Insights & Essays

As in a marriage, when the wedding-party is over the couple's true intimate life be begins, Shemini Atzeret is described as the "time of intimacy with the Divine" At this time, we ask for rain - the symbol of intimacy between heaven and earth.

"I love my wife," said Berl. "That's why I do everything she asks me to do. She says, 'Berl, please take out the garbage,' and right away, I take out the garbage." We all agreed that Berl loves his wife.

Why do we celebrate our relationship with the Torah on Simchat Torah, and not on Shavuot, the day we received the Torah?

The Breaking of Tablets? I thought we were past that? That was the beginning of the journey, 131 days ago. This was supposed to be its culmination! Are we turning the clock back?

Why celebrate our connection to the Torah more than four months after the date when it was given?

The source for our happiness on Simchat Torah, the center of attention, is of course the Torah. Yet, throughout the entire Hakkafos celebrations, the Torah is never opened...

The difference between the first tablets and the second is like that between the righteous and the repentant. When the first were given, Israel was still righteous; by the time of the second, they had sinned and repented...

Our efforts to comprehend the Torah throughout the entire year are now consummated - surely a cause for unlimited rejoicing...

Do you work in order to holiday, or do you holiday in order to work?

When we lift our feet, committing ourselves to one more good deed, our minds, and the Torah we are holding, are also able to dance...