Sukkos With Rabbi Mendel Kaplan

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Two for the Dough~ TOM’S TALMUD TISCH: The Etrog, Part Six. Masechet Sukkah, Chap. 3, Page 35a-b

Nov 18, 2024

1:14:55

In Leviticus 23; 40 Moses conveys the Torah's commandment: "On the first day [of the Festival of Sukkot] you must take hold for yourself... Fruit of the Beautiful Tree..." This in-depth mini-series focuses on portions of Masechet Sukkah that record teachings of our Sages about the Etrog. First focusing on deciphering the Torah's deliberate use of enigmatic language and then highlighting other issues that crop up regarding ensuring the Kashruth of this organic Mitzvah item! In these presentations the words of our Sages are richly illuminated by earlier manuscripts and layered commentaries of the medieval, classic, and modern era. Episode Six: "TWO FOR THE DOUGH" After documenting the biblical sources to identify the Beautiful Fruit mentioned in the Torah as an Etrog (Citron), we began to clarify the legal status of unfit specimens. In the previous Episode we focused on the Prohibited Produce known as Orla, first yields of fruit that are biblically prohibited. This led us into rules and regulations Second Tithe that we must consume in the Holy City of Jerusalem, although it may not technically belong to us. In continuing our quest to better understand the Etrog, we further explore the Second Tithe Connection, which takes into a question of two doughs: Matzah vs Challah! In typical Talmudic fashion, we seek Intergenerational Attribution which forces us to revisit old questions: is it Legal Permission or Cash Value that will determine reality? Here, quite incredibly ruling principles of Sukkot Etrogim, Second Tithes eaten in Jerusalem, Passover unleavened observances, and Cohanic Gifts all converge! This is the Sixth segment of an ongoing Talmud Series on The Etrog.

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"Forbidden Fruit" ~ TOM’S TALMUD TISCH: The Etrog, Part Five. Masechet Sukkah, Chap. 3, Page 35a

Nov 18, 2024

1:03:04

In Leviticus 23; 40 Moses conveys the Torah's commandment: "On the first day [of the Festival of Sukkot] you must take hold for yourself... Fruit of the Beautiful Tree..." This in-depth mini-series focuses on portions of Masechet Sukkah that record teachings of our Sages about the Etrog. First focusing on deciphering the Torah's deliberate use of enigmatic language and then highlighting other issues that crop up regarding ensuring the Kashruth of this organic Mitzvah item! In these presentations the words of our Sages are richly illuminated by earlier manuscripts and layered commentaries of the medieval, classic, and modern era. Episode Five: "FORBIDDEN FRUIT" Having completed documentation of the biblical sources that identify the Etrog (Citron) as the Beautiful Fruit mentioned in the Torah, we moved on to clarifying the legal status of Unfit Etrogim -- beginning with details that disqualify. The first item was the status of an Etrog harvested from an Oracle Tree that was idolatrously worshipped, or the fruit hailing from a "Forbidden City" that has become corrupted by mass idolatrous rebellion. Following the resolution of those issues, in this new Episode we move on to the Prohibited Produce known as Orla, the first three yields of fruit that are Biblically Blocked from use. This similar, yet different form of contraband merits unique analysis, and the development of independent jurisprudence or legal logic to clarify the cause for disqualification. Colloquially speaking; To Be, or Not to Be… is that a question of Consumption, or is the issue at hand linked to conceptual legalities of Ownership and Monetary Value? Finally, will laws governing Sacred Cohanic Food, and Second Tithe Differentiation, in the Holy City of Jerusalem, play pivotal roles in our quest for comprehension? This is the fifth segment of an ongoing Talmud Series on The Etrog.

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IN ORGANIC WE TRUST

Aug 28, 2023

1:04:29

Talmud Tractate Sukkah Chap. 3, Page 35a , Over the past three Episodes, we've dug deeply into scriptural soil to uncover biblical roots on the identity of the Torah's Beautiful Fruit. Multiple endeavours employed a garden variety of fertile methods, as we radically redefined botanical beauty. After navigating the hazards of identifying the species and genus of the Kosher Citron, we move onto the need to locate one! And, surprisingly enough, Fruit of Trees Worshipped becomes the first major issue to require clarification. Simply stated: would using an Etrog plucked from an Oracle, or harvested from a Forbidden City amount to an ill-fated attempt at performing a Mitzvah, or would we say that as long as you we're well intentioned -- the details don't count that much? This is the fourth segment of an ongoing Talmud Series on The Etrog.

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THE WAY OF WATER

Aug 28, 2023

1:01:56

Talmud Tractate Sukkah Chap. 3, Page 35a , Having dug into the scriptural strata to uncover biblical roots on the identity of the Torah's Beautiful Fruit, we've already hit paydirt twice! In "THE WAY OF WATER," our third Episode of the series we will move on to radically Redefined Beauty and eventually end up a Creek in Greek! In our immediate past Episode, the hunt for a Positive ID on the Torah’s Mystery Fruit had us linking harvest biodiversity and sheepish commonality. Here we find an alternative method, which isn't that different etymologically speaking. We begin by revealing a new dimension of Botanical Beauty that's born out of the same continuous dwelling we've already alluded to. A final and even more innovative reading takes in kindred but different direction. This approach will lead us to go with the flow of all waters. Or in plain Greek, we seem to be heading up a Creek!

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THE FRUIT HUNTERS

Aug 14, 2023

1:09:19

Talmud Tractate Sukkah Chap. 3, Page 35a , In Leviticus 23; 40 Moses conveys the Torah's commandment: "On the first day [of the Festival of Sukkot] you must take hold for yourself... Fruit of the Beautiful Tree..." Using cryptic language, the scripture does not clearly identify the fruit it speaks of. This in-depth mini-series focuses on the page in Masechet Sukkah that records the teachings of our Sages about this very question. Here, the Talmud sets out to solve the mystery of the enigmatic Etrog's ID once and for all! To be sure, our sacred oral tradition has always identified it as the Citron, yet is there any proof for this in the biblical text itself? The words of our Sages are richly illuminated by the multi-layered commentaries of the medieval and modern era. Episode Two: "THE FRUIT HUNTERS" Having successfully completed round one of the quests to identify the biblical roots the Torah's Mitzvah Fruit, the hunt continues as we seek out additional messages encrypted into the text of the Scripture. In an interesting twist, now Gathering Fruit becomes like Cornering Animals! While last time around it was botanical beauty linked to fruit tree taste symmetry, the search for a Positive ID on the Torah’s Mitzvah Fruit now looks pasts photosynthesis parallels and instead chooses to focus on sheepish commonality. Can the range of cyclical diversity found in a common Sheep Pen be reflective of a Tree’s Harvest biodiversity and will seasonal overlap become a most telling feature?

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THE BEAUTIFUL TRUTH

Aug 7, 2023

1:24:33

Talmud Tractate Sukkah Chap. 3, Page 35a , In Leviticus 23; 40 Moses conveys the Torah's commandment: "On the first day [of the Festival of Sukkot] you must take hold for yourself... Fruit of the Beautiful Tree..." Using cryptic language, the scripture does not clearly identify the fruit it speaks of. This in-depth mini-series focuses on the page in Masechet Sukkah that records the teachings of our Sages about this very question. Here, the Talmud sets out to solve the mystery of the enigmatic Etrog's ID once and for all! To be sure, our sacred oral tradition has always identified it as the Citron, yet is there any proof for this in the biblical text itself? The words of our Sages are richly illuminated by the multi-layered commentaries of the medieval and modern era. -------- Episode One: We open with some serious digging in the sands of history to first address the white elephant in the room: is the ID of this Mitzvah Fruit really rooted in Biblical Soil, or is it (as some academics have recently claimed) but a later a Rabbinic Transplant? A careful look at the precise language employed in the scriptural syntax seems to link botanical beauty with tasty symmetry. In highlighting a unique Fruit/Bark corollary there seems to be an easy method to obtain proof positive ID of the Beautiful Fruit. Yet in our quest for unequivocal definition, we encounter the range of vegetative diversity flavouring life in Israel. And the matter seems far from resolved. Undaunted, the Talmud will persist, and, in the end, it’ll be size that matters most in solving this Mitzvah Mystery!

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SUKKAH DOOR WAYS

Sep 25, 2022

1:00:47

TALMUD Tractate Sukkah pg 7a Lesson Thirty-Two In the previous Episode we address the placements of conceptual third - albeit mostly non-literal - barrier that can be employed to complete a legally valid Sukkah enclosure. Pushing the envelope on the creation of this third theoretical partition to effectuate Halachik Sukkah status we were introduced to an "Alley Sukkah" primarily comprised of only two parallel walls. Now, in addition to the placements of an incomplete minimal barrier, our Sages moved the binding completion of this theoretical enclosure by virtue of a Doorway Formation!

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BROKEN WALLS

Sep 19, 2022

1:09:49

TALMUD Tractate Sukkah pg 7a Lesson Thirty-One In the previous Episodes we established the Scripture Sources for governing Sukkah principles in a variety of different ways. Having completed the source tracing for Sukkah Walls minimums, in this new Episode the Talmud now addresses the possible placements of those incomplete barriers. This will clarity the extent of the liberties we may take in extended the theoretical partitions to effectively create a Halachik Sukkah. Finally, a discussion about the maximum allowance of barrier breakage that wouldn't interfere with the Kashruth of the Sukkah?

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CRACKING THE PROPHETIC CODE

Sep 11, 2022

1:10:37

TALMUD Tractate Sukkah pg 6b Lesson Thirty In the previous Episode we sought Scripture Sources for rules governing the Sukkah itself, and the differing opinions about the minimum partition requirements. In deciphering those sources, we encountered differing methodologies of expounding biblical verses. Which is most authoritative: the written word or its vocalization? The answer to this question makes all the difference. In this Episode we continue the quest, by seeking alternatives methods to trace the Scriptural Sources for the Sukkah's Surroundings with variations of deciphering the same Prophetic Code that minimize dissent! While there isn't a practical difference and the ultimate destination is same, in true Talmudic fashion we identify various scenic routes to navigate our way there! Rabbi Mendel Kaplan

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SUKKAH SOURCE CODE

Sep 4, 2022

1:01:21

TALMUD Tractate Sukkah pg 6b Lesson Twenty-Nine In the previous Episode we learnt about the Halachik Theory behind seemingly "Hollow Walls" that can satisfy the legal requirements to create a Mitzvah entity called Sukkah! The actual minimum number of partitions required for a Makeshift Shelter to be granted Legal Status remained a debate. In this Episode, as the quest for the possible reasons behind the different views ensues, we move to trace the Scripture Sources for the rules governing the Sukkah itself. In deciphering those very sources, we will be introduced to the differing methodologies of expounding the Torah’s statements in general. Is it the written tradition, or the vocalization that is most authoritative? The answer this question will invariably have great bearing on the way we define the Sukkah partition requirements as well. Ultimately the disparate Rivers of Rational all flow into the same Sea of Talmudic conclusion. The debate is only about how we navigate our way there!

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WALLED IN

Aug 21, 2022

57:28

TALMUD Tractate Sukkah pg 6b Lesson Twenty-Eight How do I know if my Sukkah is a properly partitioned structure? This Episode features a discovery of The Halachik Theory that stand behind the seemingly "Hollow Walls" that serve to satisfy the minimum legal needs to create the Mitzvah entity called a Sukkah! We place great emphasis on Tracing Sources, e.g., identifying the scriptural origins of the rules and strictures that govern the particulars of any given Mitzvah observance. When no verse is found, we understand the source must be an "Oral Sinai Tradition." This initiates a fascinating journey, from the dimensions of the Legendary Ark of the Covenant to the to the sweep of the Cherubic wingspan and its relative heights. Then, we'll be introduced to jurisprudence behind the theoretical, yet legally binding Extensions, Attachments and Curved Walls that can complete our Holiday Huts. Finally, we move on to new business: the minimum number of partitions required for a Makeshift Shelter to be granted Legal Status. Here too, there's a debate on minimalist requirements. A quest for the possible reasons behind the different views will follow.

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Have We Been Dancing Since Antiquity Did The Patriarchs & Moses Dance On Simchat Torah

Oct 9, 2020

1:06:37

Were Hakafot held in Ancient Times? Did our Patriarchs, Moses, Kings David and Solomon really Dance on Simchat Torah? Here’s how we can best view Tomorrow via Yesterday!

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Why We Whack Willows On Hoshana Rabba Bringing Sukkot To Its Climax Sweetening Judgement!

Oct 8, 2020

1:15:11

! Unplugging the Great Willow Whack: Digging Deep in the soil of Torah tradition to uncover the Origins, Meanings, and Relevance in Ancient Temple Plant Parades that lead to Modern Synagogue Willow Whacking!

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Our Season Of Joy What In Heaven Are We Celebrating At Simchat Beit HaShoeva!

Oct 7, 2020

59:48

Drawing Joy! Defining Simchat Beit HaSho’eva: The Seasonal Sukkot Celebration that Poured Happiness out of a Bucket in the Beit HaMikdash, and why that’s revelevant today!

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Organically One Discovering Four Kinds That Collectively Equal One!

Oct 7, 2020

1:18:04

How The “Four Kinds” we are commanded to take on Sukkot naturally add up to One. This class Reveals the deepest Mitzvah Meaning and Motifs!

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Absolute Immersion And The Nature Of Separation

Oct 7, 2020

1:04:42

TALMUD Tractate Sukkah pg 6 a-b Lesson Twenty-Seven The Naked Truth on Absolute Immersion and the Nature of Separation. Sources of Skin Separations from Purifying Waters!

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Made In The Shade Discover Dark Secrets Of The Sukkah Covering A.K.A. Schach!

Oct 1, 2020

1:17:45

Decoding the deeper meaning of Sukkot and revealing the dark Secrets of the Schach by viewing them through the illuminating prism of Chassidus!

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Sukkah Secrets! Sources And Origins. Seasonal Celebration. Mitzvahs Meaning And Motif!

Oct 1, 2020

1:29:59

The Sukkah, built under Open Skies was designed to Open Our Minds, Uplift Our Hearts and Set Our Souls Free!

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TALMUD Tractate Sukkah - Holy Land Measures!

Sep 30, 2020

1:01:27

TALMUD Tractate Sukkah Pg6a Lesson Twenty-Six ! Olive, Date & PomegranateSeeing How the Seven Species of Eretz Yisrael Size-Up for Sanctity!

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TALMUD Tractate Sukkah - Discovering The Fruity Measures Of A Holy Land!

Sep 22, 2020

1:00:17

TALMUD Tractate Sukkah 6a Lesson Twenty-Five Discovering the Fruity Measures of a Holy Land! Our seasonal study-series on Talmud is now focused on Sukkot and its defining Holiday Hut. This class is focused on how the Seven Species of Eretz Yisrael Size-Up —in relations to the Heights of Sukkah!

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TALMUD Tractate Sukkah - Can Fruit Of The Land Be Made To Measure

Sep 16, 2020

1:09:50

TALMUD Tractate Sukkah Lesson Twenty-Four Can Fruit of the Land be Made to Measure? Discovering how the Seven Species of Eretz Yisrael Size-Up!

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TALMUD Tractate Sukkah Lesson Twenty-Three - High Holy Hollow, Or Sacred Shelter

Sep 7, 2020

1:03:35

TALMUD Tractate Sukkah Lesson Twenty-Three , ? Eyes on Sanctuary Ceilings and Winged Cherubic Space! Our seasonal study-series on Talmud is now focused on Sukkot and the Heights defining Holiday Hut

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TALMUD Tractate Sukkah Lesson Twenty-Two - Seeing Faces Of Angles, Or Cherubic Faces?

Aug 31, 2020

56:49

TALMUD Tractate Sukkah Lesson Twenty-Two Pg 5b , ? The Talmud on Sukkot and the Heights of its defining Holiday Hut! Practical lessons we can learn from the Flying Heavenly Angles and Winged Golden Cherubim?

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TALMUD Tractate Sukkah Lesson Twenty-One - How High can You Get in the Sukkah

Aug 23, 2020

50:19

TALMUD Tractate Sukkah Lesson Twenty-One Decorative Royal Rim or Table Top Frame? Judaism’s Kingly Gold Table as a Source of Sacred Shelter Size. Plus let’s just Face it, and a Monster Bird too!!

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TALMUD Tractate Sukkah Lesson Twenty

Aug 17, 2020

58:29

 (Pg 5a) Discovering The Heights Of Our Holiday Hut! Should we, the Jewish People be Seeking Sources for Holy Heights in Rome, and is the Kohen Gadol’s Gold Diadem in the Vatican today?

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TALMUD - Tractate Sukkah Lesson Nineteen Taf/Page 5A

Aug 9, 2020

43:20

 Sukkah Size and Sacred Sanctuary Items

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Organic Oneness

Oct 18, 2019

23:00

Ma'amer Moment: Sukkot Organic Oneness: A deeper look into the intrinsic nature of our Sukkot Observances! מאמר ד״ה ולקחתם לכם 5744-1983

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Synthesis of Smoke and Fire

Oct 16, 2019

30:24

Ma’amer Moment: Sukkot ~מאמר ד״ה בסוכות תשבו ~ 5741-1980 Synthesis of Smoke and Fire ~ How Yom Kippur Korbanot are Distilled into Sukkot Shelter

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Sukkah Size by Heavenly Heights!

Oct 6, 2019

39:29

Talmud Tractate Sukkah Lesson Eighteen Sukkah Size by Heavenly Harmony

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Virtual Angles vs. Actual Walls

Sep 22, 2019

45:41

TALMUD Tractate Sukkah Lesson Seventeen Virtual Angles vs. Actual Walls Creative Ways to Create a Happy and Kosher Hut that’s fit for the Holiday!

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Shades of (Virtual) Reality: Creating Shelter —Theoretically!

Sep 13, 2019

57:36

TALMUD Tractate Sukkah Lesson Sixteen Shades of (Virtual) Reality: Creating Shelter — Theoretically! In our previous lesson we learned about opposing schools of thought regarding the application of the halachik maxim “Gud Asik” (the theoretical extension of an incomplete partition into a fully walled area) thereby creating an “enclosure” that satisfies Sukkah requirements. Due to the opaque nature of the example illustrating the different opinions, one Sage (Rav Huna) uniquely defined the nature of the dispute. Here, the Talmud effectively disproves his supposition; ultimately providing remarkable clarity regarding the theorem of these virtual partitions. (Talmud tractate Sukkah 4b)

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Highs’ and Lows’ of Our Happy Holiday Huts

Sep 6, 2019

45:29

TALMUD Tractate Sukkah Lesson Fifteen Highs’ and Lows’ of Our Happy Holiday Huts...

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Four Species Bound

Sep 28, 2018

17:14

Ma’amer Moment: Sukkat יום ב' דחג הסוכות, ה'תשמ''ד ~ולקחתם לכם ביום הראשון פרי עץ הדר כפות תמרים~ "Four Species Bound” From Chasidic perspective, the 4 kinds together all project profound oneness.

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Season of Rejoicing

Sep 27, 2018

16:19

“Season of Rejoicing” Why the festival of Sukkot places greater emphasis on the need to rejoice! Deuteronomy 16:11

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Name That Sukkah

Sep 27, 2018

17:35

“Name That Sukkah” Discover why these holy days, dedicated to G-d, carry the name Sukkot. (Leviticus 23:34)

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Awe Transforms to Joy

Sep 23, 2018

21:41

"Awe Transforms to Joy” How the rejoicing of Sukkot arises from the Days of Awe that precede it.

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Ma’amer Moment: Cloudbusting

Sep 21, 2018

30:10

Ma’amer Moment: Sukkat ~’מאמר ד״ה בסוכות תשבו וכו׳~5741 - 1980 "Cloudbusting" See how Yom Kippur’s proverbial clouds of incense become Sacred Sukkah shelter.

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Sukkah: I’m Diggin’ It

Sep 14, 2018

40:44

TALMUD: Tractate Sukkah Lesson Fourteen “Sukkah: I’m Diggin’ It” How to dig deep to make a Sukkah kosher?

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Sukkah Rescue Reno

Aug 24, 2018

49:40

TALMUD: Tractate Sukkah Lesson Thirteen "Sukkah Rescue Reno" Structural additions and creative walls keep oversized Sukkah kosher.

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What Matters?

Aug 17, 2018

56:53

TALMUD: Tractate Sukkah Lesson Twelve "What Matters?" Sukkah too tall or too small? Some sizing structural strategies to keep your Holiday Hut kosher!

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Sukkah Size Matters

Aug 10, 2018

1:00:02

TALMUD: Tractate Sukkah Lesson Eleven "Sukkah Size Matters" Discover differing approaches to shrinking Sukkah size challenges!

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Home Alone IV (Finale)

Aug 3, 2018

58:37

TALMUD: Tractate Sukkah - Lesson Ten Home Alone Finale: Singular Sacred Spaces : The Talmud on the Sukkah’s “size and space” Learn the Talmud’s final analysis of the unique nature of Sukkah’s “size and space” vs. requirements for other shelters and dwellings. In the previous classes we engaged in comparisons between the Sukkah and other dwellings, ultimately redefining residences from both a biblical as well as rabbinical legal perspective. In this final analysis we examine Halachik huts, houses and courtyards to gain valuable insight into the unique nature of Sukkot’s ritual holiday hut; and along the way pick up information on a slew of mitzvah observance as well as Jewish civil law.

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Dancing With The Stars

Oct 10, 2017

29:29

"Dancing with the Stars” The meaning behind Dancing with the Torah instead of studying it! "I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that this is literally a fundamental teaching that we're gonna learn today..." (Rabbi Mendel Kaplan).

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Lulav Organic GPS

Oct 4, 2017

25:16

Why the Lulav and Etrog is best taken within the sacred Sukkah environment.

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Holiday Harvest

Oct 3, 2017

28:46

How the Holy Land’s old agricultural cycle still today characterizes our holidays!

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Temporary Permanence

Oct 2, 2017

24:17

Deciphering the paradoxical and oxymoronic spirit of the Sukkah.

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Home Alone III (Lesson Nine)

Sep 18, 2017

50:24

Home Alone III: Residences Redefined: The Talmud on a sukkah’s temporary constitution. The Talmud's previous analysis established distinctions between biblically ordained Halachic homes and a Sukkah. Now we must define when its character is man-made in nature, and biblical grammar is no longer in play. Our Sages delve deeply to clarify the legal definition of residences that sets the Sukkah apart based purely on jurisprudence and somewhat abstract legal theory. The newfound meaning of house vs. shelter reveals much about humans and their homes!

48

Home Alone Hypotheses (Lesson Eight)

Sep 18, 2017

45:01

Home Alone Hypotheses : The Talmud on a sukkah’s temporary constitution. Page 3b. After drawing a broad distinction between the multiple paradigms of permanent Halachic homes and the intrinsically transient Sukkah, the Talmud's narrative returns to the varied differentiations, found within the seemingly homogeneous list of legal residences. A careful analysis of their governing jurisprudence yields a profound new understanding of the underlying Torah principles to the Sukkah dynamic.

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Temporary Home Alone (Lesson Seven)

Sep 15, 2017

1:04:02

Temporary Home Alone: The Talmud on a sukkah’s size: As the discussion regarding Sukkah size continues to evolve, the Talmud embarks on a broad overview of nearly a dozen mitzvah dimensions whose common denominator is the inclusion of a home as a key component. This wide-ranging legal litany ultimately serves to best frame a profound understanding of the Sukkah’s unique transient nature, which sets it apart from all other human dwellings and residential definitions.

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Sukkah Size Matters (Lesson Six)

Sep 11, 2017

1:03:45

Sukkah Size Matters: The Talmud on a sukkah’s minimum size. The Talmud continues its analytical discussion about divergent opinions regarding the required dimensions of the sukkah. As the careful analysis focuses on the specific syntax the Sages of the Mishnah employed; competing and even contradictory messages begin to emerge. In an unusual move, the resolution is found in a broader application of the different methodologies which ultimately manage to encompass both the size and possible settings.

Sukkos With Rabbi Mendel Kaplan

Sukkos With Rabbi Mendel Kaplan

More by Rabbi Mendel Kaplan