tzaddik

“Worshiping G-d Wholeheartedly”
(updated and revised from Sukkot 5765-2004)

In an affluent society, such as the one in which we live, it is often difficult to find opportunities to worship G-d wholeheartedly. By sacrificing our creature comforts and entering the ill-furnished sukkah, we send G-d a message that we are prepared to give up some of our earthly conveniences for Him. History shows that when we make these sacrifices, we often get paid back--big time!

“A Sukkot Story: Devotion to a Festival”
(Updated and revised from Sukkot 5761-2000)

The great O’heiv Yisrael, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, taught a wealthy Jew with an Etrog, what it means to be devoted to the festival of Sukkot.

“The Voice Within Us”

At the moment of supreme passion, when Joseph was about to yield to the temptations of Potiphar’s wife, the vision of Jacob appears before his eyes, causing Joseph to flee from seduction. Those visions and voices of parents or influential role models are available to all who need help during times of challenge.

"Noah: A Biblical Profile"

When compared to the dynamic Abraham and even the self-indulgent Adam, Noah often pales in comparison to these two great fathers of humanity. The truth is that Noah was a man of many talents who is overshadowed by others who possessed even greater talents. He was a most creative and industrious person and a man of significant moral stature, even though he was a lonely moral man in his generation. No profile of Noah should sell him short.

"Worshiping G-d Wholeheartedly"

In an affluent society, such as the one in which we live, it is often difficult to find opportunities to worship G-d wholeheartedly. By sacrificing our mortal comforts and entering the ill-furnished sukkah, we send G-d a message that we are prepared to give up our creaturely comforts for Him. History has proven that when we sacrifice, we get paid back--big time!

"The Sukkot Story: Devotion to a Festival"

Devotion to G-d must be wholehearted. Earning a place in the World to Come must be due to a person's good deeds, and not one's superior negotiation skills.