CREATING JOY
Shabbos 2022-10-15 is Sukkos (no weekly parsha in the diaspora); filed under Yom Tov.
Dear Family,
I hope everyone is well.
We have just returned from the amazing Barmitzvah trip of Mendel Levy in Eretz Yisrael. It was a beautiful trip and we are most proud of everything you did Mendel! Wishing you to grow from strength to strength in everything that you do in both gashmius and ruchnius. And a big thank you to Shmuel and Rivky for organising and implementing this amazing simchah! A huge amount of work and effort has gone into enabling this rich and memorable Sukkos / Barmitzvah experience. Wishing you much nachas from Mendel and all the children!
We are now well into the Festival of Sukkot, and I saw an interesting editorial to L'Chaim weekly publication, which I would like to share.
Whereas on Jewish holidays we have a special mitzvah to REJOICE AND BE HAPPY, with the Festival of Sukkos it is even more so.
With Sukkos, Torah mentions rejoicing 3 times, and 3 is a special number in Jewish mystical Teachings, connoting permanence and strength. Ie the simcha of Sukkos is greater than all the other Festivals.
But how is it possible to command someone to rejoice? What if one is not in the mood to rejoice?
A similar question is asked about the Mitzvah of 'Loving Hashem' - And you shall love the Lord your G-d.
How is it possible to command someone on an emotion?
The Rambam guides us on how build a love for Hashem, and that is by meditating on those points that evoke a love for Hashem.
And what evokes JOY?
Singing and dancing! (or other such acts)
And this is exactly what we do during Sukkos and especially on Shemini Atzeres and Simchas Torah.
It is these ACTS OF JOY which evoke the JOY (This looks difficult to do, but is not. And it is within the reach of every Jew)
Also, this year is a year of Hakhel (once every 7 years after shmitah) where all jews came together at the Bet Hamikdash.
The Rebbe encouraged us to join in with other people throughout the year to help increase our JOY, love and fear of Hashem, and our commitment to Torah and Mitzvos
Gut Shabbos and Gut Yom Tov to all!