the sanctuary of the Lord your God. You are not allowed to boil or to eat flesh and milk mixed together, lest My displeasure be kindled against you, and the fruit of your trees, with the grapes in their branches and their leaves, be laid waste together [JERUSALEM. The first (best) of the firstfruits of your produce you will bring to the sanctuary of the Lord your God. My people of the house of Israel, you will not be allowed to boil or to eat flesh and milk mixed together.]

 

 

 

Ashlamatah for Shabbat Hol HaMoed Sukkoth

Ezekiel 38:18 – 39:16

 

18 And it shall come to pass in that day, when Gog shall come against the land of Israel, says the Lord GOD, that My fury shall arise up in My nostrils.

19 For in My jealousy and in the fire of My wrath have I spoken: Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel;

20 so that the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the field and all creeping things that creep upon the ground, and all the men that are upon the face of the earth, shall shake at My presence, and the mountains shall be thrown down, and the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground.

21 And I will call for a sword against him throughout all my mountains, says the Lord GOD; every man’s sword shall be against his brother.

22 And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will cause to rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many peoples that are with him, an overflowing shower, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone.

23 Thus will I magnify Myself, and sanctify Myself, and I will make Myself known in the eyes of many nations; and they shall know that I am the LORD.

 

1 ¶ And you, son of man, prophesy against Gog, and say: Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal;

2 and I will turn you about and lead you on, and will cause you to come up from the uttermost parts of the north; and I will bring you upon the mountains of Israel;

3 and I will smite your bow out of thy left hand, and will cause your arrows to fall out of your right hand.

4 You shall fall upon the mountains of Israel, you, and all your bands, and the peoples that are with you; I will give you unto the ravenous birds of every sort and to the beasts of the field, to be devoured.

5 You shall fall upon the open field; for I have spoken it, says the Lord GOD.

6 And I will send a fire on Magog, and on them that dwell safely in the isles; and they shall know that I am the LORD.

7 And My holy name will I make known in the midst of My people Israel; neither will I suffer My holy name to be profaned any more; and the nations shall know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel.

 

8 ¶ Behold, it comes, and it shall be done, says the Lord GOD; This is the day whereof I have spoken.

9 And they that dwell in the cities of Israel shall go forth, and shall make fires of the weapons and use them as fuel, both the shields and the bucklers, the bows and the arrows, and the hand-staves, and the spears, and they shall make fires of them seven years;

10 so that they shall take no wood out of the field, neither cut down any out of the forests, for they shall make fires of the weapons; and they shall spoil those that spoiled them, and rob those that robbed them, says the Lord GOD.

11 And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will give unto Gog a place fit for burial in Israel, the valley of them that pass through on the east of the sea; and it shall stop them that pass through; and there shall they bury Gog and all his multitude; and they shall call it the valley of Hamon-gog. {That is, The multitude of Gog.}

12 And seven months shall the house of Israel be burying them, that they may cleanse the land.

13 Yea, all the people of the land shall bury them, and it shall be to them a renown; in the day that I shall be glorified, says the Lord GOD.

14 And they shall set apart men of continual employment, that shall pass through the land to bury with them that pass through those that remain upon the face of the land, to cleanse it; after the end of seven months shall they search.

15 And when they that pass through shall pass through the land, and any sees a man’s bone, then shall he set up a sign by it, till the buriers have buried it in the valley of Hamon-gog.

16 And Hamonah {That is, Multitude.} shall also be the name of a city. Thus shall they cleanse the land.

 

 

 

For an interesting description of who is God and Magog please see the following Web Page:

 

Who is Gog from the Land of Mogog?


Taken from: http://gogumogog.com/html/gog_from_the_land_of_mogog.html

 

 

For further study and commentary on this festival see:

 

http://www.betemunah.org/succoth.doc

http://www.betemunah.org/birth.doc

 

 

 

Hol HaMoed Sukkoth II - Intermediate Day of Tabernacles (2nd Day)

Tishri 18, 5768 – September 29-30, 2007

 

 

Torah:  Bemidbar (Numbers) 29:20-26

Psalm 133

N.C.     Ephesians 3:14-21

 

Torah Reading:

 

Reader 1 – Bemidbar 29:20-22

Reader 2 – Bemidbar 29:23-25

Reader 3 – Bemidbar 29:26-28

Reader 4 – Bemidbar 29:20-26

 

 

 

 

Chag Sameach Sukkoth 5768!