Page 37 - HaMizrachi # 23 Sukkot Simchat Torah 2020 USA

HOLIDAY READING

Rabbi Zev Leff Rabbi Berel Wein

Starting Over

he completion of any signifi- devotion to it. This is usually the case these feelings of melancholy. As long
cant portion of Torah learning with all siyum ceremonies, in which the as Moshe’s words and ideals still live
Tis always an occasion for cel- completion of one tractate immediately amongst the Jewish people there is great
ebration. Any siyum (completion of a leads to the beginning of the study of reason to rejoice. It means we have not
tractate of Talmud or Mishna) is usually another one. lost our way and the eternity of Moshe
accompanied by a festive meal to com- and Israel is guaranteed. The nations of
memorate the happy event. There is a the world resent the fact we still have
great sense of satisfaction and accom- a chance to rejoice or attempt to live
plishment at having seen a difficult intel- normal productive lives under terrible
lectual and time-consuming task to its duress and distress.
successful conclusion.
Simchat Torah comes to teach us that
Therefore, it is naturally understandable we should rejoice when we are able to
that the occasion of our completing the do so and celebrate our existence and
annual cycle of Torah readings with the accomplishments even if things are
reading of Vezot HaBracha on the final not exactly as we would wish them to
day of Sukkot makes it the most joyful be. Completing the Torah reading is a
day of the entire magnificent holiday matter of perseverance, as is all of Jewish
season. Simchat Torah affirms our faith life.
in Jewish continuity and our unshak-
able belief in the Divinity of the Torah The Torah’s description of Moshe’s death
Moshe brought down to Israel from is meant to impress us with the fact that
Mount Sinai. Judaism is not the cult of the personality.
Even when Moshe, the greatest ever Jew
It is the holiday basically created by the ever, dies and leaves us bereft and alone,
Jewish people itself, replete with cus- we are not to overly mourn and certainly
toms and nuances developed over the not to despair.
ages that have hardened into accepted
practice and ritual. Here in Israel, where However, despite the elation, the Torah We may yet continue to rejoice because
Simchat Torah and Shemini Atzeret ends on an apparently sad note, poi- the eternal Torah is still present within
occur on the same day, Simchat Torah, gnantly describing the death of our great us with great vigor and vitality. As far
the folk holiday, has almost pushed teacher Moshe. He will never enter the as we are concerned, the game is never
Shemini Atzeret, the Biblical and Land of Israel but will only be able to over. We suffer and fall but we are never
halachic holiday, aside in thought and glimpse it from afar. The generation defeated. That is the power the Torah
practice. he shepherded for 40 years has passed grants us. It is the source of our great
away, his sons will not inherit his posi- joy in celebrating the completion and
This is a practical example of how tion or power, and with his great gift simultaneous beginning of the reading
sometimes Jewish custom based upon of prophecy, he is aware of the terrible of the Torah this year. So be it for all of
intense love of and attachment to Torah problems his beloved people of Israel the years yet to come.
overwhelms the Torah ritual itself. What must yet face and overcome through
makes Simchat Torah so special is the their long journey of history and destiny.
fact we begin to read immediately from Rabbi Berel Wein is Senior Rabbi of Beit
the beginning of the Torah again, sym- Nevertheless, the joy of the presence of Knesset HaNassi in Jerusalem and Director
bolizing no gaps in our study or our the Torah within our nation overcomes of the Destiny Foundation.

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