Rabbi's Blog

Dear OZ family,

The 1^st Temple was completed just before Yom Kippur and Tanach relates that King Solomon celebrated this achievement for two weeks (Melachim Aleph 8:65). Divrei Hayamim Bet (7:10) relates that these two weeks of celebration  ended on the 23^rd of  Tishre. Our sages understood this to mean that the Temple celebrations overrode the prohibitions of eating and drinking on Yom Kippur, since the 10^th of Tishre falls within those two weeks (Moed Katan 9A). The logic was based on the 12 consecutive day celebration for the completion of the Mishkan in the desert (B’midbar chapter 7). Each of those days was marked by an individual sacrifice by the head of each tribe, and it is obvious that over 12 consecutive days, that at least one person would be violating Shabbos with his individual sacrifice. While communal sacrifices are offered on Shabbos, individual offerings are not. Yet in the celebration for the Mishkan this was done.

Our sages say that it would be a descendant of Yosef that would have the privilege of the Shabbos sacrifice, because Yosef refused to commit adultery with Potiphar’s wife. The prohibition of adultery is the 7^th Mitzva of the Decalogue, and Yosef’s descendant, Elishama ben Amihud merited offering his sacrifice on the 7^th day of the week as reward. These 12 offerings were individual sacrifices for an itinerant Mishkan in the desert, and warranted the violation of Shabbos. The Temple celebration involved the entire nation, for the construction of a Temple that would always maintain its holiness (even after its destruction). Surely this should warrant an override of Yom Kippur, which is not considered as holy as Shabbos. This was King Solomon’s logic. The joy of such a momentous occasion warranted such celebration form the entire nation.

In truth, Yom Kippur is considered a joyous occasion. The Mishna (Ta’anit 4:8) considers Yom Kippur to be one of the happiest days of the year. Rabbenu Yona explains the Mitzva to eat on Erev Yom Kippur as a function of connecting Simcha to Yom Kippur, as we always associate joy with eating and drinking. The opening line of the Kol Nidre service proclaims:  “Light is sown for the righteous and the upright of heart, gladness”. May our prayers on this holy day assure us all a year of health, success and prosperity. May our kind deeds and Mitzvot shine a path of joy and gladness that will take us successfully through 5782.

Please join me in wishing Mazel Tov to Josh and Melanie Balkin on the birth of their daughter, Tikva Chaya. Also, happy birthday to Helen Gross, who has been a member of OZ for over 70 years. She is the epitome of grace and kindness and we wish her continued health and nachas from her wonderful family. G’mar Chatima Tova to all.

Be well.   Be healthy.    Be excellent.

Rabbi Allen Schwartz    

Rabbi Allen Schwartz

Congregation Ohab Zedek

118 West 95^th Street | New York, NY  10025-6604

Phone 212.749-5150, ext 200 | Fax 212.663-3635

E-mail ras@ozny.org

Website:  www.ozny.org