SHEMINI ATZERET - SIMCHAT TORAH - REJOICING OF THE LAW

“I rejoice at Your word as one who finds great treasure.”  

Psalm 119:162 (NKJV)

Simchat Torah (Rejoicing of the Law) is celebrated on the eighth day of Sukkot (Oct. 5,2015). In the Diaspora it is celebrated a day later. Simchat Torah marks the conclusion of the annual Torah reading cycle and the beginning of a new one.

During Temple times, 70 sacrifices were offered during the seven days of Sukkot - more than on any other holiday. Some believe it was to be an act of gratefulness for a successful harvest that was coupled with a prayer for abundance in the upcoming year. Talmudic scholars believe that the 70 sacrifices were to bring merit to the proverbial 70 nations of the world. Today, congregants pray for the gentile nations.

Rabbis have tried to answer why God commanded an eighth day, even though He stipulated that Sukkot was only seven days. According to them, God asked His people to remain with Him for one more day. The practice of the annual reading cycle was established between the sixth and eleventh century AD, and therefore is not mentioned in the Talmud. In the Middle Ages, some communities lit bonfires, using the dismantled and disposable parts of the sukkah.

On the evening of Simchat Torah, (Sunday evening) all the Torah scrolls are taken out of the Ark and carried around the bimah (reader’s platform). This is the only night of the year that this is done. During the seven-fold procession (hakkafot) a special chant is sung. Each procession is separated by an interlude of singing and dancing in which the people carrying the Torah scrolls are joined by others. 

The children carry Simchat Torah flags or miniature scrolls.

Some congregations read Deuteronomy 33:1-17; it is the only time the reading of the Law takes place in the evenings. During the morning service, another seven-fold procession takes place, followed by reading Deuteronomy 33 and 34. It is customary for all males to be called to the Reading of the Law. Some synagogues allow both men and women to come to the bimah.

During the Kol Hane’arim (Calling up the children) ceremony, the children stand together under a large woollen prayer shawl, while Jacob’s blessing is recited:

“May the God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day... may he bless these boys [and girls]. May they be called by my name and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac, and may they increase greatly upon the earth." Genesis 48: 15-16 (NIV)

The last section of the Pentateuch is reserved for the Chatan Torah (Bridegroom of the Law). After the honoured congregant finishes the reading, the congregation says in a loud voice, “Hazak, hazak, ve’nithazek! (Be strong, be strong and let us be strengthened!)”

Now a second scroll (Genesis) is taken and the new reading cycle begins.

The person honoured to read Genesis 1-2:3 is called the Chatan Bereshit  (Bridegroom of the beginning). A third person, the Maftir is called to read the prophetic reading from Joshua chapter 1. In the past, the two “grooms” had to provide a lavish feast for the whole congregation, but nowadays only wine and light food is served.

In Israel it is customary to hold another, outdoor, hakkafot on the night after Simchat Torah. In the synagogues, the Torah is read on Shabbat, most holidays and on the Monday and Thursday mornings. This custom goes back to ancient times when most Jews were farmers or shepherds. On these days they brought their fare to the market. After having sold their produce, the men gathered to read the Torah.

This article is taken from the book "Remember Observe, Rejoice, a Guide to the Jewish Feasts, holidays, Memorial Days and Events." © Petra van der Zande. 

ISBN 978-965-7542-61-3

SUKKOT - THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES

The week long holiday of Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles) usually falls the end of September, beginning of October. During this “season of our rejoicing”, the Jewish people eat their meals in a tabernacle or booth, covered with boughs but with the sky showing through in remembrance of the wanderings from Egypt to the Promised Land. Sukkot is one of the three Pilgrim festivals ordained by God. People had to go up to Jerusalem to celebrate the feast in the Temple.

"Three times you shall keep a feast to Me in the year: You shall keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread… at the time appointed in the month of Abib… and the Feast of Harvest, the first fruits of your labours which you have sown in the field; and the Feast of Ingathering at the end of the year. Three times in the year all your males shall appear before the Lord GOD.” Exodus 23:16 (NKJV)

Being an observant Jew, Jesus too celebrated

 Sukkot.

“Now the Jews' Feast of Tabernacles was at hand… Then the Jews sought him (Jesus) at the feast, and said, Where is he? … Now about the midst of the feast, Jesus went up into the temple and taught… On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” 

John 7: 2,11,14,37-38 (NIV)

The three pilgrim feasts - 

Pesach (Passover), Shavuot (Pentecost) and Sukkot (Tabernacles) have both historical and agricultural significance. Because Sukkot occurred in the fall harvest, it was also observed as an agricultural event. Prayers for rain were also recited during this holiday.  In Israel, the first and last days are celebrated as a full holidays (like a Shabbat); The “Eighth Day of Solemn Assembly” is celebrated as Simchat Torah (Rejoicing of the Law). People are allowed to work during Chol Hamo'ed (intermediate days), but the festival framework is maintained. Schools are closed, and many families enjoy the holiday together by going on outings, visiting family or entertaining guests in their Sukkah.

Sukkot’s observance involves “dwelling” in the sukkah. The concept of thanksgiving for the harvest remains central, symbolized by the fruits (real or artificial) that decorate the sukkot (one sukkah, two sukkot). 

Some say the American Pilgrim fathers were influenced by the Jewish observance of Sukkot, from which Thanksgiving Day came.

An important symbolic item of the Festival is the Arba’ah Minim (Four Species). These are held together and waved at different points in the religious services. The four species consist of a lulav (palm branch), etrog (citron), hadasim ( three myrtle twigs) and the aravot (two willow branches). Combined, these are called the Lulav.

According to the Bible, in the millennial Kingdom gentile nations will have to come up to Jerusalem to celebrate Sukkot in order to be blessed with rain. Even though it is not commandment now, many Christians celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. 

"And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. And it shall be that whichever of the families of the earth do not come up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, on them there will be no rain." Zechariah 14:16-19 (NKJV)

Awesome, isn't it?

If you'd like to learn more about the Jewish Feasts and special days as they are celebrated in Israel, this book is a great reference guide:

                                                         

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