|
|
|
|
| |
| Teaching of the Baal Shem Tov on Succos
|
| (From "The Path of the
Baal Shem Tov" by David Sears, Jason Aronson Inc.) |
| |
| Our master, the Baal Shem Tov, had a well-built, warm succah.
|
| Kovetz Lubavitch 5, Sichas Chol HaMoed Succos 5706 |
| |
| The Baal Shem Tov once remarked that the beauty of his succah
was [his guests]: the simple kabbalas ol ("Bearers of the Yoke of Heaven")
Jews, who cause delight Above by rejoicing in the performance of mitzvos, due
to their simple faith in God. Sichas L'eil Succos 5706, cited in Kesser Shem
Tov, Hosafos, 112 |
| |
| "In Succos you shall dwell, seven days . . ." (Vayikra 23:22).
In other words, you shall cause the Supernal Guests (Ushpizin) [through whom
the lights of the seven lower sefiros are revealed to the world]. |
| Likkutim Yekarim 31b, cited in Sefer Baal Shem Tov, Emor
8 |
| |
| Hoshanah Rabbah |
| |
| It
was the custom of the Baal Shem Tov to recite the Hoshanah supplications
immediately after Hallel. |
| Rabbenei Medzhibuzh |
| |
| Rabbi Yaacov Yitzchak, the Chozeh of Lublin, said that Eliyahu
HaNavi taught our master the Baal Shem Tov, that whoever prays with kavanah
(intention) on the three days of Hoshana Rabba, Shemini Atzeres and Simchas
Torah will be able to pray with kavanah for the entire year. Sha'ar Yissachar,
A'man Simchaseinu, 32 |
| |
| On
Hoshana Rabbah, the disciples of the Ball Shem Tov would come to him to discuss
any questions of unusual difficulty, for at that time his mind was
exceptionally lucid, and he could see "from one end of the world to the
other". |
| Notzer Chesed |
| |
| Contact Rabbi Dovid
Sears at MEOREIOHR@aol.com for comments
or information about his other work. |
| |
| Simchat Torah |
| by Rabbi Shmuel Butman |
| |
| A
custom of the Simchat Torah holiday is that of dancing with the Torah. A story
is told about the Baal Shem Tov during the dancing on Simchat Torah one year.
In a state of ecstasy, the Baal Shem Tov called out "Israel you holy people.
What is the cause of your great joy? It is our holy Torah! Do the other nations
ever rejoice while holding their sacred books? And what kind of parties do they
throw in the time of their rejoicing? And we, the Jewish people, where do you
find us in the season of our rejoicing? Inside the synagogues. And why are we
dancing and singing? In honor of the holy Torah. When are we united, as one
person with one heart? On Simchat Torah! Therefore, I say to you, Israel, my
holy people! This day is a triple joy - the joy of the Torah, the joy of the
Jewish people, and the joy of the Holy One Blessed Be He." |
| |
| United as one, with a triple joy, may we dance and sing and
march to the Redemption with Moshiach now! |
| |
| From L'Chaim, 1408
President St., Brooklyn, N.Y. 11213 |
| |
|
