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Three and 1/2 year
Lectionary Readings |
Second Year
of the |
|
Tishri 15-22, 5767 – Oct.
6-14, 2006 – Part I |
Sixth Year of
the Shemittah Cycle |
Chag Sameach Sukkoth
5767
We wish all of our
readers a most happy, blessed and joyous times over the holidays of Tabernacles
together with loved ones an daily most Distinguished guests at your Sukkah,
together with all
of most noble brethren of
Friday, October 6, 2006 Light Candles at: 6:56 PM
Eve of Second day Sukkot
Shabbat, October 7, 2006 Light Candles after: 7:49 PM
Sunday, October 8, 2006
Friday,
October 6, 2006 Light Candles at: 5:32 PM
Eve of Second day Sukkot
Shabbat,
October 7, 2006 Light Candles after: 6:26 PM
Sunday,
October 8, 2006
Friday, October
6, 2006 Light Candles at: 6:38 PM
Eve of Second
day Sukkot
Shabbat, October 7, 2006 Light
Candles after: 7:26 PM
Sunday, October
8, 2006
For other places see: http://chabad.org/calendar/candlelighting.asp
Next Shabbat: Shemini
Atzereth – Fest of the Eighth Day
Items for Study:
http://www.betemunah.org/succoth.html
http://www.betemunah.org/birth.html
http://www.betemunah.org/hoshana.html
http://www.betemunah.org/shemini.html
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Shabbat |
Torah |
Weekday Torah |
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מוֹעֲדֵי יי |
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“Moade Adonai” |
Reader
1 – Vayikra 22:26 – 23:1 |
Reader
1 – Sh’mot 34:1-3 |
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“Appointed seasons
of Ha-Shem” |
Reader
2 – Vayikra 23:1-3 |
Reader
2 – Sh’mot 34:4-7 |
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“Las fiestas solemnes de Ha-Shem” |
Reader
3 – Vayikra 23:4-8 |
Reader
3 – Sh’mot 34:1-7 |
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Vayikra (Leviticus) 22:26 –
23:44 D’varim (Deuteronomy) 28:12-16 |
Reader
4 – Vayikra 23:9-14 |
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Ashlamatah: Zekharyah 14:1-21 |
Reader
5 – Vayikra 23:15-23 |
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Reader
6 – Vayikra 23:24-32 |
Reader
1 – Sh’mot 34:8-10 |
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Ecclesiastes 1:1 – 6:12 |
Reader
7 – Vayikra 23:33-44 |
Reader
2 – Sh’mot 34:11-14 |
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|
Maftir – D’varim 28:12-16 |
Reader
3 – Sh’mot 34:8-14 |
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N.C.: Yochanan 14:1-14 |
Zechariah 14:1-21 |
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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
[
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. [
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. [
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
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
11
And men will dwell therein, and there will be no more extermination; but
12
And this will be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the peoples that
have warred against
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
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
18
And if the family of
19
This will be the punishment of
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
For further study and commentary on this festival see:
http://www.betemunah.org/succoth.html
http://www.betemunah.org/birth.html
|
Shabbat |
Torah |
Weekday
Torah |
|
מוֹעֲדֵי
יי |
|
|
|
“Moade Adonai” |
Reader
1 – Vayikra 22:26 – 23:3 |
Reader
1 – Sh’mot 34:1-3 |
|
“Appointed seasons of Ha-Shem” |
Reader
2 – Vayikra 23:4-14 |
Reader
2 – Sh’mot 34:4-7 |
|
“Las fiestas solemnes
de Ha-Shem” |
Reader
3 – Vayikra 23:15-22 |
Reader
3 – Sh’mot 34:1-7 |
|
Vayikra (Leviticus) 22:26
– 23:44 D’varim (Deuteronomy)
28:12-16 |
Reader
4 – Vayikra 23:23-31 |
|
|
Ashlamatah: 1 Kings
8:2-21 |
Reader
5 – Vayikra 23:32-44 |
Reader
1 – Sh’mot 34:8-10 |
|
Ecclesiastes 7:1 – 12:14 |
Maftir – D’varim 28:12-16 |
Reader
2 – Sh’mot 34:11-14 |
|
N.C.: Yochanan 15:1-17 |
1 Kings 8:2-21 |
Reader
3 – Sh’mot 34:8-14 |
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 [
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
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 men
who are going to receive the face of the Presence of God. 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Ashlamatah
for Sukkoth 2nd Day - I Kings 8:2-21
2
And all the men of
3
And all the elders of
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
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
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
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
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
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
Tishri 17, 5767
October 8/9, 2006
Hol HaMoed Sukkoth I
Intermediate Day of
Tabernacles (1st Day)
Torah: Bemidbar
(Numbers) 29:17-22
N.C. 1
Tsefet (Peter) 2:11-17
Torah
Reader 1 – Bemidbar 29:17-19
Reader 2 – Bemidbar 29:20-22
Reader 3 – Bemidbar 29:23-25
Reader 4 – Bemidbar 29:17-22
For instruction on this
festival see: http://www.betemunah.org/succoth.html
Tishri 18, 5767
October 9/10, 2006
Hol HaMoed Sukkoth II
Intermediate Day of
Tabernacles (2nd Day)
Torah: Bemidbar
(Numbers) 29:20-26
N.C. Ephesians
3:14-21
Torah
Reader 1 – Bemidbar 29:20-22
Reader 2 – Bemidbar 29:23-26
Reader 3 – Bemidbar 29:26-28
Reader 4 – Bemidbar 29:20-26
For instruction regarding
this festival see: http://www.betemunah.org/succoth.html
Tishri 19, 5767
October 10/11, 2006
Hol HaMoed Sukkoth III
Intermediate Day of
Tabernacles (3nd Day)
Torah: Bemidbar
(Numbers) 29:23-31
N.C. Ephesians
3:14-21
Torah
Reader 1 – Bemidbar 29:23-25
Reader 2 – Bemidbar 29:26-28
Reader 3 – Bemidbar 29:29-31
Reader 4 – Bemidbar 29:23-28
For instruction regarding
this festival see: http://www.betemunah.org/succoth.html
Tishri 20, 5767
October 11/12, 2006
Hol HaMoed Sukkoth IV
Intermediate Day of
Tabernacles (4th Day)
Torah: Bemidbar
(Numbers) 29:26-31
N.C. Colossians 3:12-17
Torah
Reader 1 – Bemidbar 29:26-28
Reader 2 – Bemidbar 29:29-31
Reader 3 – Bemidbar 29:32-34
Reader 4 – Bemidbar 29:26-31
For instruction regarding
this festival see: http://www.betemunah.org/succoth.html
Tishri 21, 5767
October 23/24, 2005
Hoshana Raba
The Great Hosanna
Torah: Bemidbar
(Numbers) 29:29-34
N.C. Matityahu
21:1-9
Torah
Reader 1 – Bemidbar 29:29-31
Reader 2 – Bemidbar 29:32-34
Reader 3 – Bemidbar 29:35-38
Reader 4 – Bemidbar 29:29-34
For instruction regarding the
meaning of this day see http://www.betemunah.org/hoshana.html ;