Your Feedback Matters


We hope you are enjoying The Foundation Stone™.
Please take a few moments to complete the survey
so that we can continue to improve our website.
Thank you for your time and support.

Take this survey



Your Feedback Matters


Please reconsider your decision.
A few minutes of your time will be
a great help and will allow us to make
The Foundation Stone™ even better.

Thank You!

Take this survey


The Music of Halacha: Succot Imagination Print E-mail

Music of HalachaWe can observe the most complex and complicated laws. We can build a House for God that will actually attract His Presence, but it seems as if we cannot build a simple booth without some magical help:

 

If non-kosher s’chach is placed immediately adjacent to the walls of the succah it does not disqualify the structure as long as its width does not equal four cubits. The non-kosher s’chach is considered as if it were part of an overhanging wall. Instead of non-kosher roof, imagine that you actually have a bending wall!

 

Empty spaces of less than 3 tefachim, or fists, are not really empty; Imagine them filled with kosher s’chach.

 

Walls magically rise up in the air. Just use your imagination.

 

Why are there so many laws to help us construct a simple booth? Surely we can construct a succah without all the magical laws!

 

The only way to go forward into the year with all we gained on Yom Kippur is to use our imagination. We must imagine ourselves as accomplishing all our dreams. We must imagine ourselves receiving all the blessings for which we prayed.

 

The opening law in the Mishna about Succah is that a Succah that is taller than 20 cubits is not kosher. The Mishna does not begin by teaching us that we must build a succah or how to build a succah. The tractate begins by reminding us not to make our succah too tall.

 

It is very easy to leave Yom Kippur and set out sights too high. Imagination; yes. Too demanding; No!

Share/Save/Bookmark
Comments (1)Add Comment

 <script language='JavaScript' type='text/javascript'>
 <!--
 var prefix = 'ma' + 'il' + 'to';
 var path = 'hr' + 'ef' + '=';
 var addy75441 = 'moshe.stepansky' + '@';
 addy75441 = addy75441 + 'gmail' + '.' + 'com';
 document.write( '<a ' + path + '\'' + prefix + ':' + addy75441 + '\'>' );
 document.write( addy75441 );
 document.write( '<\/a>' );
 //-->\n </script> <script language='JavaScript' type='text/javascript'>
 <!--
 document.write( '<span style=\'display: none;\'>' );
 //-->
 </script>This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
 <script language='JavaScript' type='text/javascript'>
 <!--
 document.write( '</' );
 document.write( 'span>' );
 //-->
 </script>
Not too high Not too low
written by This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , September 27, 2010
Our Holy Torah is also giving us pointers in personal growth incorporated in the Halachot of the Succah:
Just as one must not become arrogant also in the fulfillment of mitzvot (Succah can't rise above a certain height)- one mustn't shortchange oneself and make oneself too low.
Also, we know the amount of shade entering the succah must be greater than the sunlight filtering in from above; however, one may not totally shut out the world (one should, on principle, be able to see stars thru the s'chach).

Although there is a limitation on the light entering the Succah - there is NO limit on the amount of light emanating FROM the Succah!!
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: +0

Write comment

busy
 
Joomla 1.5 Templates by JoomlaShine.com