Friday, October 13, 2006

Daf Yomi - Sukkah 42- Lekavod Shabbos and Shemini Atzeres

The Gemara states that when the first day of Sukkos occurred on Shabbos, the lulav was taken for seven days in the Bais HaMikdash. The reason for this is because taking the lulav on the first day of Sukkos is of biblical origin and the Chachamim did not enact a decree to that would prohibit one from taking the lulav on Shabbos. It is noteworthy that the Gemara earlier states that one extends the lulav outward and inward to ward off harmful winds, and one raises them up and lowers them down to ward off damaging dews. Although on Shabbos all evil influences depart from our midst, in the time of the Bais HaMikdash there was a requirement to take the lulav on Shabbos. The Sfas Emes suggest that nowadays we do not take the lulav on Shabbos because Shabbos is a day of rest and the Jewish People only are required to battle with the evil forces during the week. The Shem Mishmuel suggests that the reason that they were required to take the lulav on Shabbos in the Bais HaMikdash was because the lulav represents daas, knowledge, and Shabbos itself is daas, and an excess of daas could be detrimental. Nonetheless, in the Bais HaMikdash there were many actions involved with the sacrifices, so there was no concern regarding the taking of the lulav.

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