Sukkot: Returning to the Land

by Rav Zalman Baruch Melamed, translated by Sharona Cohen

A Generation with Light

The Sukkot holiday is full of mitzvot (good deeds), including the mitzvah of the lulav, the four species. Our Sages say that the four species are similar to weapons - the lulav is similar to a sword, or perhaps a rifle, the etrog maybe to a grenade. In any event, the Sages intend to tell us that there are spiritual wars and there are physical wars, and Man in this world must confront various pests and ward them off.

Torah from Bet El: Vayikra

Kabbalistic Twist on Vayikra

Baruch Gordon looks in the Kabbalah to discover why the last letter of the first word of this week's Parshat Vayikra is smaller than the others. (Hint: it has to do with the Land of Israel)

Torah from Bet El: Vayakhel

How Is Living in the Diaspora Idolatry?

Baruch Gordon examines the two rectifications of idolatry: Shabbat and the Land of Israel.

Torah from Bet El: Ki Tisa

 Then the Tabernacle, Now the Land

Baruch Gordon discusses the campaign found in Ki Tisa for the building materials to construct the Tabernacle and Sanctuary, and tells how we can participate in like construction today.

Torah from Bet El: Tetzave

 How Temple Laws Apply to Modern Israel

Baruch Gordon uses one of the laws of the Temple found in Parshat Tetzave to teach something insightful about the building of the modern State of Israel.

Torah from Bet El: Teruma

Is It Time to Rebuild the Temple?

Baruch Gordon explains the order in which Redemption must take place, and how we will know when the time has come to rebuild the Temple.

Torah from Bet El: Mishpatim

The Morality of Conquest

Baruch Gordon probes the question of how it can be "moral" for the Jewish People to have entered the Land of Canaan, killed its inhabitants, conquered the Land, and called it the Jewish homeland.

Torah from Bet El: Vaera

The Land Brings It All Together

Baruch Gordon looks at the Torah's language of redemption, which refers to the three-step process of the Exodus, the Torah, and the Land (of Israel).

Torah from Bet El: Bo

Why Jewish Holidays Are Celebrated Differently In Israel & Diaspora

Baruch Gordon looks at the concept of keeping two days of a holiday outside of the Land of Israel and keeping one day inside the Land of Israel. What is the deeper implication of this distinction and how can we apply the lessons to our lives today?

Torah from Bet El: Shmot

What Israel Does to Your Mind

Baruch Gordon looks at the promise that Hashem made to Moshe about the Land of Israel and considers what it means for us today.

Torah from Bet El: Vayechi

The Proper Diaspora Mindset

Baruch Gordon looks at why prophecy was taken from Yaakov when he tried to share the secret of the date of the Redemption and deduces what should be the mindset of a Jew in the Diaspora.

 

Torah from Bet El: Vayeshev

Secrets of the Return to Zion in the Story of Yoseph

Baruch Gordon looks at the story of Yosef to find out his secret in bringing the Mashiach ben Yosef. He discusses a teaching of the Vilna Gaon, who shares a remarkable insight into the powerful character of Yosef and how his example inspires us today in the Land of Israel.

Torah from Bet El: Vayishlakh

 The Importance of Purchasing Land in Israel

Baruch Gordon looks at the story of Yaakov returning to Israel after being abroad, and his purchase of a field. Why does the Torah bother to tell us about this purchase and what is its significance for us today? Watch the video to find out.

Torah from Bet El: Vayeitze

How Can Jews Know When To Return To Israel?

Baruch Gordon looks at the story of Yaakov and Lavan to get the Torah's perspective on when Jews should return to the Land of Israel in modern times. In light of recent anti-Semitic attacks, the lesson we can take away from Yaakov and Lavan's exchange is especially timely.

Torah from Bet El: Toldot

Shared Power of Circumcision & the Land

Baruch Gordon looks at the Torah reading Toldot to uncover the unique power of circumcision and what it teaches us about the Holy Land. He closes with the Sandak’s mysteriously powerful blessing.