Shabbos/ First Day Mincha/Hadlakas Neiros 6:28 PM Maariv 7:01 PM Zman Kiddush 7:27 PM
Shachris 8:30 AM Mincha 6:15 PM Maariv 7:26 PM
Candlelighting/Preparation can begin: 7:36 PM (50 minutes) 7:58 (72 minutes)
Second Day: Shachris 8:30 AM Mincha 6:20 PM Maariv 7:24 PM
Zman Melocho: 7:34 PM (50 minutes) 7:56 PM (72 minutes)
In regards to Simchas Torah- the shul will be following all of the protocols mandated by the Va'ad HaRabbonim. Their guidelines for Simchas Torah will be released shortly.
The shul would like to hold minyanim over Chol HaMoed if there is enough interest. Please reach out to Shloimy Benjamin at 443-761-4680 and let him know if you are would like to attend or to find out more information.
Good Shabbos and Yom Tov!
Dvar Torah
The Yom Tov of Sukkos is expressed through the mitzvos of the day, Sukkos and Lulav. While these two mitzvos have common themes, there seems to be a sharp contrast between the two. Lulav requires the finest fruits, הדר, while Sukkah is made from weaker material, דירת עראי. Additionally, Lulav includes all types, even רשעים, represented by the ערבה, while Sukkah represents the אושפיזין. Finally, Lulav can, and is even encouraged, to be taken around all day [see Sukkah 41b] - unlike most mitzvos which are ‘one and done’, while Sukkah, according to some Acharonim [see Minchas Chinuch 325] does not comprise of any intrinsic mitzvah, rather only requires one not to sit outside the Sukkah.
These factors seem to point to a critical difference between these two mitzvos. The mitzvah of Sukkah is an expression of סור מרע, to stay away and protect oneself from bad influences. It therefore requires no inherent beautification of any mitzvah item, and does not even encompass any inherent goodness, per se. It requires only to ensure that one receives their influence from good sources, such as the צדיקים, specifically the אושפיזין. The mitzvah of Lulav, on the other hand, is a sharp expression of עשה טוב, to take the goodness that Hashem has bestowed upon us [which can have a negative influence on the person – e.g. כוחי ועוצם ידי וכו'] and use it to serve Him. Therefore, not only is Lulav an ‘inherent mitzvah’ but it also requires a beautification of the mitzvah - since its whole purpose is to bring out the good in the bounty bestowed upon us. Accordingly, we bring the ערבה into the mix to bring out the good in the רשע as well.
The Maharal says in a few places that good is like a straight line, i.e. there is only one straight path; רע, however, can take on many corrupted forms. This fits well with the above concept that Lulav represents עשה טוב while Sukkah represents סור מרע. Good is straight, like the Lulav, but bad can come at us from all directions, and requires the protection of the Sukkah from all four sides.
Hopefully, after Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, we have a better understanding of what טוב is and what רע is. Although like a lonely thin line, true טוב is sometimes subtle and indiscernible, בעזרת השם through the process of תשובה we better appreciate and understand good when we see it. Through the merit of our תשובה, coupled with these two mitzvos and the mitzvah of ושמחת בחגך may we be זוכה to know between טוב ורע and be זוכה to הקמת סוכת דוד הנפלת.
Good Shabbos and Yom Tov!
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