THEMES of Featured Chasidic Masters Articles

Unlike the nations, on Rosh Hashana the Jewish nation accepts upon itself G-d's sovereignty.

From the teachings of Rabbi Avraham Dov Auerbach of Avritch

The People of Israel fully accept the yoke of Heaven upon themselves on Rosh Hashanah. Then it is the task of the People of Israel to bring the glory of G-d's kingdom to all of creation, even to the nations of the world, through the offering of the seventy bulls on the festival of Sukkot.

Festive Elements

The Sukkot water libations quench the thirst caused by judgment.

Adapted from the works of Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi by Yossi Marcus

Throughout the year, a heavenly fire in the shape of a crouching lion would descend and consume the offerings on the altar. Today, we have neither a Temple nor an altar. In each generation we are obligated to find within our hearts the parallel of the fire that consumed the sacrifices - the oxen, rams and sheep, etc. - as well as the pouring of the water during Sukkot and the halt to all of these experiences on Shemini Atzeret.

Intermediate

The High Humble Willow

It is the humility of the willow that serves to elevate it beyond others.

By Binyomin Adilman

The Four Species represent four different types of Jews; the aravot (willow branches), which have neither taste nor fragrance, represent one who lacks both Torah and mitzvot.

At the beginning of the festival, the arava is bound together with the other species, enabling one "without taste or smell" to be become elevated through contact with those already on a higher spiritual level, until the last day when they merit a holiday of their own - Hoshanah Raba.

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Anatomy of a Hug

A Kabbalistic Perspective on the Festival of Sukkot

By Yosef Y. Jacobson

During the "days of awe," G-d's "left arm," as it were, lay under the head of the Jewish people. The left side represents in Kabbalah introspection, discipline and integrity, the primary theme of the days of awe. Sukkot, on the other hand, described in the Torah as "the time of our joy," constitutes the point during the year when "G-d's right arm embraces me."

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