i didn't make this review but i got it from someone else...
TRANSCRIPT
I didn't make this review but I got it from someone else. I think that it's everything you
need to know for Moadim Advanced.
Hoshana Rabbah
o The Hoshanos are
The nature of the day
o Hoshanoh Rabboh is marked by profuse tefilloh and teshuvoh because during sukkos the world is
judged concerning water and human life depends on water. HR is invested with a certain
simliratity as YK
o The conclusion of the sealing of judgment is on hoshana rabbah
Prayer alone
o we supplicate H’ on HR thru prayer
o all that takes place on HR alludes to prayer- the hakafos, the taking of the aravah, and the guest of
the day=David. The bimah is circled seven times and after additional piutim, accompanied by the
hoshana refrain-like supplicants who have no justifiable claim but plead for help; the aravah
alludes to mans lip and mouth and it atones for the sins of speech. It has no taste or smell=like
Israel who possess no torah or mitzvos. All we have is a mouth with which we can pray. David is
the sweet singer of Israel. The psalms which he composed have been the wellsprings of prayer
for the world throughout generations.
The Aravah
o 5 aravah branches are taken and bound together. Try to find the most beautiful ones. After
hakafos, recite piyutim then the bound aravos are beaten on ground 5 times and put in a place
they wont be stepped on.
Shemini Atzeres
o The name SA is based on the pasuk: and on the eighth (shemini) day it shall be an assembly for
you (atzeres)
Unique in its sacrifice
o The additional mussof sacrifice of the day is only a single ox. This is an allusion that shemini
atzeres also contains an element of atonement. Its the final sealing of judgment
The prayer for rain
o World is judged for water on sukkos. Delay davening for rain til SA because rain on yt is a curse
so we start on SA when we’re aready back in our homes. In EY they ask for rain starting on 7 of
cheshvan so that all those who went up to Jerusalem would have time to return home before rain.
Gevuros geshamim
o We praise H’ for rain in the second bracha of amida because it speaks of the manifestations of
God’s dominion in the world: “sustains life, keeps His promise to the dead, heals the sick”.
Rainfall is another sign of Divine dominion which all humanity can perceive.
Simchas torah
o The relationship btwn SA to succos is like shvuos to pesach; on pesach we achieved physical
freedom. After 50 days until fear of Heaven was firmly implanted and we received the
Torah=shvuos. On sukkos Israel souls achieved freedom from yetzer hara-cleansed from sin on
YK. Love for H’ has been stirred and Torah accompanied by song and dance on Simchas torah.
Siyum hatorah
o Vsos habracha is read on Simchas torah and then we rejoice. Greater joy than any other since its
constant and enduring.
Customs
o Seven circles are made around the bimah with the sifrei torah. Then one aliyah goes the the Rabbi
or most distinguished person in the congregation=chasan torah. Then one person called for
portion of braishis=chasan braishis and torah reading concludes with calling someone up for
maftir = chassan maftir.
A torah which is always new
o We begin torah again the same day it was concluded to show torah is beloved to us like a new
object- not like an old command wich a person no longer treasures.
Isru Chag
o The day following shalosh regalim have festive character. “bind the festival with thick cords to the
horns of the alter”; bind the fest.=add a day, with thick cords=with fattened animals for feast, to
the horns of the altar= the virtue of adding this day is a meritorious as sacrifices offered on the
altar
(215)Rosh Chodesh
o Originally affixed by
o
A law unto Moshe from Sinai
o The calculations Hillel used to establish the calander were an ancient tradition passed down from
times of Moshe. Used to be done thru testimony since it’s a mitzvah to sanctify based on
testimony of witnesses while theres Sanhedrin. The calculations helped them ascertain wheter
the witnesses had grounds for making a mistake if their testimony was shown to be inaccurate.
The first sanctification
o Rosh chodesh was first mitzvah since its sanctity is the foundation for all the holidays which
distinguish Israel from the life of any other pp.
o This month shall be the first of months FOR YOU: this implies that until now the sanctification of
the month was in H’s hands now its in BNY since its up to the witnesses.
This month shall be for you
o Just like the month is thirty days H’ hinted that Bny kingdom wouldn’t set for 30 generations. On
the first day of month moon begins to give light which grows stronger til 15 and then from 15 to
30 it wanes and on 30 cant be seen anymore. Same true of Israel: 15 generations from Avraham
to Shlomo. When shlomo reigned, Israel light was at its fullest and then kings continuously
diminished until Tzidkiyaho.
o Capacity for renewal distinguishes Israel, other nations ascend ladder of history until reach a
certain height, fall and disappear.
Working on RC
o No prohibition to work. More incumbent upon women since the women refused to give jewelry
for chet haagel. H’ rewarded them by granting them a greater degree of observance on RC. And
He rewards them in olam habnaa by giving power of constant renewal which characterizes RC.
The observance of RC
o It’s a mitzvah to eat more elaborate meals on RC, hallel is recited, yaala viyavo is said in place of
sacrifices, and we wear special clothing
o one doesn’t hafta repeat shemona esrei if forgot yala viyavo at night since the beis din sanctified
RC during the day
The torah reading and mussaf
o During the weekday,
o When theres 2 days of RC theres no difference.
The calculation of the molad
o The calculation of the Jewish calendar isnt based solely on cycle of sun or moon since theres an
annual discrepancy of 10 days, 21 hours 6 minutes and 45 seconds btwn lunar and solar years
and the counting of the months wouldn’t match appearance of moon
o To solve this problem theres halacha lemoshe misinai=leap years
Two days of RC
o In the times of the beis din: after the 29th
day, on the evening of the 30th
, the pp would celebrate
and beis din would wait for witnesses thru the night and the next day. If no witnesses came then
the next day would also be RC.
RC and the pp of Israel
o The nations of the world are compared to the sun and BNY are compared to the moon. The sun
rules by day but not at night, so too does esav have a portion in this world but not in the next.
Yaakov counts by moon whis is smool; just as moon rules both day and night, Israel has portion
in this world and the next. As long as great light shines, lesser light isn’t seen but when great
light sets, lesser light shines.
Yom Kuppur Katan
o We observe YK katan on erev RC because RC is considered a day of atonement for the sins of the
preceding months, cant fast on RC so fast on erev RC.
Chanuka
o Chanuka begins on 25 of kislev for 8 days; Greeks defiled all oil, they issued harsh decrees,
outlawed religious practices: torah and mitzvos. Stole money and daughters and defiled all that
was pure in BHMK. The Hashmonaim prevailed, one jar found with seal; chanu ka they rested
on the 25th
. We fulfill the obligation of thanksgiving by reciting al hanisim.
What may be used for lighting the chanuka lights
o Should use pure olive oil and wicks of cotton for the resulting light is pure and clear. It also
commemorates the menorah in BHMK which was lit w olive oil. However, anything can be used
if it gives steady rather than flickering light. The menorah should be attractive and made of metal
or glass polished clean. Earthenware can be used when new since old its unclean and ugly.
How the chanukah lights are lit
o Start lighting from the right. We light the additional light first to show that the enormity of the
miracle increased on each successive night.
o 1)lihadlik ner shel chanuka 2)sheasa nissim 3)shehecheyanu (on the first)
o We light the shamash so that any benefit derived is considered from the shamash rather than other
lights.
o Entire family gathers so that miracle being commerated will be publicized
Where they are lit
o The chanuka lights should be lit at entrance to house facing the street. Left
side of entrance (mezuzah on right) . custom of recent generations is to place
lights in window facing street- not in middle of room so that the miracle is
publicized.
When they are lit
o Should be lit when stars appear, if didn’t, can light thru the remainder of the
night if household members are still awake. If everyone sleeping, w/o a
bracha.
o Lights should burn for at least a half hour.
o On Friday, light before shab candles- make sure enuf oil for at least a half
hour after stars appear and MS, some light after and some before. Follow
minhag.
Who is obligated to light
o Both men and women and child who has reached 9 unless someone does it on
his behalf.
o In shul, lights are placed on southern wall in commemoration of the menorah
in BHMK that was at southern side.
o When a few pp are lighting, make sufficient spaces so number of lights of
each person are distinguishable
o Take special care of this mitzvah in order to publicize the miracle and increase
praise to H’ and thanksgiving for the miracles He performed for us.
o Is someone doesn’t have neuf money he should borrow/sell his coat. If he
doesn’t have money for both wine for Kiddush and oil, buy oil.
Additional laws pertaining to chanuka
o Hallel is recited, al hanisim in SE and bentching.
o Work is permitted but eulogies and fasting are prohibited. If a scholar dies, he
may be eulogized.
Customs pertaining to chanuka
o Women refrain from work while candles are burning because Greeks had
ordained that every girl who was to be married was to be brought first to the
Greek ruler-daughter of Yochanan KG was brought, fed him cheese and wine
and chopped off his head-that’s why we eat milchig foods. And we eat oily
jars to commemorate sealed jar of oil.
o Meals eaten can be made seudas mitva with special atmosphere of rejoicing,
by discussing torah themes and recounting miracles performed to Israel.
o Customary to focus public concern on education- root of word ‘chanuka’
education and inauguration and essence of Jewish ed is teaching Torah to
children which leads to tradition of giving chanuka gelt “These gifts are given
to you today so that you will accept yoke of Torah forever”.
o Tradition of dreidel also relates to this- relax tonight and spend your hours
happily so that you can accept the yoke of torah and the exertion required for
fulfillment of mitzvos after Chanukah.
An auspicious day for inauguration and greatness
o The 25th
of kislev had aready been prepared for greatness from times of
Moshe and Chaggai. On the 25th
, the work for mishkan was completed but
was unassembled til first of nisan cuz that’s when Yitzchak was born- because
kislev forfeited the honor, H’ compensated with inauguration of
chashmonaim.
o The foundation for second BHMK was laid on 24th
kislev- that night-25th
-
they celebrated
Allusions from torah for festival of chanuka
o In p’ emor the torah recounts all special days:shab, pesach, shvuos, RH, YK,
sukkos, and is immediately followed by commandment to maintain eternal
light in Sancturay-alluding to future time when lighting will be celebrated in
an annual festival – after succos.
Why chanuka is observed for eight days
o Chanuka is observed for 8 days because:
they divided jar into 8 parts –that little amount was enuf to burn the
entire night
alternatively, all oil poured into menorah and after burning all night
was still filled w oil
the first day celebrated victory of war and the next seven to commerate
nes of oil
Greeks forbade bris milah-when chashmonaim won they rejoiced over
renewal of curcumsision- takes place on 8th
day
The jar itself absorbed some oil; hadn’t been enuf for even 1 day!
They lit the first day knowing there wouldn’t be enuf to continue
Purity in the midst of defilement
o Jews waited 7 dyas in order to make pure oil rather than immediately lighting
with impure oil because it was the first lighting of the menorah after a period
of interruption. As an acti of dedication, it was only right that it be performed
in accordance with the most stringent requirements.
Why the Talmud recounts only the miracle of the oil
o The Greeks prohibited shabbos, RC, and bris milah.
o The oil that burned for 8 days illuminates Israel in the darkest hours. Thru its
glow, the sanctity of Israel and her unique identity is preserved. Its this
miracle which endures thru the generations and finds expression in every agfe.
Not ever generation is deemed worthy of military success, therefore, the
commemoration of chanuka relates solely to lights of menorah.
The Chanukah lights are beloved
o The chanuka lights are beloved since they serve as a memorial for the
menorah in the BHMK. H’ cherishes this testimony which shows that we
cleave to Him. It’s the recognition that H’ desires our action that sets us apart
from and above the other nations and this is what the Greeks sought to uproot.
The divine judgment shows no favor
o The chashmonim were struck down harshly killing them all and destroying all
remnants of their seed since they took the kingship for themselves rather than
leaving it to house of David.
The battle btwn purity and impurity
o The Greek culture was the reality of man’s prowess, the beauty of man’s taste,
and the reliability of amn’s intellect. The Greeks wanted to impose this spirit
of their cutlture on the Jews in order to make them believe in what they
believed in. When the chashmonaim saw that the roots of this defilement were
taking hold of the pp they declared war since Israel had been entrused with
preserving purity and sanctity in the material world.
The dominion of Greece
o At the behest of one of Alexander’s successors-talmai- they translated the
Torah into Greek
o The conflict btwn Yehuda and Greece was not based on a struggle for power-
rather it was a conflict based on diverse spiritual values.
When beauty turns to ugliness
o When the beauty of Yefes resides within the tents of Shem and serves it, then
its genuine, however, when a maidservant seeks to replace her mistress (when
Yefes attempts to make the tents of Shem subservient- theres nothing more
ugly.
o The Greeks wanted to nullify shab, RC and bris mila cuz shab is showing that
the world has a Creator and the Greeks declared that theyre the masters. RC
shows that H’ controls time. And Bris mila shows that both body and sould
are hewn from one source.
Hellenism
o First the Greeks thought theyd rule the Jews by being nice, giving them impt
positions in the state and BHMK=won over the simple-minded pp = Hellenists
and they assimilated willingly. They influenced some pp to join but most Jews
remained steadfast in their belief.
o The Jews were forced to go to war against King Antiochus because when he
saw that the Hellenists weren’t being successful he killed tens of thousands of
pp and the Hellenists turned pp over and defiled the BHMK and sacrificed a
pig whose blood was brought to KK.
The miracle of the rebellion
o The women, after giving birth to a son, would wait til the 8th
day, circumcise
him and take the baby to the walls of Jerusalem, slimb up and hurl herself and
the baby from the world to certain death, thereby saying to her husband, and
those hidng from war that they wouldn’t have wives or children so come sacve
us and battle enemy.= this forced mattisyahu and his 5 sons to go to war.
o The new menorah was made of iron and tin
Measure for measure
o The victory against the Greeks teach that H’ gives victory to the righteous not
the strong- the chashmonaim
o The Greeks are compared to darkness since they darkened the eyes of Israel
The diff btwn chanuka and purim
o By Hamans decree the Jews davened and fasted and to the Greeks decree the
Jews fought since Haman sought to PHYSICALLY annihilate us while the
Greeks wanted to annihilate us spiritually. It’s our job to protect the Torah and
it’s up to Hashem to protect us physically.
o We celebrate chanuka with lights and Purim with feasting since chanuka was
to save the light of H’ and physical salvation was secondary-we kindle lights.
On purim we celebrate our physical deliverance=since thru feasting and
rejoicing we show our aim of saving our lives by God was achieved.
Insights into chanuka
o We cant have benefit from chanuka lights since they commemorate the lights
in the BHMK where no personal benefit was allowed to be derived.
o We say the bracha on the lights “in those days at THIS time since a day of
salvation is fixed as a festival only if the act of salvation opened the Gates of
Divine mercy so that Divine mercy flows forth on that day throughout the
generations
o Chazal only established Chanukah as an annyal YT in the year following the
miracles since the period in which the miracles occurred was after the
cessation of nevuah and the Sages were wary of creating a new YT. They
feared that its impression might not be noticeable in the following year. But
the next year they saw the light of these days were still bright and they felt
true freedom and desire to praise H’ so they established the YT.
o We recite Hallel for the miracle of lights which was totally spiritual and al
hanissim is recited for the miracle of our victory and physical salvation.
Zos hcanuka
o The last day of chanuka is referred to as Zos Chanukah since the torah portion
on this day concludes with “zos chanukas hamizbeich”
o It alludes to the essence of Chanukah= the sages interepret it allegorically- zos
chanuka- this is the 8th
day. The mumber 8 alludes to eternity-to those things
that aren’t constrained by time. The number seven alludes to things that are
time bound-the days of the week.
Chanuka and purim
o Chanuka and purim will never be annulled since they were earned thru our
own good deeds-thru willingness to sacrifice ourselves for purity of faith on
Chanuka and accepting Torah on Purim.
SHEVAT
The four parshiyos
o The four special shabbosos that have special leining and the maftir that’s
leined on each:
Shekalim=we read form ki sisa about half shekel
Zachor= read from ki setze about amelek
Parshas para= we read from chukkas about para aduma
Parshas hachodesh=we read from p’ bo about rosh chodesh
Parshas shekalim
o The half shekel was used to purchiase animals for the community sacrifice.
Everyone was obligated to give and it had to be given by RC nisan.
o Shekolim was read on shab before adar or on RC if fell on shab since talks
about half shekel and reminded pp to give it.
o Its read today since the reading of it is as if we fulfilled the mitzva
Providing the remedy before the blow
Shekalim is read before zachor since in the merit of the fulfillment of the mitzvah of half shekel,
we merit the ability to wipe out Amalek=H’ commanded Israel to give half shekel to protect her
soul; by fulfilling this mitzvah she inoculates herself against the potential thread of amalek-
providing the remedy before the blow.
ADAR
Parshas Zachor
o Read the shab before Purim because it’s a mitzva remember what amoleik did
to us, harbor enmity to amaleik in our hearts and obliterate ameaiks offspring
and his memory= and haman was his descendant.
o The shabbos is called shab zachor because of the maftir=zachor
o Women are not obligated to hear it since the obligation of waging war to
obliterate all remnants of amalek is for men alone. Some say women are
obligated to hear sine the dispensation of women waging war applies to
voluntary wars and not a war that’s a mitzva
Amalek/Amalek’s hatred for Israel
o Amalek was grandson of esav, son of elifaz. Esav taught amalek “how I have
strived to kill yakov but I have not succeeded, resolve to exact vengeanance
for me!” “when you see them stumble, attack them!”
o This hatred differs from that of other nations since while the animosity of
other nations occasionally subsides, amaleks hatred is unrelenting and they
constantly plan our destruction. They are unwilling to be placated thru any
means. Amalek doesn’t flinch or hesitate when they see the hand of H’
punishing them. Their very essence is hatred for Israel even if they have
nothing to gain from them.
The first among nations
o Amalek was the first among nations to wage war against Israel. Until Amelek,
no nation dared attack Israel. After all the nissim H’ performed they knew
their actions would cause them to be eternally uprooted from the world,
therefore, we must mete out Amale, measure for measure. Hatred brought
them to the point where they were prepared to commit suicide to destroy and
hate us.
The source of Amalek’s power
o Refidim- bny were weak since they stopped occupying themselves with torah.
Therefore the enemies were able to attack them.
Idolatry in the camp of Israel
o Amaleik has the power to attack if there are idols among the nation=let the
idols come and save you!
A day of mobilization
o We fast taanis esther (13th
adar) in commemoration of the fast observed by
mordechai, esther and all BNY. At the time of haman they fasted since they
were faced with war.
o Its called taanis esther since she had first requested that all the pp fast.
The half-shekel
o Customary to give three half-coins to give to the poor in memory of the half
shekel given by Israel when the BHMK stood and whose forthcoming
collection was announced on RC adar.
o We give it on the 13th
or 14th
of adar since everyone gathers to hear the
megilla
The days of purim
o In different cities different days were established as purim since in all cities
the battle was on 13th
and they celebrated on 14th
. In shushan, the battle was
the 13th
and 14th
and they celebrated the 15th
o The condition that determines which city is cleberated is those cities that had a
wall during the time of Yehoshua bin nun.
o These two days of purim are called: on the 14th
: Purim of the open and the
15th
-Purim of the walled (major cities)
o Apart from shushan, the only city that celebrates purim on the 15th
is
Jerusalem
The observance of the day
o Four citzvos the sanhedrin nad neviem prescribe for purim:megilla, mishte,
matanos lievyonim, and mishloach manos
o Additional halachos chazal later prescribed reading part of bishalach about
amalek.
o Hallel isn’t recited since the megilla is a form of hallel to H’. some say we
don’t say it since the miracle took place out of EY.
o Work, hespedim and fasting: work is improper yet not forbidden. Hesptedim
and fasting is prohibited
The three day purim
o The four mitzvos not fulfilled on shab in walled cities since: megilla might
come to be carried. We don’t eat the seudah since we shouldn’t mix one
celebration (shab) with another. Cant give mishloach manos and money to
poor also cuz of carrying.
The reading of the megilla
o The megillah is read at night and during the day. Mitzvah for both men and
women. Preferable in shul since “The King’s Glory is manifested in the
multitude.”
o Fulfill the mitzvah by hearing the megilla read since its like reading it oneself.
o We recite 4 psukim outloud to intensify the joy and keep children from falling
asleep so that the story will enter their hearts.
The blessings recited on the megilla
o the person whos saying the brachos should have in mind to include those that
are listening and the person that’s listening should have in mind to be included
with the baal korei.
o when hearing shehechayanu in the morning intend to apply it to the other
mitzvos of purim as well
From the commentaries of the sages on megillas esther
o Only the common pp participated in the feast of Achashveirosh
o The elders of the community heard about the fesast and fled.
o Haman conviced achashverosh to agree to annihilate the Jews: he said that
theyre scattered and have different beliefs. They don’t fulfill laws of the king.
Achashverosh said he’s afraid of H’. Haman said they lack merit for H’ to
save them. He also told achashveirosh if fly in wine just rmove it but if you
would touch it theyd throw it out!
o Haman gave 10,000 kikar of silver to achashverosh because the entire merit of
the Jews is that they each gave half shekel to support the mishkan. I will give
equivalent to all the half shekels that 600,000 donated throughout their lives.
Let my shekels come and annul the power of theirs.
o The Jews of shushan fasted the 13th
14th
and 15th
of nisan to beg H’ to annul
the decree
o Reasons why Esther invited Haman to her feast w achashveirosh was: she
wanted to ensure that Haman didn’t plot to overthrow the king; she wanted to
ensure that no one suspected her of being Jewish; she wanted to ensure that
the Jews didn’t become overconfident and say “we have a sister in the royal
household”; and she wanted him to be in her presence so she could find a way
to trap him in the kings presence.
Mordechai’s prayer
o Mordechai didn’t bow to haman since he had so much awe for H’ that he
didn’t wanna prostrate himself before anyone but H’.
The cries of the lambs
o Haman chained up the children and they cried and wept until their tears
ascended to the Heavens. H’ heard their cried and His mercy was awakened,
He rose from His seat of judgment and sat on His seat of mercy
Esthers prayer
o Esther dressed in sackcloth, spread ashes and dust on her hair and fasted and
prayed to H’. on the third day of the fast, Esther put on her finest clothing and
jewelry and accompanied by 2 of her maidservants she entered the inner
courtyard.
Zereshes advice
o Haman asked zereshes advice cuz none could offer him advice like zeresh,
even tho he had 365 advisors! She said cant kill by furnace, lions den, prison,
iron box and light fire underneath, exile to desret since these all happened and
were withstood. Rather hang since no one was ever hanged!
The king couldn’t sleep
o No one was capable of sleep that night. Esther was preparing the feast,
mordechai was in his sackcloth fasting nad haman was busy with the scaffold.
H’ told the angel in charge of sleep: my children are in trouble and
achashverosh sleeps soundly=go disturb him! So the malech went down and
beat on achashveroshs heart saying: ingrate! Go and repay the one to whom is
due.
o Achash. Thought since haman was invited to the party they were plotting to
kill him. So why was no one warning him? Therefore he thought that maybe
he didn’t repay someones good deed and asked for the sefer hazichronos.
Achashverosh’s dream and interpretation
o Achash. Became angry at haman because he suggested to let the one being
honored wear the crown and then he said which mordechai… which
mordechai the jew..
o Haman was humiliated before mordechai and all the pp by leading mordechai
on the horse
o Mordechai didn’t bow to haman since haman hung an idol from his chest
o The Jews didn’t take from the spoils of the war w amalek since those who
were slain were descendents of amalek and any manner of benefit is
prohibited.
o The Jews affirmed and accepted: if they affirmed, they obviously accepted!
They affirmed what they had previously accepted = they now voluntarly
reaffirmed the acceptance of the Torah which had been forcibly affirmed by
Har Sina8i
Feasting and rejoicing
o The meal should be held during the day=early afternoon extended to night
o Should drink wine on purim since the miracle of Purim is linked with
wine=vashti’s downfall occurred at a fest of wine and esther took her place.
Hamans downfall occurred at the feast of wine that esther made. Should drink
wine until the pint of intoxicaition-til cant differentiate btwn cursed is haman
and blessed is Mordechai.
o Pp eat vegetables in commemoration of the fact that esther ate veg. when she
was in the kings palace since she didn’t wanna eat non kosher food.
o Should more importantly elaborate on matanos lievyonim than shalach manos/
mishte
o We have the meal in the afternoon and not in morning since pp are busy with
exchanging shalach manos.
Significance of festive purim meal
o Jews are holy physically and spiritually so its fitting that physical actions be
imbued with holiness and that they be performed to sanctify H’s name.
o The mitzvah to eat a seudah signifies that Israel has rectified the sin of
participating in the feast of achash.
Until he cant differentiate
o The two major sins the Jews committed making them deservant of destruction;
they prostrated themselves to nevuchadnetzars idol and they participated in
achashveiroshes feast
o Becoming intoxicated shows faith in H’. even if we cant differentiate btwn
things that are abundantly clear, we still know that we wont lack salvation
since we place our trust in God alone. Whether sober or inebriated, we fear no
evil, for You are with us forever
Why we wear disguises on Purim
o We dress up on purim to show that even tho we we sometimes sin and act like
other nations, this is no more than an outward manifestation. Inherently, we
remain faithful to H’. this was true of the Jews of that generation; their
worship of Nevuchadnetzar’s idol was only a disguise and they remained
faithful to H’ in their hearts.
Gifts for the poor
o Give two gifts to two poor people on Purim. One gift to each person. Even a
poor person is obligated.
o The gift should be substantial, sufficient for at least one meal.
o Should be given during the day of Purim rather than at night. Early enough
that the poor person can benefit from them on Purim. Women also obligated.
Exchanging gifts of food btwn friends
o Send a gift of at least two items of food to another person.
o Obligation for both men and women and fulfilled during the day.
o Must give food that’s prepared and they should be substantial to convey a
feeling of respect. And should be delivered by a third party.
o More preferable to be more generous in gifts to the poor
Love and unity
o When there is an inner unity among Jews even the wrongdoers among them
become righteous. Therefore Esther told Mordechai to “gather all the Jews”.
Hence, the mitzvos of purim protect us agains haman’s power-matanos
lievyonim/shalach manos
Purim allusions
o Purim is like pesach-we emerged to freedom
o Purim like shavuos-we accepted Torah again on Purim
o Purim like RH- the book of living and dead were opened
o Purim like sukkos-sukkos commemorates protection by Divine cloud, so too
many non-Jews enter under protecting wings of Shechina during purim
(gentiles that converted to Judaism.)
YK-like Purim
o On YK ascend to lever whereby we transcend the constraints of nature by
denying physical satisfaction to achieve atonement. On purim the same level
of holiness is achieved thru eating and drinking- even man’s physical
pleasures become imbued with holiness.
Parshas Parah
o This Parsha is read before Nissan to remind those who became ritually impure
w contact w a corpse, to purify themselves so that they could offer the pesach
sacrifice at the proper time.
o NISSAN
Parshas hachodesh
o On Parshas Hachodesh the torah portion that’s read is “this month shall be the
first of months for you” (shemos 12:2)
Public esteem
o We read this because of the importance of the month of Nissan which is the
king of all months. Since this months significance is greater we announce its
commencement thru special readings. And used to remind pp to start
preparing for the travel to Yerushalyim
Month that is redemption
o Since BNY were enslaved they were able to actually feel real freedom.
Someone who doesn’t suffer from oppression of bondage cant fully appreciate
freedom.
o Things happened in nisan that made it predestined for geuala: Yitzchak born,
bound to altar, Yaakov received brachos from Yitzchak. And also in nisan, H’
hinted to BNY that it would be beginning of redemption: it’s the beginning of
months of the year, fortunate is the nation whos God is H’!
Natural order is suspended
o The purpse of the galus and miraculous geula was to make it clear to Israel
and to the world that the entire universal order and every power there is in the
world is bound by the will of H’ and exists for the sake of His chosen pp.
o Israel differs from other nationssince for their sake, H’ made changes in His
world to redeem them. Also, He instilled within them the ability to transcend
the natural order to utilize this ability constantly.
Month of nisan
o H’ commanded a lamb to be taken as a sacrifice since it was a symbol to the
nations of the world, especially mitzrim, for this month. Ashtaros connctes
offspring of sheap and increase in flock, resembles the word for wealth-osher
since it brings owner great wealth.
Kimcha dpischa
o During first few days of nisan funds are solicited from the members of
community. Each person gives accordeing to his ability and money goes to
feed poor for pesach.
o Every member is required to give. All needy have right to receive.
Shabbos Hagadol
o The shab before pesach
o Called this way cuz 5 days before redemption, BNY were given the first
mitzva which applied only to that shab. On the tenth of the month take a lamb
for each home to prepare for karbon pesach.
Remembering the miracle on shab rather than on tenth of nisan
o Since the miracle is closely connected to shab. The mitzrim knew bny didn’t
take care of animals on shab so when they saw they investigated and bny were
saved by a miracle.
o If it wouldn’t have been shab bny wouldn’t have needed a miracle to save
them
o Miriam died on the tenth of Nissan-we don’t wna celebrate miracles on that
day.
Other customs of shab hagadol
o We read part of the hagada since the redemption began on shab hagadol. Also
to familiarize the children with contents of hagada
o Customary for Rav to address congregation to teach pp ways of H’ and
instruct them in halachos of pesach.
Removing chametz
o Time for removing chametz begins thirty days before but chazal decreed
mitzva shud be perform night before. Eve of 14th
Nissan.
o If one fails to do so he has transgressed the positive precept.
Search for chametz and its nullification
o We remove chametz rather than nullify it in our minds so that we shouldn’t
come to see it or have it in our possession on Pesach
o After searching and removing chomitz, renounce ownership since something
might have been overlooked.
The time for the search
o The search is in the evening since that’s when everyones home and because
cant search effectively in the corners by daylight
o Half hour before stars appear, one shouldn’t do work or eat until he searhed
for chametz. Should even postpone learning Torah.
The bracha recited on the search
o In the bracha it says “…and commanded us to destroy chametz.” Lashon of
destroy since the search is considered the beginning of mitzva to destroy
chametz. Bracha also pertains to burning of chametz next morning.
Selling chametz
o Can sell chametz to a non Jew if losing it will cause a considerable financial
loss.
o Chametz should be stored in a special place which is rented to the non Jew
who has purchased it so that it becomes his property til after pesach.
o Intent of seller should be that its sold and no longer his.
Chametz and its prohibitions
o Chametz is any flour from the 5 species that’s mixed w water and allowed to
ferment before baking
o Time necessary to become chametz is 18 minutes
o If chametz became mixed into food before pesach then if its 1/60 its fine
however on pesach its assur even if its 1/1000
o Chametz becomes assur on erev pesach from midday from the beginning of
the seventh hour. Chazal said it starts beginning of 6th
hour to prevent
transgression. It was further decreed not to eat beginning from 5th
hour in case
its cloudy and cant tell correct time.
o Someone who eats chometz incurs the penalty of kares.
o If chometz remained in someones possession over pesach no benefit may be
derived from it.
The great care and strictness regarding the prohibition of chametz
o God-fearing Jews who are eager to observe the mitzva accepted chumros upon
themselves so there shouldn’t be the slightest possibility of transgression. One
shouldn’t ridicule a stringency which one community accepted upon titself
since customs of Israel are considered Torah.
Preparing vessels for use on pesach
o Special pots and dishes are used on pesach since they may have absorbed
chametz which will be emitted on pesach.
Matza shemurah and regular matzah
o The matza must be guarded to ensure that it doesn’t become chametz. From
the time its taken to the mill to be grounded to flour its kept under strict
supervision to make sure it doesn’t come in contact with water or moisture.
Kitniyos
o Pp don’t eat kitniyos since it can be gournd to flour which could be baked and
pp can think theyre from grain.
Soaking matza in water
o It shouldn’t be abolished since some pp have followed it for so long
Chametz and matza
o Chametz and yeast allude to pride and haughtiness therefore the most minute
particle is fofrbidden on pesacch since these traits are harmful to ones
character.
o Chametz and matza have the same Hebrew letters except for h’ and ch’ and
the difference is a tiny line! Matza can change to chametz in a fraction of a
moment where a person does nothing.
o Chametz is a symbol to the yetzer hara so the search for it and its removal is
symbolic of mans struggle to conquer the yetzer hara. Chametz tastes better
than matza and is more pleasing in appearance and greater in size. Also YHR
attracts pp to pleasures of the world.
o Removing chametz and slaughtering lamb protected bny. Mitzrayim were
haughty and stuck up and by getting rid of chametz – the overblown arrogance
of the nation of overlords had been disposed of and the sheep (god of mitzrim)
was slaughtered. Now they were ready to leave.
Preparation for reading hagada
o Must remove chametz in ones heart to properly celebrate pesach since his
thoughts and heart are his home and property and when ones heart is full of
chametz- pride- he sees himself as impt and he can’t properly celebrate
pesach. His children wont accept what he’s telling them unless he’s sincere.
Fast of firstborn
o This fast commemorates the miracle which spared the firstborn Jewish sons
from makas bichoros.
o On 14th
of Nissan since 15th
is aready pesach and don’t fast on Festivals.
Preparing for seder
o Show respect and delight by having hair cut, wearing nice clothes and
preparing best possible food. Decorate and adorn to beautify the seder.
Prepare in advance so can start right away.
Correct time for seder
o Cant make Kiddush or eat matza before nightfall.
Preparations for seder
o Need wine, matza, seder plate, salt water, candles for lighting, wine cup for pp
and Eliyahu.
o Use best wine that one can afford but not too strong. Better to use red.
o Shmura matza is best. Many pp use matza baked on erev pesach for seder.
o Zeroah should be prepared during day since cant roast meat at night since cant
eat roast meat at seder cuz its like karbon pesach.
o The bone symbolizes karbon pesach and the egg symbolized karban chaggiga.
Night when festival is sanctified
o All creatures sing “Halleluka avdei H’…”but we cant hear it .
o We should prepare our hearts and minds for the seder. When one frees his
heart and mind of evil thoughts then his ears will be able to discern the song of
the special night and his body and soul will join together to extol the living
God.
o Dress in royalty. Its import to begin seder in a happy mood, for the soul is
uplifted and the heart sings only when one is in a good frame of mind.
Wearing white garments
o Leader of seder wears white kittel-kittle is like shrouds and serves to remind
one of the futility of vanity and pride.
Order of seder
o Shouldn’t ‘bundle’ mitzvos, rather each mitzva should be performed
separately, in the proper order at the proper time. Therefore theres an
established order that shouldn’t be changed.
Mitzvos of seder applicable in our times
o Two mitzvos deoraisa on seder night: eating matza and telling over story of
yetziyas mitzrayim
o Two mitzvos derabanan: maror and drinking 4 cups of wine.
o The hagada must be told to his son, if no son whoever shares the table and if
by himself has to say it to himself.
o Eating marar isn’t a torah requirement today since the Torah obligated us to
eat it with karbon pesach.
o The purpose of the minhogim and practices of seder night serve to remind us
of the servitude that preceded our redemption and the fact that it was H’ Who
redeemed us.
Rules for conducting the seder
o A person should perform mitzvos one at a time… not in bundles so intersperse
the 4 cups.
o We don’t begin hagada right after Kiddush to prompt children to as questions
about the unusual ceremonies.
o The afikoman is eaten at the end of the meal so that the taste of the matza
remains with us.
Brief summary of the seder
o Explanation of all parts of the seder…
Kiddush
o When saying shehecheyanu have in mind to apply it to all mitzvos of the
night: hagada/matza/maror/wine.
Reclining
o When drinking the wine, eating matza, korech, and afikomin we recline.
o Acc. To Rambam we recline as a sign of freedom-in the maner kings and impt
pp eat.
o Don’t recline by maror and karpas since its meant to commemorate how the
Egyptians embittered our lives
o The person leading the seder doesn’t pour his own wine demonstrating that
we’re free and noble.
Four cups
o Every person is obligated to drink 4 cups for we wre all redeemed from Egypt.
o Acc. to R’ Yochanan, the mitzva of 4 cups symbolizes 4 expressions of
redemption.
Red wine
o Red wine reminds us of the blood of circumcision and the blood of karbon
pesach since bny was told before leaving Egypt: circumcise your males then
come to offer karban pesach.
(600)Three matzos
o Breaking middle matza in half symbolizes __________ poverty?
Haste
o Matza alludes to both golus and geuloh-its made in great haste and doesn’t
have time to rise. When they were slaves they had to prepare food in great
haste and couldn’t wait for it to rise and the same when they were freed and
running out of mitzrayim!
o Impt to remember golus when recalling geula. Enjoy freedom but remember
that you were slaves and H’ saved you.
o Highest form of freedom is to be servants to H’.
Maror and charoses
o Maror symbolizes the bitterness of our servitude-both men and women
required to eat a kazayis
o Preferably use lettuce since its like our slavery-starts off sweet then turns
bitter
o Dipped into charoses to counteract the harmful substance in maror
o Charoses symbolizes apple trees under which the women gave birth
concealing their pain so they the Egyptians shouldn’t detect them.
o Try to experience the bitterness and sweetness of exile-if one relies on pharoh
and mitzrim then even freedom is bitter, yet, if one relies on H’ then even
bitterness turns sweet and slavery becomes redemption
Karpas
o We ate karpas to make children curious an;d so we don’t need to make a
bracha on maror since maror symbolizes bitterness
o Karpas has letters samach and perach symbolizing the sixty (samach)
multitudes who were enslaved in mitzrayim
Korech
o Sandwich in commemoration of Hillel
The afikoman
o Should be eaten before chatzos since it commemorates the karbon pesach
which could be eaten only until the middle of the night.
o Korbon pesach was eaten after the korbon chagiga so that they shouldn’t break
the bones of the karbon pesach from hunger.. they should first be satisfied.
o The karbon pesach was eaten last so the taste remained in the mouth – so too
we eat the afikoman last.
The order of the hagada
o The original mitzva of relating the geuolah wasn’t from a set hagada. Until the
first BHMK, the story was told by each father to his son in the form that he
saw fit according to the childs understanding.
o Antchei knesses hagidola set a fixed haggada
o The hagada changed after the churben bayis sheni because of certain changing
circumstances. For ex “on all nights we eat roasted or boiled meat.. on this
night roasted.” Since no more karbon pesach changed to “all other nights
reclining/sitting”
Begin with denigration and conclude w praise
o Derogatory and praiseworthy parts of our history that must be recounted in the
hagada: our lowly state before we left mitzrayim and the elevated status to
which we rose when we departed. We are required to recount that at first we
were idol worshippers and now, when we left mitzrayim, H’ drew us near to
His service. (Rav)
o We recount that we were slaves to Pharaoh and tha now we are free because
H’ took us out (Shemuel)
o Four diff types of sons: wicked, incapable of asking, simple, and wise.
Overview of hagada
o Arouse children’s curiosity : say Kiddush, no meal follows; wash our hands,
not in prep for the meal; split matza; don’t eat them, cover again;
o Learn from inciden in BB abt obligation reciting hagada- 5 sages who knew
every aspect of the torah sat together relating the story-and the night wasn’t
long enough for them to finish
o Ancestors were refined
o Acc to rabban gamliel 3 things person must speak abt to fulfill obligation
o Karban pesach reminds us that H’ passed over the homes of oru fathers.
o Matzah commemorates that oru ancestors dough didn’t have time to rise
before H’ appeared and redeemed them.
o Jews couldn’t stay another moment in mitzrayim or the wicked son and those
that speak like him would’ve become so assimilated they would’ve sunk
deeply into the mire of Egypt.
o Jews did s.t to make H make the mitriyim hate and oppress them:
o First ones to sing hallel were Jews that left mitzrayim.€
o Hallel is recited only after recounting story of slavery and geulah
o We interrupt hallel with the meal-the seder meal isn’t an ordinary repast but is
itself a song of praise to H’. so the first part of Hallel, seder meal and
concluding sections of hallel should be as an extended praise of H’.
Hagada in any language
o Hagada should be related in language that women and children understand
Shir ha shirim
o Customary to read SS on the first night after seder.
o Its read on shab chol hamoed
Parable of the lovers
o SS is a mashal for the love of H’ towards BNY.
Reading shir hashirim on pesach
o SS read on pesach because it’s the time of our freedom physically and
spiritually and we are most apt at this time to understand the song of love
btwn H’ and His pp.
A compendium of midrashim regarding Egypt
o H’ brought dam first since mitzrim worshipped the river.
o The waters that were affected: ALL waters. Even in flasks/saliva
o The plage made the Jews rich since they charged the mitzrim for water
o The frogs did to the mitzriyim: they went into their dough and ovens and
become baked with their cakes.
o Miraculous abt the way Moshe created makkas shechin- Moshe took fistful of
soot from the furnace and it went upward and reached the kisei hakavod
o Unusual abt the darkness: it was unusually thick
o Choshech convinced mitzrim to lend their possessions to the Jews. After the
maka the Jews would ask mitzriyim for stuff and they’d say they don’t have it
whereas the Jews would say its in this and this place. The mitzrim realized if
Jews wanted to cheat them they would have taken it then.
o During darkness what happened to the jews? It was light in their dwelling
places. Wherever they were the light would go along with them
o (647) To evade makas bechoros, the mitzrim
o 2 mitzvos protected the firstborn Jews
o In the plague, the gods of mitzrayim
o The jews didn’t leave mitzrayim when the plague struck but waited til
morning
o They baked the dough
The order of prayer
o We don’t say full hallel on chol hamoed and second days of pesach like we do
on sukkos because the mitzrim drowned in the red sea and H’ said “the work
of My hands is drowning in the sea and you recite songs of praise!”. So
therefore we don’t on CH either so it doesn’t seem more impt then last day of
pesach.
Pesach as a time of judgment
o On pesach H’ judges whether the world’s crops will be successful or not.
The prayer for dew
o We stop davening for rain at pesach and start davening for dew. At the end of
Nissan is considred a bad time for rain since the grain harvest began and rain
will cause sheaves of grain lying in the field to rot. Dew moistens crops
without harming drying grain.
The counting of the omer
o We begin counting on the beginning of the night of the16th
of Nissan and
continue for 49 days.
Reasons for the mitzvos
o We count the omer 1)we’re preparing ourselves the same way our forefathers
did when they hadn’t yet entered EY and they couldn’t bring the omer
offering. And 2) moshe told Israel when they were in mitzrayim “you shall
worship God,” they asked him “when?” and he said “at the end of fifty day”
and they all begain counting for themselves… so omer commemorates this.
Mitzva of the omer
o Torah commands bringing a karbon omer on pesach so the grain of the land
would be blessed€
o It was better if the omer consisted of grain that was standing but if not was
able to be brought from sheaves. Should be fresh if not possible then dry.
Halacha from Moshe to bring barley.
Chol hamoed
o “you shall observe the festival of matzos for seven days”. Therefore the sages
say you shouldn’t work
o We honor CH by wearing fine clothes and eating 2 festive meals daily- 1 at
night and 1 in the day
o One should eat matzah since its considered festive when there’s bread/matza
Wearing tefilin on chol hamoed
o Shulchan aruch-forbidden to wear tfillin on CH.
o Some pp put on tfilin without a bracha.
Sanctity of chol hamoed
o One who belittles CH is considered to serving avoda zara and is denied a
portion in the world to come. Don’t engage in forbidden work or fail to invest
the day with a spirit of sanctity by eating and drinking more expansively than
weekday.
The seventh day of pesach
o We don’t say shehecheyanu on the seventh day of pesach because it’s the
conclusion of pesach.
o This day commemorates the day when many miracles were performed for our
forefathers at the Red Sea.
The names of the month
o Yisrael merited receiving the Torah when they encamped in Midbar Sinai
since it says “vayichan sham yisrael” in singular form showing that they were
together like one man with a single heart. All the other encampenets were
marked by strife and contention. It is only possible to receive the Torah when
all Israel is united by love, fellowship, peace and harmony.
The laws pertaining to the month of sivan
o Tachanun isn’t said during the first 12 days of the month of sivan because they
are elevated. The first day is RC, then between the 2nd
and 6th
day Moshe and
BNY were preparing to receive the Torah; 6th
day is shvuos; 7th
day was day
of slaughtering in times of BHMK; 8-12th
were set aside for festival offerings
of those who couldn’t bring them beforehand.
Days of restriction and abstinence
o The Torah was given to Yisrael on Shabbos. It was supposed to be given on
Friday but Moshe told them to prepare for an extra day.
The mission of Israel/ You have seen
o The mission that H’ asked Yisrael to accept was: restore to man his Godly
image and to the wold its King, to replenish the world with goodness. To enter
into the convenatnt in place of all humanity and accept its yoke and guard it.
To bend your ear to hear My voice which emanates from all that I created.
o There reward would be: H’ would strengthen our power, increase our wisdom,
recognize which path to follow, H’ will give us the Torah to be our wisdom
and strength.
o They responded by naase vinishma
Shavuous
o The names of the YT are:
Festival of reaping-reaping of wheat took place during this period
Festival of shavuos (weeks) count weeks from pesach
Day of bikkurim-commemorates bikurim offering
Atzeres-essence of the holiday is a concluding 8th
day for the 7 days of
pesach.
A day of assembly
o Atzeres means a gathering or assembly.
Atzeres-one day
o Shevuos is celebrated for one day unlike Pesach and Sukkos because it falls
during a period of work unlike where pesach and sukkos no work is done in
the fields so the Torah is considerate of Israel.
Israel: G-d’s fruit
o (R’ Chaim Atar) YT should be called ‘Shevuos” as opposed to “Shavuos”
because shEvuos is the festival that celebrates the 2 oaths: the oath that H’
took that he wouldn’t change us for another nation, and the oath we took not
to change H’ for another god.
Laws and customs of Shavuos
o It’s a mitzva to have 2 festive meals including meat and wine.
o Customary for men to immerse in mikveh erev shvuos since should purify
before a festival.
o Mariv and Kiddush shouldn’t be recited before nightfall since one should
count seven complete weeks.
o Customary to decorate house and shul with leaves and branches.
The Torah reading for shavuous
o The krias hatorah on the first day is from P’ Yisro (shemos) where giving of
Torah is recounted.
o Megilas rus is read because it teaches us that the Torah is acquired only thru
suffering and poverty-like Rus was when she converted to Judaism.
Eating dairy foods
o Customary to eat dairy foods, some pp eat cakes baked or fried in honey
(allusion to one who attains torah knowledge: “milk and honey under ur
tongue”)
Reason for eating dariy foods
o 3 reasons for eating milchig:
Cont .of pesach and on pesach we eat 2 types of cooked food karban
pesach and chagiga so to here we eat 2 types of cooked food: milk and
meat. In commemoration of lechem hapanim.
Recall Moshe’s merit that he was drawn from Nile on 6th
Sivan and
would only nurse milk from Jewish women.
Until Torah the Jews didn’t needa shecht animals, after Torah they
only ate milchig til they toiveled their dishes.
Reasons for decorating with leaves and branches
o 2 reasons for decorating shul and house w leaves/branches/flowers:
Moshe was born on 7th
adar and hidden by his mother for 3 months.
On 6th
Sivan his mother put him in a basket amongst the reeds.
Mashal: king had gardener cut down overgrown garden but they found
one rose and said in this roses merit lets save the gorden. So to H’
declares: “In the merit of Torah, the entire world will be saved.”
The tikkun of shvuous nightn
o Fitting to stay awake on shvuoss because before Torah was given in the
midbar Jews stayed up all night-was like a wedding btwn Israel and Torah and
it’s appropriate to stay up to busy oneself with preparing the brides needs.
Midrashic comments on the giving of the Torah
o Pasuk says the sixth day because H’ imposed a condition upon all the
creations- if Israel accepts the Torah then you will endure, if not I’ll return
you to chaos.
o Malochim agreed that Torah should be given to man and not remain in
Shomayim because they can’t keep a lot of it: they didn’t go out of mitzrayim.
They don’t have parents to honor;. They don’t do physical work that they
could rest on shabos. Etc…
o Torah was given in a place that belonged to no one, outside of EY in a midbar
because if it had been given in Israel then the nations of the world would
claim they had no part in it. And they cant have the excuse that because it was
given in the Jews land that’s why they didn’t accept it. Just like the midbar is
empty of luxuries, so too the words of Torah only endure to one who refrains
from luxuries.
We shall do and we shall hear
o H’ responded to Yisraels “naase vinishma” by saying “ who has revealed to
My children the secret which the ministering angels emply?” first they do then
they hear.
o “and they stood at the foot of the mountain” H’ held the mt over them like a
barrel and said to them: “if you accept then good. If not, this will be ur burial
place.”
Why the Torah wasn’t given immediately
o H’ didn’t give the Torah right when we left mitzrayim because he wanted to
give them time to leave the bondage and have pleasure for a little bit.
o When the Jews left mitzrayim a lot of them had become crippled from the
labor. H’ said is it fitting to give the Torah to them? And the ministering
angels took the hint and went down and healed them.
o The Aseres hadibros aren’t written at the beginning of the Torah. Mashal to a
man who says he wants to be king so the pp say what have u done? So he
constructs fortifications, wages war on their behalf and says should I be your
king? And they say yes yes so too hear. H’ takes us out and splits yam and
does nissim and then when He said “shall I be your king?” we said “yes.”
o The Torah was given on Har Sinai because it was humble and no idols had
been worshipped on its peak.
o When H’ came to give the Torah, 22,000 chariots of angels descended with
Him.
o When Yisrael heard the first commandment their souls expired
o At Mattan Torah there were lightening flashes and smelled of spices when
each commandment came forth. No birds chirped. The ocean didn’t move.
There wasn’t a sound.
o At Har Sinai H’ taught Moshe: Scripture, Mishna, Talmud, and Aggada.
Reading Book of Ruth
o We read it on Shavuos because took place during barley harvest and this
period is also time of shavuos (Abudraham)
o To teach us that Torah becomes part of man only thru suffering (Yalkut
Shemoni)
Fast of seventeenth of Tamuz
o Purpose of the fast is to awaken us and stir our hearts toward repenting by
recalling our own misdeeds as well as those of our anscestors.
Five calamities on the same day
o 5 calamaies occurred on shivasar bitamuz:
The first luchos were broken
The offering of the daily sacrifice was suspended in the 1st BHMK
The wallof the city was breached during the time of the 2nd
BHMK
Apustamus burned the Torah
An idol was placed in the
sanctuary.
The breaching of the walls
o The walls of the first BHMK were breached on the 17th
but records became
confused as a result of the great calamaties that occurred then and the pp
thought it happened on the 9th
.
The three weeks
o Its called ‘bein ha-metzarim’. Within the straits. Based on verse “ all of her
pursuers overtook her within the straits.”
o No weddings, listening to music, dancing, pleasure trips, haircuts/shaving,
don’t recite shehecheyanu.
When Av enters
o Beginning in the month of Av there are additional halachos and minhogim of
mouring like we don’t purchase clothes and don’t wash clothes if have more
then one set. If have fresh laundered clothes wear them briefly before RC.
Don’t eat meat or drink wine and don’t bathe entire body.
Shabbos Chazon
o Its called this way because haftorah read is taken from first chapter of
Yeshayahu that begins with “chazon yeshayahu.”
Erev Tisha bav
o At the seuda hamafsekes we eat 2 types of cooked food while seated on the
floor or low stool.
The laws of TB
o 5 things are forbidden: eating/drinking, washing, smearing oil, leather shoes,
cohabitation.
o Limud hatorah is prohibited because it brings a person joy.
o Working is customarily refrained from since it distracts from feeling a sense
of mourning. After midday its ok but proper to be stringent.
o Until midday sit on floor or low stool. Some pp don’t sleep on a bed, sleep on
mattresses on the floor. One should vary sleeping habits (2 pillows=> 1
pillow.)
o Shouldn’t wear fine clothing even if its not new.
Maariv
o On tisha bav Eicha is read.
Shacharis
o It’s a widespread minhag not to wear tefillin because tefillin is referred to as
being our “glory” and on Tisha bav our glory is absent.
Minchah
o Nacheim is only said at Mincha because its in the afternoon and that’s when
the BHMK was set afire.
Tragedy on a day of guilt
o 5 tragedies occurred on 9av:
It was decreed that generation that left Egypt wouldn’t enter EY.
The first BHMK was destroyed
The second BHMK was destroyed
Beitar was captured
Jerusalem was plowed under.
Unwarranted weeping
o When the miraglim came back and said LH on the land, the pp wept that
night. H’ said to them “you wept for no reason, I’ll set this day as a day of
weeping thoughout the generations.
A time of weeping throughout generations
o The later generations suffer for the sin of the generation of the meraglim
because even tho the children hadn’t evidenced their fathers trait of
ingratitude, it was part of their makeup since a fathers influence finds
expression in his children.
o The weeping throughout the generations rectifies the weeping without reason
which was the sin of the first feneration. Even at times of prosperity and
tranquility, theyd remember the land and would shed tears, yearning to return
and rebuild her desolate soil.
Destruction of the BHMK
o The first BHMK was despoiled and destroyed in the year 3338 during King
Tzidkiyahu by nevuchadnetzar.
Midrashim on the destruction of the Sanctuaries
o Nevuchadnetzar was able to destroy the BHMK because it was H’s will and
H’ told him to go and destroy it.
o The Jews were exiled because
o Yirmiyoh’s reaction was
o In Shomayim at the time of the Churban
o H’s ‘reaction’ to the churban
G-d vented His anger
o The kruvim were embracing at the time of the Churban because when the
BHMK had been destroyed and the Divine anger had been vented upon its
stone and wood, the love btwn Israel and God was restored.
The second destruction
o Kamtza and bar kamtza (kamtza threw out bar kamtza) this brought about the
destruction of Yerushalayim because bar kamtza went to emporer and said
about karbonos…..
o The people of Yerusholayim have nothing to eat during the Roman siege
because the biryonim burned the warehouses of wheat and barley since the
Sages didn’t want to go out and make peace or battle since they didn’t think
they’d gain anything by it.
o Hashem punished Titus by making a gnat enter his nostril and peck at his
brain for 7 years.
o Sinas chinom is considered equal to the three cardinal sins: avoda zara, giluy
arayos and shfichas damim.
The fall of Beitar
o Hashem allowed Beitar to fall to the Romans because
Why the Sanctuaries were destroyed
o The 1st BHMK was destroyed because of avoda zara, shfichas damim and
giluy arayos. The second BHMK was destroyed because of sinas chinam.
From the time of the destruction
o The Churban BHMK affected the Jewish pp and their relationship with H’.
The gates of prayer were locked and prophecy was removed from the Prophets
and given to the Sages, to the foolish, and to the children. The urim vitumim
ceased and no more leadership from house of David. The rains no longer fall
from the storehouse of bounty and dew doesn’t provide blessing. The world
lacks true healing.