Laws of Yom Tov: 27-3
Feeding Living creatures on Yom Tov

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Textbook for the Shiur: The Laws of Yom Tov 
https://www.artscroll.com/Books/9781578191628.html

Full Lecture: 
Melachos Pertaining to Living Creature on Yom Tov - Laws of Yom Tov (27)
https://youtu.be/_vhOMG3zg3I

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Two thousand years later, when many of us are scattered among the nations and lingering on the edge of assimilation, one may question, “Why do we take breaks from work, and spend vacation days on keeping the laws and traditions?” Working on Chol HaMoed, some of our brethren consider the Yom Tov a burden instead of a divine testimony and priceless gift for the Jewish Nation. 

Indeed, why do we bother to pay an exorbitant price just to shake lulav and esrog for a few moments? Why would one spend an extraordinary amount of energy to clean and check for chametz? Why does anyone in their right mind leave the comfortable home to dwell in a semi-roofless hut and endure the attack of unpleasant weather and mosquitoes? None of these seems normal or natural. However, always remember that we are the children of HaKadosh Baruch Hu, and we are above nature.

Suffering back-breaking labors and horrendous abuses in Egypt, seeing our children being stuffed within the rock and drawn in the river, we forwent the hope of freedom and accepted the fate of slaves. However, by adhering to the Will of the Almighty, Klal Yisrael was redeemed instantly as a Nation and transformed from defenseless slaves to masters. On Pesach, the Creator of the universe took us out with a Strong Hand by unfathomable miracles and became our Father in Heaven. This was the birth of the Holy Nation, the beginning of Jewish immortality.

Heading into the desolate wilderness with little knowledge about the future, Klal Yisrael followed the guidance of her Shepherd and cleansed herself to understand the essence of her existence in seven weeks. HaShem is our G-d, and we are His people. Just as HaShem is One, so we are one. Only when Klal Israel clings together as one unity and fulfills the Will of our Creator, we exist as a nation and be able to achieve our purpose of Creation. United with HaKadosh Baruch Hu under Mount Sinai, we accepted the Holy Torah and became His eternal bride. 

On Sukkos, leaving the warm and cozy home to stay in the simple shed, we detach ourselves from the dazzling material world and once again be in yichud with HaShem. Entrust our very being to the King of kings, we elevate from the worldly nature to above the mazal and connect to our Father in Heaven in a way incomparable by any others. Through pure faith in HaShem, we experience unmatchable happiness and joy endowed by our One and Only G-d. 

This is the core of our existence. This is the connection to our Lord.

In the series “The Laws of Yom Tov,” Rabbi Lev Leib Lerner will guide us on the journey of restoring our closeness with our Father in Heaven and fulfilling His Will in the way He wants. Based on the sefer of the same name by Rabbi Simcha Bunim Cohen shlit”a, the series provides a detailed yet understandable explanation of halachos and practical examples, giving the audiences a clear grasp of how to observe the foundation of Judaism. Focusing on the difference between the laws of Shabbos and the laws of Yom Tov, the shiurim clarify the permissions, restrictions, and limitations of the halachos for everyone to have kosher and happy festivals. 

Join BeEzrat HaShem. Learn with Rabbi Lev Leib Lerner. Study kosher Jewish ideologies and halachos. Serve HaShem properly and be Holy. 

(Descrption inspired by the overview of "The Laws of Yom Tov", by HaRav Shmuel Elchonon Brog zt"l)
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