Although the Children of Israel went out of Egypt and became a nation in Nissan - the first month, most of the Festivals are celebrated in Tishrei – the seventh month.  In the seventh month, both the historical aspect - the end of the process of the Exodus, as well as the cosmological aspect - the beginning of the agricultural year are commemorated.

A comprehensive study of the various additional sacrifices reveals two sets of sacrifices that are connected to two groups of Festivals.  The first set refers to the Festivals that fall in the month of Nissan and commemorate the Exodus from Egypt, and the second refers to the Festivals that fall in the month of Tishrei and that mark the beginning of agricultural calendar.  The Sukkot Festival ties the two sets together.

"וַיִּתְהַלֵּךְ בְּתוֹךְ אֲרָיוֹת כְּפִיר הָיָה וַיִּלְמַד לִטְרָף טֶרֶף אָדָם אָכָל: וַיֵּדַע אַלְמְנוֹתָיו וְעָרֵיהֶם הֶחֱרִיב וַתֵּשַׁם אֶרֶץ וּמְלֹאָהּ מִקּוֹל שַׁאֲגָתוֹ: וַיִּתְּנוּ עָלָיו גּוֹיִם סָבִיב מִמְּדִינוֹת וַיִּפְרְשׂוּ עָלָיו רִשְׁתָּם בְּשַׁחְתָּם נִתְפָּשׂ: וַיִּתְּנֻהוּ בַסּוּגַר בַּחַחִים וַיְבִאֻהוּ אֶל מֶלֶךְ בָּבֶל יְבִאֻהוּ בַּמְּצֹדוֹת לְמַעַן לֹא יִשָּׁמַע קוֹלוֹ עוֹד אֶל  הָרֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל" (י"ט, ו-ט)

משל הלביאה וגוריה מלמד שמלכי יהודה ילכו בשבי לבבל, ואילו משל הגפן מלמד שנסתם הגולל על מלכי יהודה כולם.

מלכות יהודה פשטה את הרגל, הן מבחינה מדינית והן מבחינה מוסרית. מעתה לא יהיו אלא נשיאים. המלך היחיד יהיה מלכו של עולם, הקב"ה בכבודו ובעצמו

Near the end of Slihot every night, the evocative piyut “Mi She’Ana” (“He Who Answered”) is recited. It recounts Biblical personalities whom God answered and helped in their times of crisis or distress, and turns to God to answer us as well.

תורת הגמול המתוארת בפרק יח איננה תיאורטית, אלא מכוונת ספציפית אל ארבעת מלכי יהודה האחרונים

Near the end of Slihot every night, the evocative piyut “Mi She’Ana” (“He Who Answered”) is recited. It recounts Biblical personalities whom God answered and helped in their times of crisis or distress, and turns to God to answer us as well.

A video presentation version can be found here.

Near the end of Slihot every night, the evocative piyut “Mi She’Ana” (“He Who Answered”) is recited. It recounts Biblical personalities whom God answered and helped in their times of crisis or distress, and turns to God to answer us as well.

Shmuel called the people of Israel to gathered at Mizpa where they could further their teshuva process together and where Shmuel would pray for them.

A study of the chapters concerning the Festivals, reveals striking differences between the number of bulls sacrificed during Sukkot and the number sacrificed during the other Festivals.  On Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur and Shmini Atzeret, we sacrifice one bull; on Pesach and Shavuot – two; yet on Sukkot, the number changes each day.  What symbolism can be found in the number of bulls sacrificed during Sukkot?  By answering this question, we will gain a deeper understanding of meaning of Sukkot.