B"H
Tishrei 18, 5766 * October 21, 2005
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F O R F R I D A Y N I G H T
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Shabbat in Succot - Conclusion of the Festival
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In Praise of G-D
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Why were we created? In order to recognize G-d and to praise Him. How do we praise Him? One way is through song, and a prime example of this is the Hallel song of praise which is sung in the synagogue on every day of Succot, including this Shabbat.
Hallel consists of a series of Psalms (113-118) which in Temple times would be sung by the Levites in the Temple with musical accompaniment. The main theme is exultant praise of G-d for His deliverance of the Jewish people.
On days other than Shabbat during the Succot festival, the Lulav (palm) branches together with the Etrog (citron), the myrtle and the willow, are held during Hallel, and waved at certain points. This gives a beautiful look to the synagogue. On the Shabbat in Succot the Lulav and Etrog are not used. Hallel is sung without them.
After Hallel, on days of Succot other than Shabbat, there is a procession round the Bima, carrying the Lulav and Etrog, chanting a moving prayer called Hoshana. This reflects something similar which took place in the Temple, walking round the Altar. Then on Monday 24 October will be Hoshana Rabba (the Great Hoshana), when the procession with Lulav branches goes round the Bima seven times.
There is a sense of climax, concluding the sense of supplicating G-d for blessing for the New Year. We now feel that the blessing has been granted.
Rejoicing With The Torah
Tuesday night and Wednesday (26 October) will be Simchat Torah. The annual cycle of Torah readings reaches the end of the Torah and we begin again from the beginning. There is a joyful atmosphere and we dance with the Torah Scrolls. The Torah Scroll contains the word of G-d, dictated to Moses. Every letter is significant, and teaches something. The primeval Torah is written in letters of black fire on a background of white fire. From this comes the Torah Scroll, with letters of ink on parchment.
The Torah provides guidance to us throughout the generations, in many varied conditions. The Oral Law called the Mishnah and Talmud teaches us how to understand the Torah teachings needed in any particular situation.
G-d gave Himself to us when He gave us the Torah. The Torah is the most precious possession of the Jewish people throughout time. The traditional way to express our joy at having the Torah is by dancing with the Torah Scrolls in the Synagogue.
To Dance or Not to Dance?
Is dancing really the way to serve G-d? Doesn't it detract from our sense of decorum? We find in the Book of Samuel that this is an ancient question. King David, at the head of a large crowd, was bringing the Holy Ark to Jerusalem. Trumpets and Shofars were blowing, and he was dancing joyfully with all his strength. His wife Michal, the daughter of King Saul, saw his unrestrained dancing and later told him off. Very fine indeed for the King of Israel to behave like that!, she said sarcastically [1].
King David, of course, was right. An ancient and ever new feature of Judaism is to rejoice openly before G-d. The Rambam cites King David as an example for us all, inspiring us to feel and express true joy in the festivals and in all our service of G-d [2].
Footnotes:
1. 2 Samuel 6:20-22.
2. Rambam, Mishneh Torah, end of Laws of the Lulav.
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Are you prepared for Sukkot?
Our extensive Jewish New Year website has how-to’s, stories, lessons and even recipes! It's sure to make your holiday more meaningful and insightful!
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http://www.chabad.org/holidays/jewishnewyear/calendar_events.asp
Wishing you and your family a happy and joyous Holiday!
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By Dr. Tali Loewenthal, Director of Chabad Research Unit, London
Brought to you by Chabad.org
For more Parshah study, please visit: http://www.chabad.org/parsha
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