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  • Group 27 Entrar

Embracing Nature's Holiness:
Sukkot's Unique Connection and Universal Appeal"

Shalom and greetings to all our Noahide friends worldwide. Happy Sukkot!

This holiday is different from all the Jewish holidays in that it is pastoral. There is much greenery in it. The four species that we take during this holiday, as well as the sukkah itself, made of natural materials, and the Temple ceremony of drawing the spring water – Simchat Beit Hashoeva; all these things are expressions of the unity of the Jewish soul with nature. 

We are not very good at this since it seems that Jews tend to fear nature. They are afraid of the experiential aspects, often paganistic, associated with it. Therefore, on Passover, for example, we refrain from eating leavened bread. On Shavuot, we do not sleep all night; on Rosh Hashanah, we do not sleep the entire day. Finally, Sukkot is a regular holiday where we can sleep and connect with the natural pastoral joy of nature. 

How do we achieve this? After we have already gone through the process of rectifying our sins and purifying ourselves from the evil inclination through the Days of Awe of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, we are sure that our encounter with nature will not, God forbid, lead a person morally astray. Instead, the experience should elevate  the person, uplifting them along with nature. Consequently, this is why Sukkot also has a significant universal dimension.

The nations of the world are more sensitive to the holiness in nature, as explained by one of the great leaders of the nation, Rabbi Kook of blessed memory, who explained that the holiness in nature belongs specifically to the nations of the world. In contrast, the holiness that transcends nature belongs to the people of Israel. And behold, on Sukkot, there is reconciliation between the two types of holiness: the holiness above nature and the holiness within nature. Therefore, the prophets prophesy to us that in the future, people from all over the world will come to celebrate Sukkot, especially in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. The Jews would offer 70 bulls to atone for the 70 nations of the world. Sukkot is a universal holiday that brings us together with all of humanity, reconciling the holiness above nature with the holiness within nature, and wishing a  joyful holiday to all of us.

 A full E-Book on Holliness & Nature - you can find here.

 

 

More Weekly Portions

Seeking Tranquility
The Messianic Aspiration of Jacob

"In Jacob's quest for personal tranquility, juxtaposed with Joseph's visionary dreams, the narrative unveils a perpetual struggle. The tension between individual serenity and catalyzing global change emerges as a central theme. As Joseph rises beyond familial opposition, his dreams illuminate a path to global sustenance and enlightenment. This ancient saga prompts reflection on the perennial question: Must one sacrifice personal peace for transformative impact?"

VAYISHLACHl
Jacob envió mensajeros para regresar a la tierra

Vayishlaj profundiza en la evolución de la identidad judía, rastreando el viaje transformador de Jacob para convertirse en Israel. Partiendo de la parte anterior donde Jacob va al exilio, esta narrativa se centra en su regreso y el intrincado proceso de transición de identidad. El texto enfatiza la importancia de afrontar los desafíos políticos como requisito previo para encarnar la identidad de 'Israel', que lucha tanto con Dios como con los hombres.

Un momento crucial se desarrolla en el encuentro de Jacob con Esaú, donde el miedo adquiere un papel central. El comentario de Rashi arroja luz sobre la naturaleza dual del miedo de Jacob: el miedo a sufrir un daño potencial y la posibilidad de causar daño a los demás. Este miedo matizado refleja la influencia persistente del código moral de un exiliado, que obstaculiza la capacidad de confrontar y derrotar al enemigo.

​Mientras Jacob todavía lucha con un enemigo real en el incidente de Shjem (Siquem), sus hijos comprenden el curso de acción necesario para la existencia en la Tierra de Israel. La narración concluye con Jacob regresando a Betel, habiendo adquirido la convicción que requerían los judíos de la Tierra de Israel, un nivel ejemplificado por alguien que sabe luchar para defenderse a sí mismo y a su Tierra.

Ganar los derechos del primogénito

La porción de la Torá "Vayetze" relata el viaje simbólico de Jacob que representa el exilio colectivo del pueblo de Israel en el futuro. En medio de desafíos morales y acusaciones de su hermano Esaú, Jacob busca demostrar su superioridad moral. La narrativa cambia con el nacimiento de cuatro primogénitos, particularmente Rubén, quien contrasta con Esaú al proteger a su hermano menor. Esto inicia un proceso de corrección, destacando la absoluta superioridad de Jacob sobre Esaú. El nacimiento de José se convierte en el detonante de la partida de Jacob, guiado por el entendimiento de que un hermano menor más merecedor puede reemplazar al primogénito biológico, haciéndose eco del tema más amplio de los derechos de Isaac sobre Ismael y de Jacob sobre Esaú.

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