Does this Holiday have Soul (or is that sole) or What?!
CARLSBAD, California — It is time to dig deep into those closets and pull out those old dancing shoes! Simchat Torah is upon us! This holiday epitomizes and serves as the climactic conclusion to the Sukkot Holiday, known as the Time of Our Joy. We celebrate this great festival with much fanfare and gaiety.
We remove all of the Torahs from the Holy Ark and proceed to dance around the bimah while singing joyous Jewish melodies. In many congregations the children are featured and treated to special Simchat Torah flags to be waved amidst the celebration. This is one of the few times during the course of the year that we go out of our way to say at least a couple of L’Chaims, and giddily imbibe (while remaining completely responsible in our actions).
Of course the previous paragraph describes a ‘regular’ Simchat Torah, but this year is certainly not typical. Therefore, we will have to follow the protocols established by the governmental agencies as well as Rabbinic authorities. For those of us going to in-person services there is no doubt that this year’s festivities will be quite different from anything we have previously experienced.
Simchat Torah represents the very best of Jewish values. Normally, we specifically dance in a circle, for when dancing in this fashion every person takes the place previously occupied by his friend. This emphasizes that all of us come from the same Source, and that every person is essential to G-d’s plan. Intriguingly, we dance with our Torahs while they are still covered and wrapped. This shows that the happiness transcends our learning and understanding of the Torah.
What is the cause of this grand merriment?
On Simchat Torah we complete the yearly reading of the Torah and immediately begin it again. It is this cycle that has perpetuated the Jewish people for well over 3,000 years. The Torah represents G-d’s will and wisdom; His desire for the conduct of His creation. It is therefore the ultimate gift. It was the Jewish people that were entrusted with this priceless treasure.
Everyone who is part of the Minyan is called to the Torah on this auspicious day showing that we all have a portion of the Torah. It is merely up to us to claim that portion. The children are also called up, for they served as the guarantors that the Torah would always be studied and observed by the Jewish people.
If Simchat Torah is all about the Torah why do we celebrate now instead of on the Holiday of Shavuot, which is the anniversary of when we received it? The Rabbis explain that it takes time to appreciate the grandeur and vastness of G-d’s Law, and therefore the Torah is celebrated a few months after it was given.
Of all of the Jewish Holidays Sukkot is by far the most universal in nature. In the times of the Holy Temple special sacrifices were brought for all of the nations of the world. However, specifically on Shmini Atzeret / Simchat Torah special sacrifices were brought for the Children of Israel. It is analogous to a king who threw a vast party for all of his subjects. Finally, after a week-long event he invited only his closest and most beloved friend to remain with him for one more day of festivities.
Simchat Torah is that one last day of merrymaking for the Almighty and His precious Jewish children. Simchat Torah is the day when we revel in G-dliness and concurrently, He revels in us. The joy is boundless! The energy is endless! The time is now!
Every Jew must endeavor to celebrate Simchat Torah. Wherever one goes, or if going nowhere at all, it is a time of limitless joy and thanksgiving celebrating our unbreakable relationship with G-d! This year we will have to internally generate the boundless joy of the holiday. That is certainly a taller order than previous years, but it demonstrates that we have greater potential than we previously realized.
Wishing everyone an uplifting, joyous, and HEALTHY Shabbos and Chag Same’ach!
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Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort is Director of Coastal Chabads and Chabad at La Costa. Rabbi Eilfort welcomes readers’ comments and questions and may be reached at RabbiE@ChabadatLaCosta.com.