Zmanim Erev Sukkos 5781 Lakewood, NJ ערב סוכות

               ופרוש עלינו סוכת שלומך

Friday, October 2, 2020 / י״ד תשרי תשפ״א ערב סוכות
Candle lighting 6:18 pm
Shkiah 6:36 pm

 יום טוב של חג הסוכות שחל בשבת, יש אומרים שצריך לאכול עוד כזית פת בשביל השבת

 יש אומרים שכזית הפת הנאכל בסוכה, צריך לאכול בלי לפתן ובלי שום תערובת, שכיון שלמדנו חיוב זה מכזית המצה של ליל פסח, ט''ו ט''ו מחג המצות

-No shaking lulav on Shabbos
-Yaknehaz second night kiddush

*A message from Rabbi Yisroel Reisman:* 

It is Erev Yom Tov. Even as I prepare for an enjoyable Yom Tov, I am worried about Klal Yisroel.

We are not doing well. We began Elul with so much hope. The pandemic had eased, the Yeshivos were reopening, we saw some hope on the American political horizon, the economy was improving and we had a general sense of optimism.

Now, just a few weeks later, so much has changed. Our community has been vilified, we once again hear of hospitalizations and ventilations, we wonder if Yeshivos will be able to open again and we fear for the health of our Godol HaDor.  And we worry about our brothers in Eretz Yisroel.

In a few hours, we begin Yom Tov. This year, with tumult all around us, we need to look at Succos differently.

Succos is the third of the Shalosh Regolim – our most joyous Yom Tov, Chag Simchaseinu. At the same time, it is the third of the Yomim Noraim, when our daily prayers of ‘Hosha na’ lead to Hoshanah Rabbah, a Yom HaDin.

In every Succos in my lifetime, the Chag Simchaseinu aspect has overshadowed the Yom HaDin aspect of the day. This year, I feel the Shas HaDin far more than the Simchas HaChag.

Succos is a time of avodah, of tefillah. Our tefillos need to be better, more intense and with kavanah. Shema and Shimone Esrei need to be said differently, understanding that we each have a private audience with Hashem. This year, ‘Hosha na’ will be said with only the chazan circling the bimah. As we stand in place, lulav in hand, let us close our eyes and concentrate. Let us resolve that it be the most meaningful ‘Hosha na’ tefilos ever.

‘Hosha na’ means ‘Help us – now’.

HaKadosh Boruch Hu, we beseech you. Just as these new challenges sprang upon us so quickly, so let them be relieved quickly. May the sick come home, the community’s positivity rate decline, the Chillul Hashem recede and, most importantly, when Yom Tov ends, may the little boys and girls once again get onto their Yeshiva busses.

And – let’s not forget, it is Chag Simchaseinu. Our tefillos highlight the joy of ‘Ata Vichartanu’ and includes the exhilarating tefilloh of ‘ha’aleynu b’simcha l’artzeinu’. We are grateful for what we have – our good health, comfortable homes and community of friends. And - our ability to once again spend a Yom Tov in Shul.  Thank you, Hashem.

HaKadosh Boruch Hu, we rejoice in the good you’ve given us. And we pray for more of it. For us and for all of Klal Yisroel.

Wishing everyone a meaningful Chag Simchaseinu.

Rabbi Yisroel Reisman 

Agudath Israel of Madison

"ושמחת בחגך והיית אך שמח"

 אומר הגאון מווילנא "המצווה הכי קשה בתורה היא
מצוות שמחה בחג סוכות, שבה חייב אדם לשמוח כל רגע ורגע במשך שבעה ימים ברצף" כתב האר"י ז"ל- הקב"ה מחלק בחג זה פרנסה לכל יהודי כפי שמחתו" ולכן חג סוכות ניקרא "חג האסיף" כי בחג זה אוספים שפע פרנסה לכל השנה! 

כותב הזוה"ק- המארח עניים בסוכתו מתברך בברכות רבות ע"י האושפיזין בעצמם!!!