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| Willow tree - ''Aravah'' |
The seventh day of Sukkot is called Hoshana Rabbah, and is considered the final day of the Divine “judgment” in which the fate of the new year is determined. It is the day when the verdict that was issued on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is finalized.
The Midrash tells us that G‑d told Abraham: “If atonement is not granted to your children on Rosh Hashanah, I will grant it on Yom Kippur; if they do not attain atonement on Yom Kippur, it will be given on Hoshana Rabbah.”
Isaiah says, “They seek Me day [after] day.” The Talmud explains that these two “days” refer to the day when the shofar is sounded [Rosh Hashanah] and the day when we take the willow [Hoshana Rabbah]—the day when the heavenly judgment begins, and the day when it concludes.
In addition, on Sukkot we are judged regarding how much rain will fall in the upcoming year. Thus, on Hoshana Rabbah, the final day of Sukkot, this judgment is finalized. Considering how much our wellbeing and economy depend on bountiful rainfall, it is clear how important this day is.
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Rain and Dew
The sporadic nature of rainfall represents the Divine attribute of Justice, which responds to us according to what we deserve. The mystical reason that rain is more plentiful at certain times is that the world goes through periods of being more and less deserving.
Dew represents the Divine attributes of Kindness and Generosity, giving with no consideration of worthiness. From G‑d’s perspective the worthy and the unworthy are equally valued. Thus, He gives at all times to all people, deserving or not. [Rabbi Lazer Gurkow]
7 comments:
I’m so sad and broken that Moshiach didn’t end up coming this Sukkos. Will we have to wait until Chodesh Nisan for the next possibility?
-Chaim
We have to expect Moshiach every day.
I read he will come on a reg day and when we are not expecting him Pple tend to expect moshiach to come on a yom tov which is not an ordinary day. The key word also is “ expecting “. There r 3 things that will come when we least expect it 1-scorpion 2- finding a lost object 3- last but not least the arrival of moshiach malky
That doesn’t mean that he won’t come when we are “expecting him”, like on Hoshana Rabah. Since he can come any day.
-Rochel
For Chaim, I am also sad and broken. Ad matai? Although I don't understand your reasoning. Moshiach can come on any day, except for Shabbat, (and if I'm not mistaken erev Shabbat).
There is an inyan of hitorerut shel mata, awakening from below, which causes an awakening from above. At least when someone says Moshiach has to come BY a certain time and he didn't, the ensuing disappointment is proof of genuine longing and anticipation and thus is itself hitorerut shel mata. When you say that, or ask if, Moshiach won't come UNTIL x event or time you are dampening your ratzon for Moshiach today, and thus there is less hitorerut shel mata.
L.L.
bs'd Could someone please explain this seeming contradiction: If we are supposed to await Moshaich every day, how can he come when we're not expecting him? Seems we're awaiting him every moment...
For Basya, the Rambam says that we have to anticipate Moshiach every day as one of the 13 Principles of Faith, so that is absolutely central. As to the apparent contradiction, I'm guessing that that is our obligation, but as it's hard to do that 24/7, he will come when we are distracted (in Hebrew, three things come b'hesech hadaat..., which means when you are distracted). And probably most of the time we are distracted, even if we think about it every day.
L.L.
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