Shemini Atzeret

  • Storyteller!

    Every so often, a question posed to me is, why do we celebrate Simchas Torah – dancing with the Torah – on the Holiday of Shemini Atzeres? It would seem to be a more befitting time to celebrate with the Torah on the holiday of Shavuos, which marks the time when G-d gave us the …

  • Dance!

    When I was around eleven years old I was horsing around and one of the things I did was to make fun of how an old man danced. My mistake was that while I was acting so, my father happened to have been watching. A bit later, he called me over and told me, “You …

  • Alone & Together!

    Our Kabalistic Masters teach us that one of the sublime reasons for leaving our plush homes and dwelling in an outdoor hut with a simple roof covering during Succot is so that it be considered as if we are exiling ourselves. In case our judgment on Yom Kippur required us to go through some type …

  • Stay With Me!

    During the Holiday of Succos we observe and experience many Mitzvos while in a state of happiness; the Succah, the four species, the recitation of Hallel. During the time when the Temple in Jerusalem was functioning, there was a great celebration on each night of Succos accompanied by music, dancing and singing. This took place …

  • Simchas Torah 5772 Devotion and Determination

    Devotion and Determination Over the Holiday I read a tribute to the memory of Rabbi Menashe Klein, a Chasidic Rabbi, the leader of the congregation of Ungvar, in Boro Park, NY, the same community where I was raised. I would see this majestic and distinguished man from time to time; what I did not know, …

  • Shemini Atzeres 5773

    Shemini Atzeres 5773 One of the more amusing moments I experienced was during the intermediate days of Succos. I was at the Jewish Community Center equipped with my Lulav and Esrog offering the attendees to make a blessing on the special Mitzvah. After instructing the participants many times how to hold the Lulav and Esrog …

  • Simchas Torah 5775

    On Friday we will be celebrating Simchas Torah – the completion of the yearly cycle of the reading of the five Books of the Torah. Eight verses before the conclusion of the Torah, the verse states, “Moshe, the servant of G-d died in the Land of Moav.” The verses then describe Moshe’s burial and his …

  • Shemini Atzeres 5776 – Finish and Start

    Finish and Start! This coming Tuesday we will complete the yearly cycle of the reading the Torah, which calls for great joyous celebration along with dancing and singing with the Torah scrolls – Simchas Torah. We continue the excitement by beginning the Torah cycle anew with a partial reading from the first portion Beraishis which …