Why do we say a complete Hallel on each day of Succot?

Hi,

"The reason why we complete [the entire] Hallel all eight days of Chanukah and nine days of Succot [outside Israel; in Israel it is eight days], and on Pesach  we only complete it on the first two days, and we don't complete it on Rosh Chodesh, is because:

"Each of the eight days of Chanukah has something new – an additional light. The eight [biblical] days of Succot each have different korbanot… And therefore we complete Hallel on those days. Each of the days of Chanukah and Succot is like its own holiday, distinct in its lights and korbanot respectively.

"But on the seven [biblical] days of Pesach and on Rosh Chodesh, there is no distinction between korbanot. All of them are identical. Therefore, we don't complete Hallel; we only complete it on the first two days [of Pesach]."

(Avudraham, Laws of Chanukah)

חג סוכות שמח,

Mordechai

A message of the word "Sh'ma"

Hi,

The "Sh'ma (Hear O Israel)" prayer contains the essence of Jewish beliefs, and is recited at least twice daily - at the morning and evening services.

Avudraham, an early commentary to the prayer book, points out that the word "Shma," שמע, may be read as an acronym: Si'u Marom Eineichem [שאו מרום עיניכם] - Raise your eyes heavenward.

Ultimately, all of our Jewish beliefs can be distilled into that message [as seen in Chavakuk 2:4 and a related comment in Makkot 24].

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Baruch she'Amar

Hi,


“We say, ‘Blessed is He who spoke, and the world existed.’

“This is the expression of the sages, who said many times, ‘It is revealed and known before the One who spoke and the world existed,’ along the lines of the verse (Tehillim 33:9), ‘He spoke, and it was.’

“It means that that via speech the world was created, without any exhaustion or any other action, as it is written (Tehillim 33:6), ‘The heavens were created at the word of Gd.’

“This is also the message of Bereishit Rabbah (12:10) that this world was created with the letter ה, as it is written (Bereishit 2:4), ‘These are the chronicles of the heavens and the earth, בהבראם – בה"א בראם.’ It means that just as ה is the easiest letter to produce, so He created the world without any exhaustion or strain.”

(Avudraham, Baruch She’Amar and Psukei d’Zimrah)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

A ninth day for Chanukah outside of Israel?

Hi,

"The Baal haIttim wrote: Why do we not celebrate nine days of Chanukah out of doubt, just as we celebrate nine days of Succot, keeping a ninth day because of uncertainty regarding the eighth day?

"He replied that it's because Succot is biblical, and the sages were strict regarding doubt for its observance since we no longer establish the calendar based on observation [of the moon]. Chanukah is rabbinic, though, and so the same sages who said to observe eight days of Chanukah are the ones who said to use the calculation of the molad [the moon's phase]."

(Avudraham, Chanukah)

[Note: I'm not clear on why he links the sfeika d'yoma [extra day of doubt] to a calculated calendar.]

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Moshe's employer

Hi,

In the Haggadah we say that HaShem saved us from Egypt Himself, ולא על ידי שליח, without an emissary.

This triggers an obvious question: Wasn't Moshe HaShem's emissary?

The Avudraham explained: HaShem actually performed the miracles, so Moshe was not HaShem's emissary. Moshe's role was as emissary of the Jews to Paroh.

Perhaps this helps explain why Moshe was so concerned that the Jews believe him - because they were really the ones sending Moshe. They had called out to HaShem for help, and this was the help, sent at their request. Therefore he needed their confidence; had they not trusted Moshe, the redemption could not have happened.

Have a great day,
Mordechai