Hello Friends and welcome back to Torah Thoughts from Adas Israel the Jewish Congregation of Northern Iowa and based in Mason City. Before we get into our learning know that we've set services for October. Erv Shabbat Services will be on Friday the 21st starting at 7:00PM and our Midrash (Torah Study) will take place on Shabbat the 22nd at 10:00AM both at the shul. Hope you can make it and be with us!
Ah, Sukkot
This week we read from Vayikra (Leviticus) 23:33-44. It sets out the dates for Sukkot, what we are to do and not do and how it is celebrated yet today.
It is a timely reminder of a wonderful holiday that ends this year on October 16. But then we get an "extra" day with Hashem on the 17th known as Shemini Atzeret which means "the eighth day of assembly". Shemini Atzeret serves to conclude the holiday of Sukkot, although it technically stands as its own festival. In this way Sukkot begins with a yom tov (full holiday) and ends with a yom tov, while the days in between are the intermediate festival days (hol ha-mo’ed). Thus, the concluding holiday acts as a transitional day leading the worshipper out of the various levels of meaning inherent in Sukkot. The community assembles again to end the festival.
Next, Simchat Torah!
And then, this year, on 18 October another high point. It is Simchat Torah or the rejoicing of the gift of the Torah. On this festival, we end our cycle of public Torah readings and immediately begins the next cycle of readings. All the Torah scrolls are removed from the ark in the synagogue, and the bimah or sanctuary is circled seven times (or fewer, depending on the congregation’s tradition) in a festive procession known as a hakafot. The congregation celebrates this completion and beginning by dancing and singing with the Torah scrolls.
If you have never been a participant in Simchat Torah you are missing an amazing experience. The joy of dancing and singing with the Torah is wonderful. Oh the stories and the adventure! Imagine being with your very best friend (The Torah) and going out on a date.
We'll discuss all of this and more next week as we start a new year and a new cycle.
Thanks for reading and Shabbat Shalom!
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