Fw: Sukkos at F.R.E.E.

Sent from AOL on Android

----- Forwarded Message -----

From: "Rabbi Levi Notik" <lnotik@obshina.com>

To: "mates57564@aol.com" <mates57564@aol.com>

Cc:

Sent: Fri, Sep 29, 2023 at 10:01 AM

Subject: Sukkos at F.R.E.E.

ב״ה

View this email online

This Week at F.R.E.E. Candle Lighting Times for Chicago: Friday, Sep. 29 6:16 pm   F.R.E.E. • Email: lnotik@obshina.com • Phone: 773-274-5123 • www.freeofchicago.com     Message from the Rabbi     Dear Friends, One of the focal points of the holiday of Sukkot is "Simchat Beit Hashoevah"—the celebration associated with the water-drawing ceremony in Temple times. Every year, on the second night of the holiday, water was drawn from a special well just outside Jerusalem, to be used in the water libation that would accompany the festival offerings. Jews from all over would amass in the Temple's courtyard for an all-night celebration. Large torches were lit, trumpets were sounded, and rabbis and lay people danced together. The celebrations continued for the remaining six days of Sukkot. On all other holidays, when the festival offerings were accompanied by a wine libation, there was no celebration. So why, when it came time to pour water on the altar, was there a sudden burst of excitement? Wine represents spirituality, allowing a person to rise above their inhibitions and experience the esoteric. Water, however, remains down to earth. Or, to put it differently, wine represents the elite and water represents the unnoteworthy. And that's what was being celebrated–the simplicity of water. The message of Sukkot is one of inclusivity (just as the sukkah itself can house any Jew, regardless of stature). Everyone can and should be a part of what this holiday has to offer; a person's communal standing is irrelevant. That is certainly something worth celebrating. Wishing you the most joyous and inclusive Sukkot, Rabbi Levi Notik       Sukkos at F.R.E.E.     Simchas Beis Hashoeva     Live Classes on YouTube & Facebook       Jewish Humor After starting a new diet Sally altered her drive to the gym to avoid passing her favourite bakery. She accidentally drove by the bakery one morning and as she approached, there in the window were a host of goodies. She felt this was no accident, so she prayed: "L-rd, it's up to you.... if you want me to have any of those delicious goodies, create a parking place for me directly in front of the bakery."  And sure enough, He answered her prayer: on the eighth time around the block, there it was.     Bubby Fira's Food Bank Bubby Fira's Food Bank at F.R.E.E. provides hundreds of prepared meals each week for individuals and families in need.  If you know anyone who requires assistance with meals or pantry items, please call the hotline at  773-657-9800 or visit  www.bubbyfira.com and we'll get them healthy nutritious meals in a dignified and respectful manner. Your Donation Makes A Difference     This Week @ www.Obshina.com     By the Numbers 13 Facts About the Four Species (Lulav and Etrog) Every Jew Should Know Learn about this special mitzvah, which is performed every day of Sukkot (besides Shabbat). More...     Video What Is Sukkot? Sukkot is a Jewish holiday celebrated by taking off work, celebrating in a hut, and waving unusual bouquets. This video will give you the whole story. More...     Halachah For Life What You Need to Know About Eating in the Sukkah Confused about the specifics of the mitzvah to eat in the Sukkah? We've got you covered. More...     Jewish News Worshippers in North Tel Aviv Not Deterred by Yom Kippur Protest More...     Parshah in a Nutshell The name of the Parshah, "V'Zot HaBerachah," means "And this is the blessing," and it is found in Deuteronomy 33:1. The Sukkot and Shemini Atzeret Torah readings are from Leviticus 22-23, Numbers 29, and Deuteronomy 14-16. These readings detail the laws of the moadim or " appointed times" on the Jewish calendar for festive celebration of our bond with G‑d; including the mitzvot of dwelling in the sukkah (branch-covered hut) and taking the " Four Kinds" on the festival of Sukkot; the offerings brought in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem on Sukkot, and the obligation to journey to the Holy Temple to "to see and be seen before the face of G‑d" on the three annual pilgrimage festivals — Passover, Shavuot and Sukkot. On Simchat Torah ("Rejoicing of the Torah") we conclude, and begin anew, the annual Torah-reading cycle. First we read the Torah section of V'zot HaBerachah, which recounts the blessings that Moses gave to each of the twelve tribes of Israel before his death. Echoing Jacob's blessings to his twelve sons five generations earlier, Moses assigns and empowers each tribe with its individual role within the community of Israel. V'zot HaBerachah then relates how Moses ascended Mount Nebo from whose summit he saw the Promised Land. "And Moses the servant of G‑d died there in the Land of Moab by the mouth of G‑d... and no man knows his burial place to this day." The Torah concludes by attesting that " There arose not a prophet since in Israel like Moses, whom G‑d knew face to face... and in all the mighty hand and the great awesome things which Moses did before the eyes of all Israel." Immediately after concluding the Torah, we begin it anew by reading the first chapter of Genesis (the beginning of next Shabbat's Torah reading) describing G‑d's creation of the world in six days and His ceasing work on the seventh—which He sanctified and blessed as a day of rest. Learn: From the Rebbe's Talks Browse: V'Zot HaBerachah Parshah Columnists Prep: Devar Torah Q&A for V'Zot HaBerachah Read: Haftarah in a Nutshell Play: V'Zot HaBerachah Parshah Quiz         Today's Quote Not only myself did G-d redeem on this day... but also every one who goes by the name "Israel" — The sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, in a letter written for the first anniversary of his release from Soviet imprisonment in 1927     Chabad World News     Holiday Watch Sukkot Street Parties Bring Joyous Holiday Mitzvahs to Cities Around the World More…     Holiday Watch Jews in Ukraine Find Unity and Joy in Chabad's Sukkahs More…     Holiday Watch Jews Worldwide Unite for Sukkot More…     Israel Worshippers in North Tel Aviv Not Deterred by Yom Kippur Protest More…

---

This email is sent from F.R.E.E.. We'd love to stay in touch with you, but if you wish to be unsubscribed from this list please click here, or click here to manage your subscriptions.

Sent via ChabadOne Communicator