By By Rabbi-Cantor Cheri Weiss
Out of the thousands of photos I have stored on my phone, there is one of my then-teenage daughter, Emma, that has always been particularly precious to me. It was taken during the evening celebration of Simchat Torah (The Joy of Torah), the holiday which immediately follows Sukkot (Festival of Booths). Simchat Torah is an especially joyful celebration in most congregations, with people dancing in seven hakafot (circular processionals) while singing and taking turns holding the Torah scrolls. In Israel, and in some larger Jewish communities, Simchat Torah celebrations can be so massive that they pour out into the streets.
After the hakafot, it is customary in many congregations for people to spread out into a large circle with each person gently holding the edges of a fully unrolled Torah scroll, sharing in the responsibility for keeping it aloft. The final Torah portion, V’zot Ha’Bracha (This is the Blessing) is then read from the Book of Deuteronomy. In this parsha, Moses gives the Israelites his final blessing, reminding them that the Torah is their gift from the Divine. It is their inheritance and serves to unite them now and in the future. Then, at age 120, Moses, the greatest leader the Jewish people have ever known, leaves them, passing the mantle of leadership to his successor, Joshua Ben Nun. The exact location of Moses’ death is unknown other than he died on Mt. Nebo in the land of Moab.
Yet on Simchat Torah, we do not end our Torah reading here. Instead, we go immediately back to the very beginning and read from the first chapter in the Book of Genesis: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth …”. The Torah-reading cycle begins anew in the first month of our liturgical calendar. With each passing week, once again we will have the opportunity to revisit the shared early historical narrative of our people – the drama, the passion, the highs and the lows – that draws us together as Jews.
Simchat Torah symbolizes the centrality of Torah in our Jewish lives, marked by joy and gratitude. Throughout our life’s journey, we can turn to our Torah for guidance, wisdom, and insight. It offers an ethical roadmap for us as individuals and as a collective people. We may pose questions, but it is up to each of us to search for the answers within the Torah and in our other scriptures and sacred teachings. I encourage you to take the time to see what gems you can glean from the rich tapestry of our complicated heritage.
In my cherished Simchat Torah photo, Emma is holding the Torah as part of the congregation’s celebration. Her face is lit up with the kind of joyful radiance that I’m sure every parent would wish their child could hold onto forever. I keep that memory in my heart, and I hope she does as well. Wishing you a joyful and inspiring Simchat Torah.
Chag sameach!
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