Remember with love – and celebrate!
My Yizkor sermon on Shmini Atzeret (Thursday morning) will build on what Elie Wiesel told world Jewry about Simhat Torah during the war. When asked about celebrating this unique holiday right after the Holocaust he said, “Yes, They Should!”
One year after the 10/7 Pogrom we will engage and embrace our rituals at Or Zarua and raise our glasses l’chaim – to life! Even when our ancestors were challenged and attacks took loved ones from us Jews continued to gather for holy day celebrations and services. And of course finding space to recall our own loved ones and to seek their loving and inspirational presence is what Yizkor is all about.
As for our Simhat Torah rituals, we will still have our mitzvahs and good deeds auction at night – it’s all in good fun! – in order to “win” the opportunity to chant the requisite verses before and after we open the ark. Children and adults alike pledge acts of kindness or ways of participating at Or Zarua. For instance, people pledge to attend daily minyan, read Torah, learn and read Jewish books and/or give tzedakah (after yom tov!).
One change to our ritual will help us mark the connection between this Simhat Torah and last year’s 10/7 Pogrom on our holiday. The first hakafa on both Thursday night and Friday morning will be a little different, as we will keep the Torahs at the table and not parade them around the shul. Plus, we will sing songs of UNITY, STRENGTH AND REMEMBRANCE; I’ve created a unique song sheet with special intentions to seek God’s help, for freeing the hostages, for returning those turned from their houses to their family homes and to create connection with all Am Yisrael. But dance and march with the Torahs we must! That will start with Hakafa Beit, the second processional. Those leading the singing will again be at the bimah where everyone is welcome to come have a l’chaim – we have spirits and grape juice flowing.
It is time for coming together for yom tovs and then for the Sabbath. Yes, we have another three-day yom tov. How much strength we must gather to continue the holiday spirit! Shabbat Bereshit is when we begin the reading of the Torah anew. My sermon for the first Torah portion in Genesis will be: Farming, Music, Metallurgy: Al Shlosha Devarim – The Three Legged Table of Genesis.
Amy was on a bus blessing our son at college with the traditional words of “God bless you and keep you…God turn a Divine Face to you and grant you both inner peace and a world of peace.” Hearing the Hebrew an Israeli woman turned to her and checked in about the holiday schedule. “We have to celebrate,” said the Israeli, “otherwise they win.”
Come join the celebrations and be strengthened through our unique and traditional commemorations. Memories for blessings, inspiration and strength.
Hag Sameah and Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Bolton