Torah - Our Inheritance

Following the seven joyous days of Sukkot, we arrive at the happy holiday of Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah, which begins in the evening of October 13th.

During the first day, known as Shemini Atzeret, we still dwell in the sukkah, but without a blessing. The second day is known as Simchat Torah, during which we complete the annual Torah reading cycle and immediately begin anew. This joyous milestone is marked with dancing, traditionally following seven circuits known as hakafot, as the Torah scrolls are held aloft.

Both days are celebrated with nightly candle lighting, festive meals at both night and day, and abstaining from work. In Israel, the entire holiday is compacted into one heady 24-hour period.

The joyful dancing with the closed Torah scrolls expresses the bond every Jew has with the Torah, a bond that goes beyond one’s knowledge of it, or even whether one observes its laws.

The Torah is an inheritance every Jew owns by virtue of being Jewish. As it says, “The Torah was taught to us by Moses, the inheritance of the community of Jacob.” This verse reminds us that from birth every Jewish child inherits and possesses the entire Torah, including its most profound teachings.

This ownership affects us on a deep, inner level beyond conscious awareness. Yet this alone is not enough. We must draw the Torah into our minds and daily lives through study and practice. Acquiring Torah knowledge is therefore a lifelong task for both men and women.

In this ongoing effort, we are helped by the fact that inwardly we already possess the entire Torah. This inner inheritance enables us to progress step by step in our study and understanding.

Simchat Torah expresses our joy that, deep down, we already possess the Torah in full. On this day, we do not sit and study—it remains closed and wrapped as we dance with it. This joyful dancing becomes a source of inspiration, helping us live and grow as Jews in the days and months ahead.

Wishing you a Shabbat Shalom and a joyous Simchat Torah!

On Friday, light Shabbat candles at 6:05 PM (NYC).

On Monday, light Holiday candles at 6:00 PM (NYC). 

On Tuesday, light Holiday candles after 6:57 PM (NYC) from a pre-existing flame.