YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Jewish Holidays
- Simchat Torah and Shmini Atzeret
Simchat Torah! The very name conjures up delightful images of exuberant dancing, kids marching with flags, entire congregations embracing the Torah in celebration of a new lease on life. The 10 Days of Repentance & Yom Kippur are past us, & now it’s time to lighten the atmosphere & "let it all out" in a burst of spiritual ecstasy.
The Rabbis really show their creative genius on this day, & we demonstrate our unity & commonality as we dance in circles around the Sefer Torah – everyone equidistant from the center - as aliyot are universally dispensed.
My Rabbi once asked me, "What, exactly, does the name ‘Simchat Torah’ actually mean?" When I shot back a puzzled look, he said, "The literal meaning of Simchat Torah is, ‘The happiness of the Torah!’ " And he then explained: "Our Torah is not a dead document or a sterile story, it is a Torat Chayim, a living Torah! Not only does it contains all knowledge – past, present & future - the Torah actually has feelings, it has emotions, no less than a human being. It can cry, it can be sad, it can even be upset; but on this day – the Torah is boundlessly happy."
An amazing concept, is it not? And it led me to thinking about what the Torah might feel at certain times:
I think the Torah is discouraged when it is ignored & neglected, when its vast wisdom is not accessed & its many secrets not fully plumbed. It feels hurt when some members of the faith selfishly claim it as theirs alone, as if it is reserved for only the privileged few. Yet the Torah also must be resentful, even indignant, when – as Pirkei Avot cautions against – it is used as someone’s personal "spade" with which to dig; i.e. for their own self-aggrandizement or to advance their own personal agenda.
But the Torah must be very proud when people rise in respect when it is lifted, or even when it just "shows its face" as the Aron is opened. It certainly must "shep nachas" when the children gather ‘round it, approaching it with awe & reaching out their hand to lovingly kiss it. It
must smile with satisfaction when it is read from properly, when care is taken to gently cover & "dress" it so that it always maintains a most dignified appearance.
But what I think most pleases the Torah is when it feels confident that it is never going to lose its special place in our society. That generation after generation, it is going to be revered as the depository of G-d’s wondrous word, that its timeless message will reverberate all the way from Moshe to Moshiach.
It is precisely that feeling which allows the Torah to dance with US – even as we dance with IT!
Simchat Torah and Shmini Atzeret Beans, Fear & Simchat Torah: A Spiritual Recipe for the Heart & Soul
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Rabbis in Midrash
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Shoftim TESHUVA IN COURT OF LAW?
Parshat Shoftim-Chodesh Elul
Why does parshat Shoftim always come out during Elul? This innovative and central explanation is an eye-opener regarding many aspects of Judaism.
The Month of Elul TESHUVA IS THE ANSWER
The month of Elul serves as a vital time for self-reflection and personal accountability to prepare for true repentance.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Chemdat Yamim The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Re'e NEVER EXTREME EXCEPT ISRAEL
Parshat Re'eh
Judaism is against extremism, so how can we understand the seemingly extreme statements found in our sages in favor of living in the Land of Israel and against living in Chutz laAretz? The article deals with the seeming contradiction between the strength of Free-Will and the strength of being influenced by our surroundings.
Ekev DANCE FOR ISRAEL- FOR YOUR BENEFIT
Parshat Eikev
Description: The 7 Haftarot we read after Tisha B'Av ("Shiva D'Nichemta") surely get us excited that they're coming TRUE, and awaken us to yearn, dance & join the return to Zion! The short article also deals with the problems and solutions facing the American Jewish community as discussed at a recent panel, as well as the question why Jews come from America to Israel to help when we face problems, but Israelis don't come to aid Jews in America when they face anti-Semitism.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
