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Why do we recite the thirteen attributes of mercy on the three pilgrimage festivals, not just the High Holy Days? The shiur develops the idea that all three festivals commemorate the Exodus, which only makes sense if it established an eternal covenant. The thirteen attributes represent this unbreakable bond - without the promise of eternity, leaving Egypt's wealth and security would have been meaningless.
This shiur examines a fundamental question in Jewish liturgy: why do we recite the thirteen attributes of mercy (Shelosh Esrei Middos) when taking out the Torah (תורה) on the festivals of Pesach (פסח), Shavuos, and Sukkos (סוכות), in addition to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur? The answer reveals profound insights about the nature of the Exodus and Jewish eternity. The speaker begins by analyzing Moshe's seemingly illogical argument to God after the sin of the golden calf. When God threatens to destroy the Jewish people, Moshe responds that the Egyptians will say God's intention in taking them out was for evil. This appears unreasonable - the Jews had clearly sinned and deserved punishment. However, this argument contains a deeper truth about the nature of the Exodus itself.
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Parshas Ki Sisa - Thirteen Attributes of Mercy
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