יום א Date: 28 Adar II, 5774 (3/30/14) – Sukkah#55 {Tani}

Please Keep in Mind & Our Learning is dedicated to – the Yartzeit of Dr. Howard Guterman, *TONIGHT* the 29th Adar II (March 31st):
Chaim Yitzchak ben Michoel Shlomo – May his Neshama Have an Aliyah…

Full of BULLS –

Gemarah [55b middle]: 70 bull sacrifices were brought throughout Sukkos to atone for the sins of the seventy nations of the world. This was done to beseech Hashem for rain to sustain the world. On the eighth day, one single bull was brought as well. This was special to represent the Jews. [There is the parable of a King that had a major feast made by all his servants. On the final day, he asked only his closest servant to make him a small feast, as he was his most beloved servant. He wanted to enjoy his sole presence most, just as Hashem does with His chosen people.]

T’s Lesson#1: We should always remember how precious and beloved we are to Hashem. We, the Jewish people, are his most precious servants. However, we must not forget that every single human being is one of Hashem’s creations and they all deserve to be treated as creatures of G-d. We brought bulls for all the nations of the world (even the ones who did not like the Jews at all). We must be respectful of everyone around the world, especially if we live in their (foreign) land.

T’s Lesson#2: The Jews are supposed to be a “light unto the nations” and a model example of how to live a moral life. If, G-d forbid, we fail to show the non-Jews how to live, then we must bring atonement for them as well (because we did not set a proper precedent). Live “by the Book,” and be an exemplary model for the world to follow.