beatitude in this world

 Rabbi Shimshon Rafael Hirsch on Pinchas: G-d wants us to be happy | ערוץ 7 (israelnationalnews.com)

Rabbi Shimshon Rafael Hirsch on Pinchas: G-d wants us to be happy

​​​​​​​The Torah calls for joy and serenity – in this world.  A “suffering servant” is not the Jewish ideal.

by Dr. Elliot Resnick

“Judaism leaves other disciplines to teach that by renunciation of this world one wins the next world. It reserves for itself the teaching that by a life of G-d-acknowledging duty one can attain beatitude in this world; life in the next world can begin here in this one.”

So writes Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch in relation to Sukkot – the “most joyful of all the Jewish festivals” – on this week’s parshah.

We tend to ascribe great importance to Rosh Hashannah and Yom Kippur, but both of these serious days last a mere 24 hours (according to Torah law, although Rosh Hashannah is celebrated for two days ). In contrast, Sukkot – to which Rosh Hashannah and Yom Kippur are merely preparatory – lasts seven days during which we’re supposed to “rejoice before Hashem” (Leviticus 23:40).

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