Community at Temple Israel
Rabbi’s Message – October 23, 2024
As we celebrate Simchat Torah tonight, we reach the culmination of the annual Torah reading cycle and the joyful moment of starting anew. Last week we observed Sukkot, and now with Simchat Torah we conclude the “time of our rejoicing.” Having completed the work of introspection of Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur, we gather together and look forward to the year ahead.
During our Simchat Torah services, just after we honor our youngest students with a Consecration ritual, we are able to parade, and perhaps even dance, with the Torah scrolls before moving to the Great Hall to unroll the entire Torah. The feeling of standing facing one another, literally touching the Torah scroll, and how it represents our past, present, and future, that is indescribable. We want you to be part of this powerful moment – many hands make lifting the words of Torah a little easier for all! Together, the youngest and newest to the most experienced among us, all recommit to the ongoing journey of Jewish learning.
As we begin again, we are renew ourselves to an ongoing journey of Jewish learning and discovery, from the most ancient of our texts to the newest and youngest in our community as we honor our Consecration students during services. Just as we lift the Torah up, we lift up these students, whose dedication and eagerness strengthen our community.
In the theme of beginning anew – our Wednesday Torah Commentary class has selected Shai Held’s The Heart of Torah as their next commentary to dive deeper into the weekly portions, wrestle with the text, and ask big questions. I invite you to join us at Temple on Wednesdays at 10am for this study and the comradery of the group.
Last year, our joy in Simchat Torah dissipated too quickly as news of the attack on Israel reached us. A year has passed since then, and we continue to pray for safety, peace, and the return of the hostages. A few months ago, I thought I’d feel more conflicted entering this season of joy knowing the anniversary it marks on the Hebrew calendar. As the season has approached, I do not feel nearly as conflicted as I anticipated. This is not to diminish the gravity of the ongoing war in Gaza and the ongoing missile attacks on Israel, but rather to acknowledge the strength I felt in gathering for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, for the commemoration on Oct 7th, and throughout this past month. It is a reminder that no matter where our journey takes us, we will be able to open a doorway to a new beginning, a new year, and a new Torah cycle of learning and growth.
I look forward to studying together, growing together, and continuing our journey together where every end is also a new beginning.
Moadim L’simchah!