Simhat Torah 5779

Simhat Torah 5779

Simhat Torah is one of the most joyous holidays in the Jewish Calendar. It celebrates the "Joy of the Torah".

A question that I get asked often is, "Why do we need another Holiday to celebrate the Torah if we already have Shabuot?"

The Dubno Magid offers a beautiful answer in the form of an example. Imagine someone was given the hand of the princess in marriage by the king. They celebrate the wedding in true royal fashion. No expense is spared in this magnificent royal wedding. By evening's end every person agrees that it was the most beautiful marriage celebration ever. 

Some time passes by and the new prince approaches his father-in-law and asks permission to throw a lavish party to celebrate his recent marriage to the princess.

The king is hurt, "Did I not do it justice? Was there anything missing from your wedding extravaganza that you feel the need to celebrate again?"

The prince quickly responds, "Of course not! There isn't anything at all I could think of that was missing from that perfect evening!"
"So why are you asking to make another party?", asks the King.

The Prince responds, "The only thing missing on that night was MY celebration of our marriage! I knew I was marrying royalty. I knew I was privileged, chosen even. But I didn't know HER. Now after one year, I know she is unbelievably kind. Her ways are so pleasant and yet with everything she is, she remains humble. This time I want to celebrate HER. Not the IDEA of her!"

On Shabuot we marry the daughter of the King, or the Torah. And we celebrate marrying into the royal family. It is a wonderful thing. But we had no idea what it would be like to live our lives together with the princess, our Torah. As we finish the very last Perasha, we have seen all of her and know her ways. We can finally celebrate HER, not the idea of her.

We now know first-hand that "Diracheha darchei noam, vchol netivoteha shalom", her ways are sweet and all her paths lead to peace.
I believe this is why there is a universal custom to throw candies into the air above the Torah, to show it is sweet; the kids swarm round to pick up the diamonds that lay beneath her.

So we lift the bride high into the air, on Simhat Torah, so proud, knowing the true worth of who we married, showing her beautiful ways to the whole world.

Hag Sameah! Tizku Lshanim Rabbot!
Rabbi Shlomo Farhi