Beans, Fear & Simchat Torah: A Spiritual Recipe for the Heart & Soul

Rav Kook's innovative explanation of why lentils should only be eaten once a month, but not every day, deals with the difference between Yom Kippur and Sukkot/Simchat Torah, and the (rare) place for fear of death & punishment, as opposed to awe and love, which are our primary stress.

The Wars of the Peaceful Levites

What Are We So Happy About?

In the Hallel prayer we recite this verse: "This is the day G-d wrought, we will rejoice in it/Him." The Midrash asks about this last word: Is it "it," or "Him?" That is, are we supposed to rejoice in the day, or in G-d?

Simchat Torah for those Not Completing the Torah Reading

Hopefully, I/we will be able to make it to shul for Simchat Torah (=ST), but I and many others will not be finishing up the Torah reading, as we missed a few weeks when our shul was closed. Does this effect our ability to celebrate ST, halachically or experientially?

V'zot Habracha

Elevated Priorities

Aliyah Laregel

The Meaning of Shmini Atzeret

Why is there an extra holiday added on to the Sukkot holiday.

Make The Torah Happy!

A Mourner Serving as Chatan Torah

Simchat Torah - V’zot Habracha

Shemini Atzeret

Show me the path of life

Despite the apparent disparities between the High Holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur on the one hand and the Sukkot festival - known as “the time of our joy” - on the other, the holidays of Tishrei in fact live quite at peace with one another.

Why Be Happy?

On Simchat Torah we are particularly happy. What makes us so happy?

Is Shemini Atzeret a holiday?

Do we consider Shemini Atzeret a holiday?; There is a clear distinction between Chag (Sukkot) and “Atzeret”.