New Dual-Volume Torah Set by Rabbi Shlomo Yehuda Baari Released for High Holy Days
A significant new Torah publication has been released in time for the High Holy Days and the festival of Sukkot, featuring the teachings of Rabbi Shlomo Yehuda Baari, known as the Gaon HaYenuka. The two-volume set offers fresh insights and articles drawn from his extensive Torah scholarship, aiming to deepen spiritual understanding during the Days of Awe and the joyous festival.
The first volume focuses on the themes of repentance, prayer, and divine kingship during Rosh Hashanah, the Ten Days of Repentance, and Yom Kippur. It challenges the common personal material requests during these days by emphasizing the question "What can I give to God?" rather than "What will God give me?" It highlights the ultimate purpose of Rosh Hashanah as the coronation of God over all creation and the yearning for the rebuilding of the Holy Temple.
The second volume explores the joyous aspects of the festival of Sukkot, including the Four Species, Hoshana Rabbah, and Simchat Torah. It includes deep explanations of the spiritual joy and attachment to God during these holidays, illustrated by a teaching of Hillel the Elder and a commentary by Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki (Rashbi) on the importance of authentic selfhood in divine service.
These volumes were meticulously edited by a team of distinguished Torah scholars who distilled the teachings "winnowing grain from chaff" to produce a clear, illuminating work. The books weave together straightforward explanations, Talmudic and Midrashic sources, and Kabbalistic insights from the Zohar and the Ari, all presented in accessible language. Extensive footnotes provide cross-references and deeper source analysis.
The set is intended as a comprehensive spiritual guide for the months of Elul and Tishrei, accompanying learners through the solemn and joyous days. It is recommended for every study hall and for those seeking to deepen their connection to God during this sacred season. The volumes are available at select bookstores, at Rabbi Baari’s study hall in Rishon LeZion, by phone order, and online through a dedicated ordering center.
