Friday, September 28, 2012

"The Sukkah: Inside and Out" by Rabbi Eliezer Melamed

Can we do תפילות prayers for:

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed and Yeshiva Har Bracha?

So that through them The האור Light, רפואה The Healing and The ואהבה Love of ישועת יהוה Yeshuath YHWH may come back to הארץ The Land of Israel?

The Sukkah: Inside and Out

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed

Obligation and Mitzvah

Anything a person usually does specifically inside his house throughout the year, he is obligated to do in the sukkah during the holiday of Sukkot. Therefore, it is obligatory to have the ‘seudot keva’ (a meal containing more than one ‘kebeitza’ [57.6 cubic cm] of bread, cake, or pasta) and sleep in the sukkah, given that the main role of the home is to provide a place to eat and sleep.

However, things that a person does occasionally in the house, and at times outside of the house, such as ‘achilat arei’ (eating a snack), Torah learning, reading a book, or conversing with friends – indeed, one fulfills a mitzvah by doing them in the sukkah, but someone who does not wish to, although he has evaded fulfilling a mitzvah, he has not sinned. This is because the mitzvah of ‘yishiva b’sukkah’ (dwelling in the sukkah) is to reside in the sukkah as he does in his house, and things that people are sometimes accustomed to do outside of the house can also be done outside of the sukkah during the holiday (Shulchan Aruch 639:1-2).

Matters that usually are always done outside of the house, such as prayers in a minyan (quorum of ten Jewish male adults) and Torah classes can be conducted ‘l’chatchila’ (from the outset) in the synagogue or beit midrash (study hall), and there is no need to make an effort to do them in the sukkah.

Torah Study in the Sukkah

Generally, our Sages said that it is a mitzvah to learn uncomplicated studies in the sukkah, but it is preferable to learn in-depth and arduous studies at home or in the beit midrash, where it is easier to concentrate (Sukkah 28b; Shulchan Aruch 639:4). Someone who has difficulty concentrating in the sukkah due to the heat or noise, it is preferable for him to learn even uncomplicated studies in the most convenient place, seeing as Torah study is not one of the things that is done exclusively at home. Also, someone who studies and requires a number of books which are hard to bring to the sukkah, is permitted to learn in the beit midrash or his study room ‘l’chatchila’.

Women in the Sukkah

Women are exempt from the obligation of sukkah, since the mitzvah of sukkah is a ‘mitzvah sh’ha’zman gramma’ (a positive time-bound mitzvah) from which women are exempt. In any event, the mitzvah is also relevant to women, for any time they eat, sleep, or sit in the sukkah, they fulfill a mitzvah. According to the Ashkenazi custom and some of the Sephardim, women bless ‘leyshev b’sukkah’ similar to men. Since women are not obligated to dwell in the sukkah, the custom of most Sephardic women is not to make the blessing (Shulchan Aruch 589:6; P’neniei Halachah: Tefilat Nashim 2:8 footnote 9).

Respect for the Sukkah

Although a person must act in his sukkah similar to the way he does at home, nevertheless, there is a difference between the house and the sukkah. In the house, all chores are done – whether respectable or not; in the sukkah however, on account of its honor, chores that are not respectable should not be performed. Rather, one should act in the sukkah the way people normally behave in the most attractive and distinguished room of their house. Consequently, utensils that are not respectable, such as a bucket or a pail, or anything that usually is not placed in such a room, should not be placed in the sukkah. Dishes should not be washed in the sukkah, and a baby’s diaper should not be changed there (Sukkah 28:2; Shulchan Aruch 639:1; Aruch Hashulchan 4).

Removal of Dirty Dishes from the Sukkah

It is forbidden to place a garbage can for food disposal in the sukkah, but it is permitted place a wastebasket for papers and the like, similar to what people place in their living room. After eating, plates and cutlery should be removed as soon as possible, because it is dishonorable for the sukkah to have dirty dishes remain there. However, the drinking glasses can be left in the sukkah, because they are not as dirty, and occasionally, people like to drink more. If people are used to bringing pots to the table in their home, they are also permitted to do so in the sukkah. Where doing so is considered undignified, they should not be brought to the sukkah (Sukkah 29a; Shulchan Aruch 639:1, Mishna Berura 3-6).

Some authorities say that after the meal is finished, if the dirty plates and cutlery were not removed immediately, the sukkah is ‘p’sula l’mitzvah’ (invalid), and a person who enters such a sukkah should not recite the blessing ‘leyshev b’sukkah’ (Rabeinu Manoach, Ra’avad). Although the halacha does not follow their opinion, nevertheless, we can learn from it just how careful one must be to respect the sukkah.

Everyday Conversation in the Sukkah

It is not a dishonor for a person to speak of secular matters in the sukkah. Therefore, someone who wishes to speak with a friend face-to-face or by telephone, would do well to speak in the sukkah, similar to the way he would in his house, for whenever he is in the sukkah, he fulfills a mitzvah (Shulchan Aruch 639:1). Someone who wishes to play chess, Monopoly, or the like, would do well to play in the sukkah (see, Mahari Weil 191, Divrei Moshe 639:1). There are those who ‘mehadrim’ (enhance) the mitzvah by spending a lot of time in the sukkah, and also ‘mehadrim’ not to engage in secular activities there (Shla HaKadosh, Kaf HaChaim 639:5-6; see, Mishna Berura 2). In any event, for people who wish to engage in secular activities, it is better to do them in the sukkah, thereby fulfilling a mitzvah, than leaving the sukkah to evade engaging in secular activities there.

Soldiers in the Sukkah

Q: Are soldiers engaged in guard duty and regular security activities, and do not have any spare time, obligated to build a sukka for themselves which is liable to take several hours, at the expense of their limited sleep-time (six hours a day)?

A: The soldiers are considered as ‘oskim b’mitzvah’ (engaged in a mitzvah), and consequently, do not need to make the effort of building a sukkah for themselves at the expense of their sleep-time, the lessening of which would directly affect their alertness on guard duty. The commanders, though, who ought to care for the soldier’s welfare, must ensure the building of a comfortable sukkah where the soldiers can eat, and when there is no a security concern – even sleep in it.

An Ill Person is Exempt from the Sukkah

If dwelling in the sukkah causes one grief, he is exempt from the sukkah. This also includes someone who is ill, and dwelling in the sukkah is difficult for him. Even an ill person whose life is not in danger, such as someone who has a headache, is included in this ‘heter’ (permission), provided that dwelling in the house will ease his grief (Sukkah 26a; Shulchan Aruch 640:3).

The Law for One Who Causes Himself to be Ill on Sukkot

A person, who was required to have medical treatment on Sukkot, and as a result, is ill and considered ‘mitzta’air’ (distressed) – as long as his grief lasts, he is exempt from the sukkah. However, if the treatment can be performed before or after Sukkot, yet he decided to do it on Sukkot, although in effect he is distressed – he is obligated to dwell in the sukkah. Given that he unnecessarily placed himself in a situation of distress, this does not exempt him from the sukkah (Ohr Zarua, Rema 640:3).

Travelers are Obligated in Mitzvah of Sukkah

A person who wishes to take a trip with his family must plan the trip in such a way that they can eat their meal in the sukkah. If they decided to go to a place where there is no sukkah, they must make sure not to eat a ‘seudat keva’ while on the trip, but rather settle for fruits and vegetables and a little ‘mezanot’ (foods made from the five grains).

Indeed, there are authorities who are of the opinion that a person who goes on a trip is permitted to eat a meal outside of the sukkah, because just as one who goes on a trip during the rest of the year is not meticulous to eat indoors, so too, on Sukkot – someone who decides to go on a trip does not need to be particular to eat in a sukkah. However, it seems that in practice, one should not be lenient in this matter, because only those required to travel are exempt from the sukkah. On the other hand, someone who decided to go for a pleasure trip, thereby decides to annul himself from the mitzvah unnecessarily. Consequently, only if he is meticulous to eat a meal in the sukkah, may he go on a trip (Igrot Moshe, Orech Chaim 3:93; Yichevei Daat 3:47; Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach; Ohalah Shel Torah, 2:93).

Torah Study and Outings on Chol HaMoed

In general, one should be careful not to squander the sacred days of Chol HaMoed (intermediate days of Sukkot) on outings, because the holidays were given to Israel in order for them to engage in Torah study joyfully. For during the year a person is preoccupied with his work, and it is difficult to concentrate on studying Torah. And thus we find in the Jerusalem Talmud (Moed Katan, chap.2, halacha 3): “Rabbi Abba bar Memal said: If there was someone else who would be counted [agree] with me, I would permit [Israel] to work on Chol HaMoed! Work is only forbidden [on Chol HaMoed] so that they [Israel] can eat, drink, be joyful, and labor in Torah, but now, they eat, drink, and are frivolous.”

When a person devotes the holidays for his personal enjoyment, God says of him: “These are not My appointed feast, but rather your appointed feasts, concerning which it is said: “Your new moons and appointed feasts my soul hates; they are a trouble to me; I am weary of enduring them” (Isaiah 1:14). But those who devote the holidays to Torah, prayer, and ‘seudot mitzvah’ (festive meals) are loved and cherished by God, May He be blessed (Shla Hakadosh, Talmud Sukkah, Ner Mitzvah 31).

There are some outings which are a mitzvah, such as traveling to greet one’s rabbi, who he does not normally meet once a month. Also, a person who travels to Jerusalem to spend time in the Holy City, to approach the Temple Mount, and pray by the Western Wall – this is akin to the mitzvah of ‘aliyah l’regel’ (pilgrimage). People who go out on such trips where a mitzvah is involved, if it is difficult for them to find a sukkah to eat in, may eat ‘achilat keva’ (a meal) outside the sukkah.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed is the Dean of Yeshiva Har Bracha and a prolific author on Jewish Law. Rabbi Melamed is one of the most active leaders amongst the religious-Zionist public. This article was translated from his popular weekly column "Revivim" which appears in the "Basheva" newspaper. According to official media surveys, his column is the most widely read editorial amongst the religious and ultra-Orthodox public in Israel.

Rabbi Melamed's articles also appear at: http://revivimen.yhb.org.il/

Please Say Yes to Abba Yahweh and His Laws.

It is written in the Koran:
‘1. Surah Al-Fatihah:

1. In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.
2. All the praises and thanks are to Allah, the Lord of the 'Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists).
3. The Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.
4. The Only Owner (and the Only Ruling Judge) of the Day of Recompense (i.e. the Day of Resurrection)
5. You (Alone) we worship, and You (Alone) we ask for help (for each and everything).
6. Guide us to the Straight Way
7. The Way of those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace, not (the way) of those who earned Your Anger (such as the Jews), nor of those who went astray (such as the Christians).

This is the 'start' in the Koran......

For more, what the Koran is teaching about: ‘Muslims Hate Jews, Christians all other faiths’ ‘Their Guide Book says to kill, behead and burn all non-believers’ click:
Index of The Quran (Satanic Verses of violence to us)

For more information about the development of these ‘Chaldean’ in our days go to our News-Blog: http://thewatchmenfromisraelnews.blogspot.co.il/

Please read the Mitzvoth go to: Positive Commandments and the Negative Commandments), easy to read. It is very important to know them. I don’t ask you this to become a good Jew! But to learn who you really are. That you can find your real identity. In a good understanding of the rest of The Scriptures. And that you understand that Rabbi Shaul is talking to a real Israel,

1Co 10:1 I do not want you to be without da'as (knowledge), Achim (brothers) b(in) 'Moshiach, that Avoteinu (our fore Fathers, you Yehudah and Ephraim! Nobody else.) all were under the anan (cloud),

(‘Achim (brothers) b(in)Moshiach are Yehudah and Ephraim who were all under the anan (cloud). The seed (literal) of Abraham, Yitzhak and Ya’acob) read it for yourself :)

Exo 13:21 And Yahweh went before them (Yehudah and Ephraim -Israel) by day in an ammud anan (‘Pillar of a cloud), to guide them haderech (the Way); and by lailah (night) in an ammud eish (‘Pillar of fire), to give them ohr (light); so they could travel yomam valailah (day or night);

Exo 13:22 He took not away the amud heanan (‘Pillar of a cloud) by day, nor the ammud haeish (‘Pillar of fire) by night, from before HaAm (the people, Yehudah and Ephraim) and passed through the sea.
Exo 14:22 And the Bnei Yisroel (Yehudah and Ephraim) then went into the middle of the yam (sea) upon the yabashah (dry land); and the mayim (waters) were a chomah (wall) unto them on their right, and on their left.

Exo 14:23 And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them into the middle of the yam (sea), even kol sus (all horses) Pharaoh, his chariots, and his parash (rider).

Exo 14:24 So it came to pass, that when came the watch of the boker (morning), Yahweh looked down on the machaneh Mitzrayim (camp of Egypt) through the ammud eish (pillar of fire) and of the anan (cloud), and caused confusion over the machaneh Mitzrayim (camp of Egypt),

Exo 14:25 And turned awry their chariot wheels, that they drove them with difficulty; so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the presence of Yisroel (really when Yehudah and Ephraim where together, not like today); because Yahweh fighting for them against the Egyptians,
So let we further listen what Rabbi Shaul has really to say:)

1Co 10:2 And all into Moshe Rabbenu were given tevilah (a ‘mikwah’ immersed) in the anan (cloud) and in the sea,

1Co 10:3 And all of the same spiritual okhel (food) ate [SHEMOT 16:4,35; DEVARIM 8:3; TEHILLIM 78:24-29],

1Co 10:4 And all of the same spiritual drink drank, for they were drinking from a spiritual TZUR (Rock) following them [SHEMOT 17:6; BAMIDBAR 20:11; TEHILLIM 78:15; 105:41], and that TZUR was Moshiach (Yeshuah – Yeshuah Yahweh).

And now one of our neviim:

Hab 2:3 For the chazon (vision) is yet for a mo’ed (an appointed time); it speaks of HaKetz (the End), and does not lie; though it tarry, wait for him

Moshiach— see: Sanhedrin 97b, ‘It has been taught; R. Nathan said: This verse pierces and descends to the very abyss:11 For the Vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though he tarry, wait for him (Moshiach); because it will surely come, it will not tarry.12]; because he (Moshiach) will surely come, and will not tarry.

(11) Just as the bottom of an abyss cannot be reached, so is it impossible to grasp the full purport of this verse (Rashi).
(12) Hab. II, 3.

Believe…..

Hab 2:4 Hinei (behold), his nashamah (soul) which is puffed up is not upright in him; but the tzaddik (righteous) shall live by his emunah (believe).

Through Moshiach, Yeshuah from Yahweh who give you emunah (believe)…..

Gen 15:6 And he believed in Yahweh; and He credited emunah (faith)] to him as tzedakah (righteousness).

Please read the whole book of HaNavi Habakuk?

The Koran teaches us that you have to die…….

But, please Yudah (Jews) and Ephraim (most Christians) Listen to His Voice:

Hab 1:12 Art thou not mikedem

(‘everlasting’ also said of Moshiach, indicating Moshiach’s eternal divine nature: Dan 7:14 And there was given Him (Moshiach) dominion, and honor, and sovereignty, that all people, Goyim, tongues, should pey-lammed-chet. [1] (worship as deity) (see Dan 3:12, serve, reverence as deity Him (Moshiach). His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His (Messianic) Kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.] see Michah 5:1[2];)

Yahweh Elohai (my Elohim) Kedoshi (my Holy One)? We shall not die. Yahweh, Thou hast appointed them (these Chaldean) for mishpat (ordinance); O Tzur (Rock), Thou hast ordained them (these Chaldean) for reproof.

Maran Rabbeinu Yeshuah and Rabbeinu Shaul are teaching that you, Yehudah and Ephraim all Israel, come together to the same point as where you were when you said:

Deu 5:27 Go thou near, and hear all that Yahweh Eloheinu (our Elohim) shall say; and speak thou unto us all that Yahweh Eloheinu shall speak unto thee; and we will hear it, and do it.

But don’t ‘make’ from one of them Rabbeinu Yeshuah, Rabbeinu Shaul or Rabbeinu Mosheh another ‘mighty one’ but accept them in your live for what they really are….

Please take it serious what Abba Yahweh is telling us in:

Deu 18:15 Yahweh Eloheicha (your Elohim) will raise up unto thee a Navi (prophet) from among thee, of thy achim (bretheren), kamoni (like me.....

Exo 32:30 The next day Moshe said to the people, "You have committed a terrible sin. Now I will go up to Yahweh; maybe I will be able to atone for your sin."); unto him ye must listen;

Deu 18:16 According to all that thou desired of Yahweh Eloheicha (your Elohimin) Chorev (to be burnt dried up, ruined, wasted) in the Yom HaKahal (day of the congregation), saying, Let me not hear again the voice of Yahweh Elohav (your Elohim), neither let me see this eish hagedolah (‘great fire’) any more, that I die not.

Deu 18:17 And Yahweh said unto me, They have well-spoken that which they have spoken.

Deu 18:18 I will raise them up a Navi (prophet) from among their achim (brethren), like unto thee, and will put My words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.

Joh 10:18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have samchut (authority) to lay it down, and I have samchut to receive it again. This mitzvah I received from HaAv (the Father).

Deu 18:19 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not listen unto My words which he shall speak Bishmi (in My Name), I will require it of him.

Joh 8:28 Therefore, Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach said to them, When you perform the hagbah (lifting up) of the Ben HaAdam, you will have da'as (knowledge) that Ani Hu [YESHAYAH 41:4; SHEMOT 3:14-16], and from myself I do nothing, but as HaAv (the Father) of me taught me, these things I speak.

Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiah Yeshuah – is Yeshuah Yahweh. Like it is said in:

Gen_49:18 I have waited for Thy Yeshuah (Salvation), Yahweh.

Exo_15:2 Yahweh is my oz and zimrah (song of praise), and He is become to me Yeshuah (salvation); He is Eli (my Elohim), and I will praise Him; Elohei Avi (the Elohim of my Father), and I will exalt Him.

And not a half-god, or another mighty-one who came between HaShem and us! (Not, ‘It Suph’!) I believe many of us (Jews and Ephraimites!) have to learn that!

[1] Dictionary of the Talmud. M. Jastrow p. 1178 פלח

Please let us come together in Prayer (by singing/praying The Song of Moshe and The Song of The Lamb) and Teshuvah in the Love of Yeshuath YHWH. Yehudah, Ephraim and all 'the called out ones',
Until comes in fulfillment,

Zec 12:10 And I will pour upon the house of David (The whole House of Israel, Jews and Ephraim), and upon the inhabitants of Yerushalayim, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourned for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

Isa 11:13 And the envy of Ephrayim shall turn aside, and the adversaries of Yehudah be cut off. Ephrayim shall not envy Yehudah, and Yehudah not trouble Ephrayim.
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