Seasons of Splendor

Seasons of Splendor! Shabbos, testament to G-d's miracle of Creation; Pesach, reliving the Exodus, and season of freedom; Shavu'os, anniversary of Revelation, and commemoration of the Divine origin of the Torah! These essays, by noted author and lecturer, R. Zechariah Fendel, carry us through the magnificent Seasons of Splendor of the Jewish People. Drawing on the words of Chazal and the great Torah thinkers of all generations, they provide and incisive insight into the multi-faceted conceptual aspects of Shabbos and the Mo-adim. How do we define the Melacha concept, the Shabbason concept, the Shevus concept? How shall we render honor to Shabbos, or fulfill the beautiful mitzvah of oneg Shabbos? What are some of the emunah-values and ethical concepts which may be derived from the Exodus narrative, from the cherus concept? How shall we derive inspiration from the drama of Revelation, from Na'aseh ve'Nishma, from the Decalogue, from Rus, from the Ma'aseh Merkavah, the "Celestial Chariot"? In all centuries our ancestors derived a wealth of spiritual enrichment from Shabbos and the Mo'adim. The thrice-annual pilgrimage to the Temple in Jerusalem, in which hundreds of thousands of Jews participated, was a profoundly moving experience, which inspired the multitudes of Jews, and brought them closer to their Creator. Our Shabbos and our Yom Tov experience must likewise serve as founts of spiritual enrichment, which will provide us with an ever-refreshing source of spiritual vitality. These interludes will carry us over from week to week and from season to season, in our aspirations to emerge as true Torah Jews. Seasons of Splendor will make Shabbos and the Mo'adim come alive for us each season again, to elevate and ennoble the neshamah of the contemporary Jew, and to bring the blessings of G-d into his home.