Page 8 - HaMizrachi #33 Sukkot 2021 USA

Rejoicing with Hashem

and His Torah

Rabbi Danny Mirvis

ith the reading of the
final parasha of the
Torah – VeZot HaBer-
Wacha – on Simchat
Torah, we celebrate the completion of
the Torah reading cycle. Outside Israel,
this joyous celebration is a festival of
its own, coming the day after Shemini
Atzeret. In Israel, however, where there
is no need for an extra day of Yom Tov,
Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah are
celebrated on the same day.
Whereas the practice of having one
day of Yom Tov is clearly the ideal (as
is living in Israel in the first place), this
combination of celebrations requires
explanation. When it comes to celebrat-
ing our joyous occasions, there is a clear Shemini Atzeret on the eighth day as a spirituality if we fail to show commit-
rule in the Gemara: “We do not mix a symbol of our special relationship with ment to His Torah. The very best way
simcha with a simcha” (Moed Katan 8b). Him. Our build-up to Shemini Atzeret to develop a meaningful relationship
From this Gemara, we learn not to com- commenced long before Sukkot. Since with Hashem is to make His priorities
bine two separate joyous events, but the beginning of Ellul, we have been our priorities through the observance
rather to celebrate them separately, so focused on the practical, emotional and of mitzvot and to learn more about Him
one simcha does not detract from the spiritual preparations for our festive and His lessons for our world by learn-
other. Every simcha deserves proper season. Shemini Atzeret is the conclu- ing His Torah.
focus and attention without being in sion of this period, when instead of At the same time, we cannot treat our
the shadow of any other celebration. rushing back to our everyday lives, we observance of mitzvot or Torah learn-
spend an extra day celebrating with ing as purely academic or intellectual
Based on this principle, how can we Hashem. exercises. A commitment to Torah and
explain the combination of Shemini mitzvot that does not strengthen our
Atzeret and Simchat Torah in Israel? Is Why do we detract from this special relationship with Hashem is off base.
it possible that our practice in the Dias- Yom Tov by combining it with the com-
pora is more appropriate? The answer pletion of the Torah reading cycle? Not only do the simcha of Shemini
lies in understanding the source of the In truth, Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Atzeret and the simcha of Simchat
simcha of these festivals. Torah do not detract from each other, Torah not detract from one another;
Why do we celebrate Shemini Atzeret? because they are one and the same they cannot exist without each other!
ת ֶר ֶצ ֲע יִני ִמ ְ ׁש means the “assembly/stop- simcha. Our special relationship with By deepening our relationship with
ping of the eighth day.” Rashi explains Hashem and our special relationship Hashem, may we merit to take part in
with a parable: “I kept you with me like with His Torah are one and the same the ultimate celebration of Hashem and
a king who invites his son to a feast for thing. The Zohar expresses this clearly His Torah with all of Am Yisrael cele-
a number of days. Seeing as the time in numerous places where it states, brating one day of Yom Tov together
has come to part, He says, ‘My son, “The Holy One Blessed be He and Torah in Israel.
please stay with me for one more day, are one.”
for your parting is difficult for me’” We cannot divorce our relationship
(Vayikra 23:36).
with Hashem from our relationship Rabbi Danny Mirvis is the incoming Deputy
Having spent seven days of Sukkot cel- with His Torah. We cannot expect CEO of World Mizrachi, after six years as
ebrating with Hashem, we celebrate to come close to Hashem or grow in Senior Rabbi of Mizrachi Melbourne.

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