8th Assembly and Joy of the Torah

Rabbi Dr. Abraham Joshua Heschel,  teaching future rabbis.

"Sooner or later in the life of every Jew, 

there comes a moment when they are hit

 by a barely understood concept: 

that they are a Jew. 

Sometimes this seems like a mystical act."

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BLAIR BLIECHMAN'S  HOMEWORK PROBLEM

GESHEM: THREE STYLES OF PRAYER  FOR A CRUCIAL GIFT FROM GOD

HAKAFOT:  DANCE, DANCE, TORAH, DANCE!

What you need to know about . . . Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah

 

Things about Shemini Atzeret, a.k.a. Simchat Torah

·       It is a holiday commanded by the Torah.  It’s sort of part of Sukkot, but sort of its own holiday. It is the last Jewish holiday of the season. 

·       Shmini Atzeret is two days long outside of Israel.  The second day is called Simchat Torah.

·       There is no more lulav and etrog waving once the holiday begins.

·        Though we can  eat in the Sukkah, we no longer say the blessing for sitting in the sukkah.

·       Both days are celebrated with lighting of candles at sundown.

·       Both days are celebrated with festive meals with family and friends.

·       The Torah says we should not work on this festival.

The first day is Shemini Atzeret, when in synagogue…

·       Yizor, the special prayers remembering those who have died are said. This includes Kaddish Yatom.

·       There is a special prayer for rain (Geshem) said during Musaf. When a cantor chants Geshem, they often wear a white robe called a Kittel (just like on Yom Kippur) because this prayer is so serious and so important.

·       We Say Hallel.

·       We read Torah and Haftorah.

·       From now through Pesach, there will be a short line in the Amidah every day, asking God to provide rain: Mashiv Haruach Umorid Hagashem. We wait until this day to say this prayer because we don’t want it to rain until we’re done sitting in the sukkah.

 

The second day is Simchat Torah when in synagogue….

·       The atmosphere is one of fun and celebration, and things get a little silly.  Prayers are often sung  to pop music tunes (Think the Beatles, music from “Frozen”, etc)

·       The end of the Torah is read, as is the start.

·       There is food and drink  (but usually not in the Sanctuary itself)

·       People play (simple) pranks on each other.

·       Every Torah scroll is taken from the ark. People dance with the scrolls and around the scrolls in a series of seven processions known as Hakafot.  At least one usually breaks out into the halls or even outside.

·       Everyone of Bnei Mitzvah age gets an aliyah.

·       Young Children are given flags to wave, and all kids under BM age get an aliyah together under a Chuppah!

·       A special honor is to be  a Chattan/Kallah  (Groom or Bride) Torah at Night

and a Chattan/Kallat Beresheet  during the day.  Anshe Emet gives this honor people who have been active and helpful in the community in numerous ways.