Podcasts about succot

One of the fundamental principles of emunah is recognizing that when Hashem wants to help someone, He has endless ways of doing so. We naturally look for salvation through the avenues that we can see, but Hashem is never limited to those avenues. He can provide exactly what we need in ways we could never anticipate. A man related that his daughter needed a $20,000 loan toward the purchase of an apartment in Eretz Yisrael. His brother, who lived in Florida, generously agreed to lend her the money and planned to send it by wire transfer. This took place shortly before Yom Kippur, and the payment on the apartment was due shortly after Succot. After Yom Kippur, his daughter became concerned that the money still had not been transferred and asked her father to remind his brother. He spoke to him, and the brother assured him that he would take care of it soon. Succot arrived, and still no transfer. The daughter was feeling tremendous pressure. The payment deadline was approaching, and international transfers often take several days to clear. But her father refused to make additional calls during Chol HaMoed. "Hashem has His plans," he told her. "You'll get the money when you need it." Then came Simchat Torah and the tragic events of October 7. A few days later, the brother finally sent the money. The transfer took several days to reach Israel, and the dollars were converted into shekalim at the exchange rate that existed on the day the funds arrived. Before the war, the dollar had been trading at approximately 3.7 shekalim. But after the turmoil that followed, the dollar strengthened dramatically against the shekel. On the exact day the money reached the account, the exchange rate climbed to 4.06 shekalim per dollar, one of the highest rates in many years. As a result, the very same $20,000 produced approximately 7,000 extra shekalim. A week later, the exchange rate began falling again. Since the loan eventually had to be repaid in dollars, and the exchange rate later dropped significantly, she would need far fewer shekalim to repay the same amount. In effect, Hashem ended up giving her tens of thousands of extra shekalim toward her apartment at no cost. Looking back, it became clear that what initially appeared to be an annoying delay was actually part of a carefully orchestrated plan to help her in a way that nobody could have foreseen. A similar lesson can be seen from the following story. A representative traveling on behalf of Keren Olam HaTorah, which is raising money to support the yeshivot in Eretz Yisrael, related that due to government funding cuts and the challenges facing the Torah world, tremendous sums of money are needed to keep the yeshivot functioning. While visiting a certain city, he approached a wealthy individual and asked if he would host a gathering in his home. The man happily agreed. He offered to open his house and pay for all the food and expenses associated with the event. However, he made it clear that he did not intend to contribute any money toward the cause. Several days before the event, the wealthy man happened to be going through some old papers that had belonged to his grandfather, who shared the exact same name as he did. Among the documents, he discovered a decades-old letter from Rav Shlomo Wolbe addressed to his grandfather. Many years earlier, Rav Wolbe had helped arrange his grandfather's shidduch. Out of gratitude, the grandfather had sent Rav Wolbe thirty dollars. Rav Wolbe replied with a heartfelt letter thanking him, but explaining that he did not want to accept payment for helping with the shidduch. Instead, he wrote that there was a pressing need in Eretz Yisrael to support yeshiva students(it also mentioned difficulties with them being drafted to the army) and encouraged him to direct the money toward that cause. He added that if the donor wished to contribute more, it would be a tremendous zechut. The wealthy man sat there stunned. The letter was addressed to his own name. It was as if Rav Wolbe himself was speaking directly to him, urging him to support Torah students in Eretz Yisrael during a time of great need. He viewed it as a clear message from Hashem and proceeded to contribute an extraordinarily large sum. These stories teach us a powerful lesson. We often think that our livelihood, success, or financial assistance depends on specific individuals. We believe that if a certain person says yes, everything will work out, and if he says no, the opportunity has been lost. But that is not how Hashem runs the world. Hashem can make a delayed transfer become worth thousands more than an on-time transfer. He can arrange for a letter written decades ago to inspire a donation that seemed impossible only days earlier. He can provide assistance in ways that we could never imagine. Our job is to make a normal hishtadlut and trust in Him. Very often, when something appears to be delayed, blocked, or unavailable, we assume that help is not coming. In reality, Hashem may already be preparing something far better than what we had in mind. We must remember that the source of our salvation is never a person, a bank, a donor, an employer, or the market. The true Source is always Hashem, and His ability to help us is unlimited. When He decides it is time to send a blessing, it can arrive in ways that leave us standing in awe of His incredible hashgachah.

The mitzva of "simcha" is best achieved through gladdening those who need the extra support.

After returning the victor from his campaign against Midyan on the east bank, Gideon captures the two Midyan kings. He then confronts two Jewish towns to punish them for their refusal to help him

After Jesus healed the ten lepers only one came back to express his gratitude. This story in Luke's gospel teaches us that our worship cannot be separated from gratitude for what God has done for us. His instructions for celebrating during Succot highlight the ways we should rejoice and also avoid the pitfalls that keep us from expressing heartfelt thankfulness.

Succot means different things depending on who you believe yourself to be. For Jews, it is a remembrance of the time after the Exodus when God took them into the wilderness and they dwelt in tents. For most Christians it has very little significance. For Messianics, it has both historical meaning and prophetic significance. Historically, it is almost certainly when Christ was born. Prophetically, it may presage the Messianic Reign.

The Gemara discusses whether the Sukkah represents the Ananei HaKavod or physical huts. Rabbi Stark explains how not only were there actual clouds but they were clouds like you wouldn't believe.

The Rambam teaches the way to achieve genuine simcha, and highlights a powerful idea for Succot, Purim, and all year round.

La ocultación y la manifestación del Mesías en la fiesta de Succot (fiesta de las Tiendas).

Although the wall was complete, Jerusalem had yet to be rebuilt and populated. At Yom Terruah, the people gathered from the surrounding villages and Ezra read the Book of the Law aloud. The people, understanding the fall feasts, celebrated Succot at the appointed time and then gathered together to confess their sins in much the same spirit as Daniel 9. They then prepared to renew the covenant with God.

Thank you for listening, please go to StreamcastDetroit.com/donate and pledge your support for Let's Talk TorahEverything you wanted to know about Yom KipurJoin Rabbi Tzvi as discusses the who what why and how of Yom Kipur Thank you for listening, please go to StreamcastDetroit.com/donate and pledge your support for Let's Talk Torah

Thank you for listening, please go to StreamcastDetroit.com/donate and pledge your support for Let's Talk TorahEverything you wanted to know about SuccotJoin Rabbi Tzvi as discusses the who what why and how of Succot Thank you for listening, please go to StreamcastDetroit.com/donate and pledge your support for Let's Talk Torah

Nachum Segal interviews Steve Adelsberg about Succot in Israel and Peter Berkowsky about the minyan for the NYC Marathon runners and he presents great Jewish music, the latest news from Israel and Morning Chizuk with Rabbi Dovid Goldwasser.

Having travelled secretly to Jerusalem for Succot in order to avoid arrest, Y'shua made a very dramatic appearance on the last day. The high point of the day was the water pouring ceremony at the altar. There He announced that those who believed in him would have rivers of 'living water' flow from their hearts. He so startled everyone that the guards didn't arrest Him. He went on the following day to announce that He was the light of world. Both water and light are consistent themes beginning in Genesis. They also figure prominently on the last day of the feast.

Jewish communities in the Diaspora observe the eighth day of Sukkot as Shemini Aseret, and the ninth day as Simhat Torah. This is in contrast to the custom observed in Israel, where Shemini Aseret and Simhat Torah are observed together on the same day, the eighth day of Sukkot. It is customary to perform Hakafot on Simhat Torah, both in the night and during the day. Some Diaspora communities, however, have the custom to perform Hakafot on Shemini Aseret, as well. These Hakafot are generally held on the afternoon of Shemini Aseret, after Minha. The Hid"a (Rav Haim Yosef David Azulai, 1724-1806) disapproved of this practice, and held that it is improper to conduct Hakafot on Shemini Aseret. He wrote that if people perform Hakafot on Shemini Aseret, they will treat the Simhat Torah observance lightly, and not afford it proper respect. People might figure that since they already conducted Hakafot on Shemini Aseret, there is no need to celebrate on Simhat Torah. The Hid"a was therefore opposed to conducting Hakafot on Shemini Aseret, and insisted that Hakafot be held only on Simhat Torah. Others, however, disagreed. The Ben Ish Hai (Rav Yosef Haim of Baghdad, 1833-1909) wrote that nowadays there is, thank God, a good deal of awareness of and respect for Simhat Torah, and we therefore need not be concerned that people will disregard the Simhat Torah celebration. In his view, it is permissible and in fact admirable to conduct Hakafot on Shemini Aseret. This was also the opinion of Rav Yaakob Haim Sofer (1870-1939), in his Kaf Ha'haim (669:33). This is the view accepted by Hacham Ovadia Yosef, who ruled that it is entirely permissible to conduct extra Hakafot on Shemini Aseret, in addition to the regular Hakafot on Simhat Torah. Summary: It is customary to conduct Hakafot on Simhat Torah, both at night and by day. Nevertheless, there are communities that perform Hakafot also on Shemini Aseret, and although some authorities disapproved of this custom, the accepted Halacha is that this is a perfectly legitimate practice.

The Jewish Truth Bomb with Lenny Goldberg. Tanach Classes and Kahane Books at www.LennyGoldberg.com The Jewish Truth Bomb 21OCT2024 - PODCAST

Psalm 27 tells us that in the days of trouble, our Heavenly Father will hide us in his pavilion. The Hebrew word for that is suc and the plural of that is succot. We are in Florida with people from all over the USA who have come together to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacle or Succot. Our Heavenly Father has given us His feasts throughout the year to help us remember all that He has done for us and all the He is doing for us and all that He will do for us. This is a time of remembering and we are commanded to be joyful during this time. Truly, the crowd here has been very joyful and shalom reigns supreme. Blessings. Produced by Steve Rees - Calming Harp For donations to our projects click: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=XSTKYU9744WN2 Mail checks or Money Orders to: Steve Rees - 160-A Inland Beach Rd. - Lucedale, MS 39452 If you like what you hear please subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/peregrinnatti To find us on social media: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/peregrinnatti Calming Harp Page: https://www.facebook.com/Calming-Harp… If you would like to write a testimony of how this music has helped you email me at: steve@calmingharp.com To purchase CDs and MP3s go to our website: https://calmingharp.com/ To donate to the ministry of the Calming Harp: https://calmingharp.com/marketplace  Steve Rees has been producing Harp Music from the Psalms of David for the past 20 years. He has discovered a connection between the Hebrew text of the Psalms and music notes that develop into chord progressions that form the basis for musical compositions that have been appreciated by thousands of followers. We invite you to join the many lives that have been positively affected by this wonderful music.

Christians are celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles--we're not trying to become Jews--rather during the Millennium, all nations will visit Jerusalem to worship King Messiah. Christine Darg says Zechariah 14:16 is already beginning to be fulfilled!

The Gemara in Masechet Sukka (11b) brings two views as to whether the Misva of Sukka commemorates "Sukkot Mamash" – the actual huts in which our ancestors dwelled during the years of travel in the wilderness, or the "Ananeh Ha'kabod" – the miraculous "clouds of glory" which encircled them and granted them protection during this period. The Shulhan Aruch (Orah Haim 625) follows the second opinion, that our Sukkot commemorate the "Ananeh Ha'kabod." The Gaon of Vilna (1720-1797) famously clarified that the Misva of Sukka commemorates not the "Ananeh Ha'kabod" themselves, but rather the return of the "Ananeh Ha'kabod" after they had been taken away. Following the sin of the golden calf, Hashem decreed that Beneh Yisrael would be annihilated, but then rescinded the decree in response to Moshe's heartfelt pleas on the nation's behalf. However, the Gaon writes, even though Hashem rescinded this decree, He removed the "Ananeh Ha'kabod," the special clouds which expressed His special affection for the people and close relationship with them. But Beneh Yisrael then repented, and Moshe persisted in his prayers. Ultimately, on Yom Kippur, G-d announced His complete forgiveness, and the following day, Moshe relayed to the people G-d's instruction to donate materials for the construction of the Mishkan. The people generously donated over the course of the next several days, and then, on the 15 th of Tishri, when the artisans began constructing the Mishkan, G-d restored the "Ananeh Ha'kabod." It is this restoration of the clouds, the Gaon writes, that we celebrate on Sukkot. We celebrate the fact that even after the sin of the golden calf, G-d mercifully forgave us and even fully restored His relationship with us, to the extent that He returned to us the special clouds of glory. The Gaon answers on this basis the question of why Sukkot is celebrated specifically at this time of year. The "Ananeh Ha'kabod" encircled Beneh Yisrael and protected them throughout the year, and they were first given these clouds immediately after the Exodus from Egypt. Seemingly, then, there is no particular significance to the middle of Tishri as far as these clouds are concerned. Why, then, do we celebrate this Yom Tob at this time? The answer, the Gaon explains, is that on Sukkot we celebrate the return of the "Ananeh Ha'kabod" on the 15 th of Tishri. Rav Eliezer Waldenberg (Jerusalem, 1915-2006), in his Sitz Eliezer (vol. 15), raises the question of how to reconcile the Gaon's theory with a verse in the Book of Nehemya (9:19) which clearly states that the "Ananeh Ha'kabod" never left: "And You, in Your abundant compassion, never abandoned them in the desert; the pillar of cloud was never removed from them during the day to guide them along the path…" How can the Gaon claim that Hashem took away the clouds of glory following the sin of the golden calf, if the verse in Nehemya says explicitly that the clouds were never removed? Rav Waldenberg answered by noting that the verse in Nehemya speaks specifically of one particular function of the "Ananeh Ha'kabod" – to guide the people through the desert. The clouds served numerous other purposes, as well, protecting the people from the harsh elements, from wild animals and from enemies, and also making the ground comfortable and the terrain easily traversable. Accordingly, Rav Waldenberg writes, we may distinguish between the different clouds. As the verse in Nehemya says, the clouds that guided Beneh Yisrael through the desert never left, and it was only the other clouds which were taken from them and then returned once they began building the Mishkan. This insight shows us that Hashem will never forsake His beloved nation. Even after the sin of the golden calf, He did not leave them alone in the desert; He continued showing them the path forward, and allowed them to return to Him. We can never permanently sever our relationship with G-d, just as a child can never permanently sever His relationship with His parents. G-d is our father, and He will always remain with us, no matter what mistakes we have made. None of us have ever done anything as bad as the worship of the golden calf several weeks after beholding Hashem's revelation. If G-d did not forsake the people after that sin, we can rest assured that He will never forsake us, no matter what we have done, no matter how far we have strayed. Hashem will never reject any one of His precious children; He instead patiently waits for that Jew to return. This concept should inform the way we look at ourselves, and also the way we look at our fellow Jews. When we see someone who does not properly observe the Misvot, we must not reject him, or look upon him with disdain – because Hashem does not reject that person or look upon him with disdain. Hashem loves that individual and trusts in his capacity to improve – and so we should, as well. Just as G-d's love for us is unconditional, so must our love for all our fellow Jews be unconditional. Rather than focus on their faults and shortcomings, we should focus instead on their inner spark, on their potential for greatness, and shower them with love and compassion – just as Hashem does.

Nachum Segal presents:Harry Rothenberg's parsha vlog, great Jewish music, the latest news from Israel and Rabbi Benjamin Yudin to discuss Succot.

Sukkos is the synthesis of the things we committed to work on during the Yamim Noraim and how the Ushpizin help us to accomplish them.

Thank you for listening, please go to StreamcastDetroit.com/donate and pledge your support for Let's Talk TorahEverything you wanted to know about Yom KipurJoin Rabbi Tzvi as discusses the who what why and how of Yom Kipur Thank you for listening, please go to StreamcastDetroit.com/donate and pledge your support for Let's Talk Torah

Thank you for listening, please go to StreamcastDetroit.com/donate and pledge your support for Let's Talk TorahEverything you wanted to know about SuccotJoin Rabbi Tzvi as discusses the who what why and how of Succot Thank you for listening, please go to StreamcastDetroit.com/donate and pledge your support for Let's Talk Torah

This episode is in memory of Rabbi Israel Elia z"l. We look at the 3 festivals of Pesah, Shabuot and Succot and their significance in the Jewish calendar.

Just one Halacha on Sefirat Haomer. It is our custom, that Ladies do NOT count Sefirat Haomer. There's a great Machloket between the Sephardim and the Ashkenazim if ladies make a Beracha on Mitzvat Ase She Hazeman Gerama. Any Mitzvah that's bound by time, it's the Minhag of the Ashkenazim based on the Rabenu Tam to make a Beracha. For example, if a lady wanted to shake the Lulav on Succot, according to the Ashkenazim, she's allowed to shake the Lulav and the Etrog with the the Beracha, 'Asher Kedishanu Bemitzvotav Vitzivanu Al Netilat Lulav'. For the matter if she wanted to count Sefirat Haomer, she's not obligated, but she has the right to make it with the Beracha. However, the Sephardim that follow the opinion of Maran, when it comes to this, our ladies do not make a Beracaha. That's why there is another Halacha that says, for example, that if a person wants to eat within a half hour of the Omer, we explained many times its forbidden to sit down and start a meal of more than 2 ounces of bread within a half hour of the Haomer. But the Halacha does say if you have a Shomer, if you have somebody that's going to remind you to count, that you can start to eat, because you already set the Shomer, you set a safety net in motion in order to remind you so you won't forget. But the Halacha says that you can't let a lady be a Shomeret for you, because the lady is not obligated in the Omer, and therefore its not going to be on her mind since its not on the mind for herself. It's not going to be on her mind to tell others. So a lady would not be a Shomeret. You need somebody that's obligated in the Sefira as well, to designate him as a Shomer. Obviously, he cannot be eating with you. Because if he is eating with you, then he might forget himself, because he has the same problem, so therefore we're talking about a Shomer that's not eating with you, that he will be able to remind you. But, a lady, since she is not obligated, she cannot be a Shomeret. Compare that to Hilchot Shabbat. In Hilchot Shabbat we have a law that says a person is not allowed to read by the light of a candle. Because he might come to flicker the candle, and that's Asur on Shabbat. However the Halacha says that if he has somebody 9A Shomer) that's watching him to remind and prevent him if he is about to make the Isur, then its OK. A lady in that case can be a Shomeret. Since a lady is obligated in the laws of Shabbat just as the man is, so therefore its on her mind also, so then she can be the Shomeret. It is told a story, about Chacham Ezra Atia A"H, when he was young he used to learn on Friday nights by the light of the candle. His mother used to be the Shomeret. His mother used to be up into the wee hours of the morning in order that her son would be able to study the Torah with diligence.

The_Mystery_and_wonder_of_Succot___Rod_Bryant

Learning_the_lessions_of_Succot___Rabbi_Davud_Weissman

There have been many times over the generations that were considered to be auspicious for Mashiach to come. Whether or not Mashiach actually comes depends on us . Now is definitely one of those times. On Succot, we read the Haftarah of the War of Gog U'Magog and the Tur brings from Rav Hai Gaon, that it's because that war will start on Succot and תחיית המתים will be on Pesach. Rabbi Menashe Reisman quoted the Gemara which tells us that Shemini Aseret is called Succot regarding bringing the makeup korban for someone who missed it at the beginning of Succot. Hashem shook up the world on the last day of Succot and we are still in the middle of it. It says in Zachariah ( perek יד ) that a day will come when all the nations of the world will come to Israel for war. May Hashem protect us. Rabbi Meir Shapiro wrote, in his sefer אור המאור , over a hundred years ago, many hints that the year תשפד which we just began, is a potential year for Mashiach. One of the hints he brings is that in Mitzrayim during Makat Choshech, it was revealed to the Jews the same light that will appear in the days of Mashiach and it says there, ולכל בני ישראל היה אור במשבתם the word במשבתם is the same numerical value as תשפד . The Chafetz Chaim wrote, in his sefer Chomat HaDat , that just like the redemption in Mitzrayim took place after the Jews cried out to Hashem, like it says ונצעק אל ה , so too, in the future, the Jews will need to cry out Hashem to bring Mashiach. Hashem wants us to yearn for it and pray for it with all of our hearts. We all want Mashiach to come, but we don't want it to happen through a difficult war. What can we do to protect ourselves? The Chafetz Chaim once said, imagine if we could ask the great rabbis of yesteryear like the Ketzot HaChoshen, or the Netivot what we should do at a time like this. We would all be so excited to seek their counsel. Imagine if we were able to ask Maran Bet Yosef or the Rama what to do. We wish we had Rav Chaim Kanievsky here with us to ask him, but this would be a much greater opportunity. Imagine the Rif or the Rambam would come back into this world and we could ask them what to do. The Chafetz Chaim said we have something much greater than all of them. We have a great Tanna , Rebbi Eliezer HaGadol, who told us exactly what we need to do. The Gemara says in Masechet Sanhedrin (98,B) that the students of Rebbi Eliezer once asked their rabbi, what should a person do to be saved from the Hevleh Mashiach . The rabbi told them they should delve into the study of Torah and in acts of kindness, it does not say just to learn Torah and do acts of kindness, but rather a person needs to delve in Torah and delve into performing Gemilut Hasadim . Just like a businessman does not rest until he achieves success in his business, we have to go over and above in our learning Torah and worrying about other people's needs. A person can choose, when he gets home from work, to open up a sefer or a Gemara and try to break his head comprehending the deep wisdom of Torah- that is called delving in Torah. The Chafetz Chaim wrote, when someone knows that another person is angry at him, it hurts that person a lot . Being a peacemaker is a tremendous c hessed . Taking away negative feelings and allowing people to move on happily is a great form of c hessed . Giving someone c hizuk and taking away anxious feelings from his heart is also a great c hessed . Praying for someone is a great c hessed . We can help so much from wherever we are, with heartfelt prayers on behalf of others. At this time of difficulty, people from all circles are uniting in a common cause. We need unity for Mashiach to come. Maybe if we will accept upon ourselves to continue loving and helping others, who don't share the same philosophies as us, beyond this time, that would be a tremendous zechut . May we experience the great light of Mashiach B'Karov, Amen.

Re-posting a class from Succot 2020

In this episode, Shirley discusses how the Church is now in a time of unprecedented opportunities to be the primary, world-class influencer in nations and among people everywhere, and that means individual believers are positioned precisely...for such a time as this! God's dream includes your path of influence, and His vision is both wide and power-packed with demonstrations of His love for everyone,everywhere. Also, in this episode, Shirley proclaims the feasts of the Lord, especially His holy convocation of Succot, the Feast of Tabernacles in the Jewish year 5784. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and leave a review. We appreciate your support! Learn more at acleartrumpet.org/podcast Buy our book, "Running With Horses" at https://acleartrumpet.org/book/ And don't forget to follow us on social media:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shirleyweaverministries Twitter: https://twitter.com/shirleyweaver Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shirleyweaverministries/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@acleartrumpetwithshirleywe8090 Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/c-971807 Let us hear from you— questions, or comments. Email us at info@acleartrumpet.org and in the subject line write Podcast Question

The fall season brings with it the celebration of life and the harvesting of the produce that gives life. One of the Feasts of the Lord is the Feast of Tabernacles or Succot. It is a time to celebrate the promise of our Heavenly Father dwelling with us. Even the coming of the Messiah Yashua was a foretaste of that promise as the angel told Mary that he would be called Emmanuel which means "God with us." The two Psalms that remind us of this dwelling are Psalm 132 and 133. I include the music from those Psalms to help us appreciate the promise of His return. Blessings. Produced by Steve Rees - Calming Harp If you like what you hear please subscribe: www.youtube.com/peregrinnatti To find us on social media: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/peregrinnatti Calming Harp Page: https://www.facebook.com/Calming-Harp… If you would like to write a testimony of how this music has helped you email me at: steve@calmingharp.com To purchase CDs and MP3s go to our website: https://calmingharp.com/ To donate to the ministry of the Calming Harp: https://calmingharp.com/marketplace Steve Rees has been producing Harp Music from the Psalms of David for the past 20 years. He has discovered a connection between the Hebrew text of the Psalms and music notes that develop into chord progressions that form the basis for musical compositions that have been appreciated by thousands of followers. We invite you to join the many lives that have been positively affected by this wonderful music.

The Feast of Tabernacles is the one feast in which the children of Israel were commanded to rejoice for a whole week! It is also the feast that is prophesied to be celebrated by all the nations during the Messianic era. There is much symbolism found in the activities during the Feast of Tabernacles and is full of reasons for celebration.

This fascinating shiur from Rabbi Sacks explores the important link between Kohelet and Succot. With remarkable insights for the Jewish People as to what it is about the book of Kohelet (Ecclesiastes) that makes it such a relevant text for today's society. First delivered in London in 2016, to mark the launch of the Koren Sacks Succot Machzor, watch the full video here: https://www.rabbisacks.org/videos/lessons-of-kohelet/

What should a person look for when purchasing an etrog? First, one should be careful to purchase etrogim from an orchard which maintains a tradition that their etrogim are not grafted, as almost all halachic authorities invalidate grafted etrogim.Regarding the etrog itself, it is crucial to understand what is law, and what is custom, as many are unnecessarily strict when choosing an etrog. While examining an etrog, one should take the etrog, and hold it at the distance at which he would hold a sefer. He should turn the etrog slowly, and look at the top third of the etrog. If there are no visible black spots, during the first time he turns the etrog, the etrog is valid. If one finds black spots on the top third of the etrog, even on the neck of the pitom, the etrog is pasul (Shulhan Aruch 648:16). If, however, a black spot is found on the wooden part of the pitom, or the oketz, or under the top third of etrog, it is not considered to be "hadar" and it is not valid. At times, there are brown spots or scabs on the etrog.The Mishna Berura refers to these scabs as "blettlach." The etrog is sometimes bruised while still on the tree, and a small, brown "scab" grows over the bruise. These blettlach are not a problem and the etrog is kosher. The Klausenberger Rebbe once said that there are four things in Judaism which are meant to be "complete": emuna shleima (belief), teshuva shleima (repentance), refua shleima (good health), and geula shleima (redemption). He added that these four things are representing by the letters of the etrog: Emuna, Teshuva, Refua, and Geula. People strive to buy a perfect etrog, not only for the etrog's sake but for the sake of what it represents. Summary: When choosing an etrog one should ensure that there are no easily visable black spots on the top third of the etrog. Brown spots or scabs are permitted.

What does "simcha" have to do with Sukkos?

Succot 2023

"Our very existence depends on a delicate balance between too much and too little." A recording of the Succot broadcast by Rabbi Sacks on BBC Radio 4's Thought for the Day Programme, 28th September 2012. Find the transcript on our webpage: https://www.rabbisacks.org/archive/our-very-existence-depends-on-a-delicate-balance-between-too-much-and-too-little/