Essays
The Return: The Incense Offering
The spiritual dimensions of the ketoret, or the incense offering, are discussed in conjunction with the concept of teshuvah.
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The Mitzvah of Sukkah: The “Easy” Mitzvah
An examination of the mitzvah of dwelling in the sukkah and why it is the mitzvah singled out by the Talmud as G-d’s “easy mitzvah.”
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Unity in Three Dimensions: The Four Kinds on Sukkot
A discussion about joy as the dominant theme of Sukkot, and the inner dimensions of the four species and other observances during the holiday.
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Chanukah: An American Holiday
Both the American Revolution and Chanukah’s message of freedom and transcendence is as relevant today as it was two millenniums and two centuries ago.
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Chanukah celebrates what?
The word “Chanukah” comes from the word chinuch, which means “initiation.” Chanukah celebrates the renewal of the service in the Holy Temple after it was liberated from the Greek defiler, purified, and rededicated as the seat of G-d’s manifest presence in our world.
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A Liquid Joy: The Sukkot Water Pouring Ceremony
Learn deep mystical lessons about the spiritual meaning of the Sukkot water pouring ceremony. Explore the significance of the Jewish festival of Sukkot.
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A Non-Parting Party
Our sages explain the significance of Shemini Atzeret. Shemini Atzeret is the one-day festival that immediately follows the seven-day festival of Sukkot.
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The Missing Festival
Other than a few parenthetical references, the Mishnah makes no mention of the story and laws of Chanukah. This explains why.
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The Third Month: Being Beautiful
The third month of the Hebrew year, Kislev, has the potential to make us all beautiful.
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The Month of Teves
Teves focuses us on the Temple from two angles. First, the end of Chanukah celebrates of the return to the Temple. And secondly, the fast day on the 10th of the month marks the siege against Jerusalem.
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