Sefer Chemdat Yamim: A Sacred Book on Ethics and Kabbalah - #2

Come and see, friends. Volume Two of Chemdat Yamim opens beneath the holy shadow of the Sukkah, where Israel emerges from the awe and purification of Yom Kippur and enters the days of joy, shelter, unity, and closeness to the Shechinah.

The author begins with Sukkot, calling the soul to enter not merely a temporary dwelling, but the Tzila d’Meheimnuta, the Shadow of Faith. The building of the Sukkah, the Four Species, the Ushpizin, the prayers, the circuits, and the rejoicing of the festival are opened before the reader in their revealed observance and their inward roots. The Etrog, Lulav, Hadas, and Aravah become more than objects held in the hand: they speak of the heart, the body, the unity of Israel, the holy Name, and the joining of the worlds above and below.

The journey continues through Hoshana Rabbah, the final sealing and its holy vigil, into Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah, where the joy of Israel reaches toward the Torah itself and the soul is called to rejoice before the Holy One, Blessed be He, with reverence, love, and complete attachment.

From there the volume enters Mishmeret HaChodesh, the Vigil of the New Moon, an extraordinary order of fasting, repentance, Torah, prayer, and mourning over the exile of the Shechinah. The renewal and diminishment of the moon become a mirror of the mystery of Israel and the Divine Presence, calling those who seek Hashem to join themselves to Her sorrow, pray for Jerusalem, and awaken mercy and redemption.

The section on Yom Tov then opens the inward life of the festivals themselves: their preparation, prayer, sacred meals, joy, hospitality, immersion, Torah study, the remembrance of the offerings, Chol HaMoed, and Isru Chag. Here joy is not treated as something outside Divine service. Joy itself becomes service. The table becomes holy, the festival becomes an honored guest, and the house of Israel is summoned to receive the appointed times of Hashem with radiant faces and glad hearts.

Finally come the lights of Chanukah. The struggle of the Chashmonaim, the purification of the House, the flask of pure oil, the lighting of the Menorah, Hallel and thanksgiving, and the deliverance of Israel are joined to prayers and profound intentions surrounding the kindling of the lights. The volume also preserves the remarkable account of Yehudit, together with teachings concerning the remembrance of miracles, trust in Hashem, the honor of Torah, and the responsibility to strengthen those who labor in its study.

Throughout Volume Two, Chemdat Yamim continually calls Israel beyond the outward form of the mitzvah and toward the holy root from which it descends. A Sukkah, a Lulav, the renewal of the moon, a festival meal, or a single Chanukah light becomes a doorway through which the soul may perceive the movements of the Shechinah and the work entrusted to Israel below.

The Molcho Edition, Volume 2 has been translated and annotated for the English-speaking world, preserving the Hebrew and Aramaic alongside the English while illuminating the Torah, Talmudic, Midrashic, Zoharic, halachic, and teachings of the Ari woven throughout the sefer. This volume also includes a detailed topic index, selected bibliography, and glossary, allowing the reader to trace its teachings and continue their study.

May the study of these holy words draw Israel beneath the wings of the Shechinah, increase Torah and da'at, strengthen unity among the holy people, restore the fallen Sukkah of David, and hasten the complete Redemption of all Israel and the unification of the Holy One, Blessed be He, and His Shechinah, speedily in our days. Amen.