No Dancing? No Kiddush? No Problem!

How can it be Simchat Torah without the familiar singing, dancing, gatherings, and Kiddush? (No Kiddush!?!) 

 

It should be noted that Simchat Torah is a holiday that did not exist.  The Torah commands us to observe a holiday after seven days of Sukkot.  We call that holiday “Shemini Atzeret.”  Outside of Israel, this holiday lasts for two days.  The whole idea of celebrating the cycle of reading the Torah only became widespread around 1,000 years ago.  

 

Since this holiday after Sukkot now has a theme, the joyous celebration of the Torah, the name Simchat Torah was born.  In Israel, they celebrate a one-day holiday that combines Shemini Atzeret with Simchat Torah.  In the Diaspora, since there are two days of the holiday, we call the first day Shemini Atzeret and the second day Simchat Torah. 

 

While we may be have gotten used to the “normal” way to celebrate this holiday, the soul of Simchat Torah is the joy found in Jewish living. 

 

Rambam (Maimonides) teaches (Laws of Shofar, Lulav, and Sukkah 8:15): 

        The happiness with which a person should rejoice in the fulfillment of the mitzvot  and the love of God who                commanded them is a great service …there is no  greatness or   honor other than celebrating before God… 

 

On Simchat Torah, we reinforce that our joyous Judaism comes from Torah.  Usually, we sing and dance.  We encourage everyone to come close to the Torah.  We bring our children and show them a good time.  Judaism can be fun.  We honor the conclusion of the reading of the Torah, and we celebrate starting it again. 

 

This year, we need to do things differently.  This year, we need to dig down deeper to find the joy.  We need to get back to the basics. 

 

At the heart of Judaism is Torah. 

Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon, a prominent teacher and author in Israel, made an excellent suggestion for this Simchat Torah.  During hakafot, which will have to be different this year, dance in place while holding a sefer, a Jewish book of learning.  It can be a Jewish book you are finishing, or in the middle of studying, or want to study in the coming year.  After all, Simchat Torah is about finishing the Torah and starting it again.   Let’s each rejoice in our personal commitment to Torah study while in shul with the congregation. 

 

This year, when we cannot sing and dance together, when we can’t get close to one another, and when we can’t congregate together over Kiddush, let’s hold a sefer, a Jewish book.  It can be a chumash, a Mishnah, Gemara, book of Jewish thought, or any Jewish topics.  (I am happy to offer guidance and suggestions.) 

 

This Simchat Torah, there is one thing we can all do together and that’s express our commitment to the core of Judaism: Torah.