Simchat torah: Difference between revisions
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[[File:שמחת תורה.jpg|thumb]] | [[File:שמחת תורה.jpg|thumb|A rare photo from the Rebbe's farbrengen on '''Simchat Torah'''. The photo was taken by a non-Jewish reporter from the "New York Times" at a farbrengen in the year 5728/1967.]] | ||
Simchat Torah is a holiday celebrated on the last day after the conclusion of Sukkot, marking the reading of Parshat V'Zot HaBracha which completes the Torah reading cycle of all the Torah portions, and celebrating and rejoicing on the occasion of this completion. In Eretz Yisrael, this day is celebrated together with Shemini Atzeret, on the 22nd of Tishrei; while outside of Eretz Yisrael, this day is the second holiday following Shemini Atzeret, on the 23rd of Tishrei. | Simchat Torah is a holiday celebrated on the last day after the conclusion of Sukkot, marking the reading of Parshat V'Zot HaBracha which completes the Torah reading cycle of all the Torah portions, and celebrating and rejoicing on the occasion of this completion. In [[Eretz Yisroel|Eretz Yisrael]], this day is celebrated together with Shemini Atzeret, on the 22nd of Tishrei; while outside of Eretz Yisrael, this day is the second holiday following Shemini Atzeret, on the 23rd of Tishrei. | ||
Our Rebbeim spoke extensively about the greatness of this holiday, from which joy extends throughout the entire year, and therefore one must be careful to utilize the time on this day as much as possible for rejoicing and dancing. | Our Rebbeim spoke extensively about the greatness of this holiday, from which joy extends throughout the entire year, and therefore one must be careful to utilize the time on this day as much as possible for rejoicing and dancing. | ||
[[File:הקפות.jpg|thumb|A drawing depicting the Hakafot conducted by Rabbi Levi Yitzchak, the Rebbe's father, during his exile in Chaili.]] | |||
== The Holiday Order and Its Customs == | == The Holiday Order and Its Customs == | ||
==== Hakafot ==== | ==== Hakafot ==== | ||
'''Extended topic – [[Hakafot]], [[Atah Hareita]]''' | |||
'''Extended topic – Hakafot, Atah Hareita''' | |||
"And Israel customarily celebrates with it, and it is called Simchat Torah. And they crown the Torah scroll with its crown." — Zohar Part 3, 256b | It is a Jewish custom to circle the Torah reading platform with Torah scrolls on the night and day of Simchat Torah, with joy, songs, and dancing, celebrating in this way the completion of reading the entire Torah. This custom began in Ashkenazi lands hundreds of years ago, and from there spread to Sephardic communities. Rabbi Chaim Vital brought that his teacher the Arizal practiced this custom, and also showed a source for the custom in the Zohar:<blockquote>"And Israel customarily celebrates with it, and it is called Simchat Torah. And they crown the Torah scroll with its crown." — Zohar Part 3, 256b</blockquote>Among our Rebbeim, the Hakafot on Shemini Atzeret were conducted with seriousness compared to the Hakafot of Simchat Torah, where the joy was greater, beyond measure and limitation (although in recent years the Rebbe instituted that already on Shemini Atzeret the Hakafot should be with joy that breaks through all limitations completely, and explained the reason for this). | ||
Among our Rebbeim, the Hakafot on Shemini Atzeret were conducted with seriousness compared to the Hakafot of Simchat Torah, where the joy was greater, beyond measure and limitation (although in recent years the Rebbe instituted that already on Shemini Atzeret the Hakafot should be with joy that breaks through all limitations completely, and explained the reason for this). | |||
In Chassidic teachings, the virtue of Hakafot is explained extensively, as a joy that is beyond all limitations in which all Jews unite without distinction, and this joy brings about elevation in Torah study throughout the entire year. | In Chassidic teachings, the virtue of Hakafot is explained extensively, as a joy that is beyond all limitations in which all Jews unite without distinction, and this joy brings about elevation in Torah study throughout the entire year. | ||
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==== Aliyah to the Torah ==== | ==== Aliyah to the Torah ==== | ||
'''Extended topic – Torah Reading on Simchat Torah''' | '''Extended topic – [[Torah Reading on Simchat Torah]]''' | ||
On Simchat Torah there is special care taken to ensure everyone receives an aliyah to the Torah, and in Jewish communities there are various customs whether to repeat the reading again and again until everyone merits an aliyah, or to call up several people together. | On Simchat Torah there is special care taken to ensure everyone receives an aliyah to the Torah, and in Jewish communities there are various customs whether to repeat the reading again and again until everyone merits an aliyah, or to call up several people together. | ||
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==== By the Rebbe ==== | ==== By the Rebbe ==== | ||
'''Extended topic – Niggunim the Rebbe Taught''' | '''Extended topic – [[Niggunim the Rebbe Taught]]''' | ||
In the first years of the Rebbe's leadership, on the night of Simchat Torah after Hakafot, the Rebbe would go up to the Rebbe Rayatz's apartment and have the holiday meal there. When the meal ended, the Rebbe would return to the synagogue and teach a new, unfamiliar niggun to the chassidim who remained there and continued dancing. | In the first years of the Rebbe's leadership, on the night of Simchat Torah after Hakafot, the Rebbe would go up to the Rebbe Rayatz's apartment and have the holiday meal there. When the meal ended, the Rebbe would return to the synagogue and teach a new, unfamiliar niggun to the chassidim who remained there and continued dancing. | ||
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Usually, the Rebbe would also speak briefly about the niggun. This practice continued intermittently until 5724 (1964). | Usually, the Rebbe would also speak briefly about the niggun. This practice continued intermittently until 5724 (1964). | ||
The Rebbe expressed that Simchat Torah is the most appropriate time to encourage the Mivtza Torah (Torah Campaign) and the Mivtza Ot B'Sefer Torah (Letter in a Torah Scroll Campaign). | The Rebbe expressed that Simchat Torah is the most appropriate time to encourage the [[Mivtza Torah]] (Torah Campaign) and the [[Mivtza Ot B'Sefer Torah]] (Letter in a Torah Scroll Campaign). | ||
==== Second Hakafot ==== | ==== Second Hakafot ==== | ||
[Second Hakafot at Beit Menachem Synagogue in Kfar Chabad] | [[File:הקפות שניות כפר חבד.jpg|thumb|Second Hakafot at Beit Menachem Synagogue in Kfar Chabad]] | ||
'''Extended topic – [[Second Hakafot]]''' | |||
'''Extended topic – Second Hakafot''' | |||
Second Hakafot is an Eretz Yisrael custom based on the practice of the Arizal, according to which at the conclusion of Simchat Torah, another round of Hakafot with Torah scrolls accompanied by singing and dancing with musical instruments is performed. When the Arizal lived in Tzfat, he would visit synagogues that delayed finishing their prayers on the night after Simchat Torah and conducted seven Hakafot in each of them. | Second Hakafot is an Eretz Yisrael custom based on the practice of the Arizal, according to which at the conclusion of Simchat Torah, another round of Hakafot with Torah scrolls accompanied by singing and dancing with musical instruments is performed. When the Arizal lived in Tzfat, he would visit synagogues that delayed finishing their prayers on the night after Simchat Torah and conducted seven Hakafot in each of them. | ||
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==== Joy for the Final Tablets ==== | ==== Joy for the Final Tablets ==== | ||
On Simchat Torah we rejoice for the final tablets, which were given on Yom Kippur. | On Simchat Torah we rejoice for the final tablets, which were given on [[Yom Kippur]]. | ||
==== Explanation of the Holiday Name ==== | ==== Explanation of the Holiday Name ==== | ||
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==== General Joy for the Entire Year ==== | ==== General Joy for the Entire Year ==== | ||
The Rebbe explains that it is known that all matters of the month of Tishrei are general matters, and similarly, the joy of Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah is a general, comprehensive joy from the essence of the soul, which includes all powers as one. And similarly regarding the aspect of time - this is not just a joy that belongs to this particular time, but a general joy for the entire year. For this reason, the joy needs to be beyond reason and understanding, with kabbalat ol (acceptance of the yoke) - through dancing. | The Rebbe explains that it is known that all matters of the month of Tishrei are general matters, and similarly, the joy of Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah is a general, comprehensive joy from the essence of the soul, which includes all powers as one. And similarly regarding the aspect of time - this is not just a joy that belongs to this particular time, but a general joy for the entire year. For this reason, the joy needs to be beyond reason and understanding, with [[kabbalat ol]] (acceptance of the yoke) - through dancing. | ||
== Niggunim for Simchat Torah == | == Niggunim for Simchat Torah == | ||
[[File:ריקוד שמחת תורה.jpg|thumb|Hakafot on Simchat Torah. Drawing: Zalman Kleinman]] | |||
* Niggun Al HaSela Hach | * Niggun Al HaSela Hach | ||
* Niggun Stav Ya Pitu | * Niggun Stav Ya Pitu | ||
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== See Also == | == See Also == | ||
* Shemini Atzeret | * [[Shemini Atzeret]] | ||
* Takanas HaMashke | * [[Takanas HaMashke]] | ||
* Milchemet Charvot Barzel (Iron Swords War) | * [[Milchemet Charvot Barzel]] (Iron Swords War) | ||
== Further Reading == | == Further Reading == | ||
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* '''Classes for Simchat Torah from the Chabad Halacha Institute: Rabbi Zilbershtrom - Customs of the King, Rabbi Dahan - Laws''' | * '''Classes for Simchat Torah from the Chabad Halacha Institute: Rabbi Zilbershtrom - Customs of the King, Rabbi Dahan - Laws''' | ||
* The most exciting spiritual experience - on its way to Israel, Geulah newspaper issue 44 p. 14 | * The most exciting spiritual experience - on its way to Israel, Geulah newspaper issue 44 p. 14 | ||
[[he:שמחת תורה]] | |||