Yerach HaEitanim

About This Work

A Classic Torah Work, Renewed

The Biblical name for the month of Tishrei is called ירח האתנים (Yerach HaEitanim), which means ‘the month of the mighty'. The Gemara explains that this month is ‘mighty in mitzvos': Shofar, Yom Kippur, Succah, Lulav, Arava and Nisuch HaMayim (Rosh Hashanah 11a; Rashi there). Each and every one of these Mitzvos is a whole reality onto its own, as each is a complete self-contained command of the Torah. However, as they are all linked by a common month, there is an interconnection between these whole entities to form a larger whole, like distinct figures that makeup a much larger scenery. In each chapter, Rabbi Bechhofer draws ideas from the full gamut of Jewish philosophy and the spirit of deep understanding that he absorbed from his mentors HaGaon HaRav Yaakov Weinberg ZT”L Rosh Yeshivas Ner Yisroel and HaGaon HaRav Moshe Shapira ZT”L to define each Mitzvah on to its own, 'the thing in of itself'.  As the reader will detect, the ideas in any given chapter are based on ideas laid out in previous chapters and are laying foundations for chapters to come, capturing the duality of understanding these Mitzvos onto their own and how they weave together to form a tapestry of a full restoration of our intimate relationship with Hashem that was attained at Sinai but disrupted by the calamities that are commemorated during the three weeks. From the preparation of Elul to the actual Avoda of all the many Mitzvos of Tishrei, all binding together to rebuild and internalize our values, commitments, and total dedication to Hashem and to position us to progress further towards the higher revelations of the end of days.

Machon Even Shesiya is proud to announce that Yerach HaEitanim is being republished in a new, fully edited hardback edition. This new edition includes careful editorial revisions throughout, as well as significant additional essays that expand and deepen the original work.

Your sponsorship makes this important publication possible and ensures that this Torah scholarship reaches the widest possible audience — in yeshivos, batei medrash, shuls and homes around the world.