The Case For Simchas Torah

InspirationParsha

Sep 30

For starters, if you are going to do Jewish, Simchas Torah is definitely the holiday to celebrate. It has food, dancing (who doesn't like to dance and let loose), L'chaims, pretty short prayers, brisket, Jewish pride, and a little bit of holy spirituality too! All other Jewish holidays may have one or the other, but not all of them.

Secondly, the Torah is the basis of everything Jewish. In our post–October 7th world, Jewish leadership has caught on. Fighting antisemitism and antisemites through legislation, through interfaith dialogue, and by influencing political parties, while important and necessary, is far from the whole answer. See this recent article from the American Jewish Committee, THE Jewish advocacy group, which promotes Torah learning as a key part of fighting antisemitism! Also listen to the State of World Jewry addresses by Dan Senor and Bret Stephens, where both of them emphasize the need for investment in Jewish education.

Not to gloat, but the Rebbe said this a long time ago. See this article and this one. A proud Jew is a respected Jew!

There is no greater pride than dancing with the Torah, our source of life and the core of our identity as Jews.

If you want to be a proud Jew, celebrate Simchas Torah!

If you want your children to be proud Jews, celebrate Simchas Torah!

I think that is simple and straight enough.

Put your dancing shoes on and join us at Chabad Intown.

Friday evening, Shemini Atzeres (in the diaspora, and Simchas Torah in Israel), marks the 3rd anniversary of October 7th. Solidarity Hakafot!

Saturday evening — Simchas Torah festivities. Dancing, brisket and L'chaims, followed by YJP Hakafot and dancing until the last one drops or the shoes get torn up.

FINALLY...

Growing up and celebrating Simchas Torah with the Rebbe, Simchas Torah morning was the time not to be missed. After dancing with the Rebbe until 2 or 3 AM and then dancing some more in 770, we would gather again at 10:00 AM for services. When the Rebbe came in, the joy could not be contained. The Rebbe danced, and the roof came off!

Join us as we end the holiday season with daytime dancing, this year on Sunday: services at 10 AM, Kiddush at 11 and BeltLine dancing at noon. Then we complete the Torah and roll it back to the beginning.

Let your Jewish pride break out!

Chag Sameach and Shabbat Shalom!!!!!

Ps. See this video which was filmed during the intermediary days of the holiday. A little taste of the Rebbe's Joy!

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The Case For Simchas Torah

You’re Forgiven. Now Dance.

A great Rabbi (I believe Reb Simcha Bunim of Pshischa) once said that the sin we leave Yom Kippur with is not believing that G-d has forgiven us.

I don't think he meant that we don't believe G-d is capable of forgiving us.

You are Heavenly!

This season can feel heavy. The Yom Hagadol - the Big Day of Yom Kippur is upon us and it pulls deep into our soul.

This Shabbos we read the Haazinu song. It is Moshe's last blessing and instruction before his passing.

He begins with the words "pay heed heaven". There are many reasons our commentators tell us for this call upward.

The Stories We Tell Ourselves

For this commandment which I command you this day, is not concealed from you, nor is it far away.

It is not in heaven, that you should say, "Who will go up to heaven for us and fetch it for us, to tell [it] to us, so that we can fulfill it?"

Playing Hard To Get

"Ani l'dodi v'dodi li." I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine. This is the verse from Song of Songs whose initial Hebrew letters spell out the Hebrew month of Elul, the month we are currently in.

In the book of Song of Songs, we read the poetic story of a young maiden and her beloved shepherd, and the fascinating progression of their courtship.

Don’t Waste the Discomfort - Preparing for Rosh Hashanah 5787

I've never related to people who dislike the marking of theirbirthday. I find my birthday to be a joyous and positively uplifting day. Conversely, there are those who find rainy days to be uplifting and nourishing :-).

An Elul Love Story

It is spring in the Land of Israel. The rain has stopped, the sun is shining, the birds are chirping and the smell of spring wafts through the air. A young maiden goes out to the vineyards for some fresh air and encounters a handsome-looking shepherd.

Standing on the Roots of Those Who Came Before Us

Even though they’re dead, they are not gone — they continue to find a way to help others out postmortem. These fallen giants provide “generational facilitation” in the afterlife, they continue to offer safety, nurture, love and protection from outside unhealthy influences, thus nurturing and making way for the new generation.

My Journey of Accepting Criticism

Adam was created from the dust (Chava from Adam's side). It has been said that this is the reason that men are defensive and a bit ego focused. After all, when they look back to their origins, it is just a mound of earth - not a very auspicious pedigree.

When Darkness Touches the Soul

The Talmud tells a story about Rabbi Akiva and his colleagues. They were traveling to Jerusalem and arrived at Mount Scopus. When they arrived, they all tore their clothing.

Rabbi Eliyahu Schusterman

The Case For Simchas Torah

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