After the coronation of Hashem on Rosh Hashana and meriting clemency for our sins on Yom Kippur, we head into the beautiful and inspiring Yom Tov of Succos. In order to appreciate the fundamental theme of Succos we first have to quote the words of our Sages.
Moshe in his final moments addressing the nation cautions them to be attentive to the entire communication that has been delivered to them. They will soon be leaving the protective buttress of the desert. There they lived a life constantly supported by miracles.
We have a massive court case pending. It’s called Rosh Hashanah. The Talmud explains that the books of Life and Death are opened and each and every person’s entire life history of the past year is examined in great detail. Not a point is overlooked or not dealt with.
The Torah states that Moshe ‘went’ and then spoke to the nation. However, it is not clear where did Moshe go? Rav Shlomo Kluger presents a fascinating explanation which will serve us well in 2026. At the end of his life, Moshe no longer has the faculty to disseminate Torah as he had done before.
When the owner of a field brings his first ripened fruits to the Beis Hamikdash, he recites an entire litany that he has followed all the rules that pertain to tithing his produce
One of the perks of studying Torah is a glimpse into understanding life with tremendous insight and bringing to light principles that will guide us for our entire journey. This week we learn about the wayward son known as the ‘ben sorar u’morah.’
We are introduced to a very complex parsha of the corpse found between two cities. A measurement is done and the closest city is considered liable for the death of the individual. That of course in of itself is an interesting point to reflect upon but beyond that the end of the parsha has a very fascinating twist.
The end of the parsha deals with animals that we are prohibited to consume. The commentators intertwine the theme of sanctity which defines the nation with the ban against those forbidden animals. Nachmonides and others explain that the essence of the proscribed animals is antithesis to the very nature of the Jewish people.
The mitzvah to thank Hashem after a meal, specifically one of bread, is mentioned in the parsha. However, the context of this mitzvah is very puzzling. Obviously, one must thank Hashem for the meal that he has just enjoyed. But the language used in the Torah does not emphasize that theme.
Moshe provides a glimpse of the future challenges that the nation will engage. Idol worship will entice them and some will indeed fall prey to the falsehoods of emptiness that appear to be real and existent. Of course, eventually the people will awaken to their massive error and return to Hashem after many years of futility and vacuity.