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SHABBAT READING
Is Kohelet’s Wisdom Vanity of Vanities?: Prof. Rabbi Marty Lockshin, The Torah.com, Sept. 2023 — The Mishnah (m. Yadayim 3:5) makes clear that the inclusion of Kohelet (Ecclesiastes) in the biblical Canon engendered more opposition than other biblical books.[1] Unfortunately, we don’t have a detailed record of the rabbinic discussions about Kohelet, pro and con, but hints survive.
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The Palm Frond and the Sword: Meir Y. Soloveichik, Commentary, October 2023
How Did Jews Celebrate Sukkot 2,000 Years Ago? Archaeology Offers Answers: Rossella Tercatin, Jerusalem Post, Sept. 20, 2021
Sukkot and Living in the Age of Insecurity: Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, Aish, no date
The Etrog: S.Y. Agnon, Tablet, Sept. 25, 2015
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FOR FURTHER REFERENCE:
What Is Sukkot?: Editors, Tablet, Oct. 1, 2009 — The year’s first harvest holiday, Sukkot celebrates the pilgrimage Jews made to the Temple in Jerusalem, bearing fruits and sacrifices.
Podcast: Peter Kreeft on the Philosophy of Ecclesiastes: Tikvah Podcast at Mosaic and Peter Kreeft, Sept. 24, 2021 — This week, Jews celebrate the holiday of Sukkot, during which it is traditional to read one of the most philosophically interesting books of the Hebrew Bible, Ecclesiastes.
The Happiness Warrior: Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz’s Blog, Oct. 8, 2020 — There’s an old Jewish joke that asks: what is the difference between a Jew and a Frenchman at a party? A Frenchman leaves and never says goodbye, but the Jew says goodbye and never leaves.
The Essence of Simchat Torah: Eva Robbins, Jewish Journal, Oct. 12, 2022— Simchat Torah, which marks the end of the annual cycle of weekly Torah readings and the beginning of the new cycle, is a joyous holiday that celebrates the Jewish love of Torah and study.