Sukkot, Simhat Torah and the duet between God and Man

• Author: MOSHE TARAGIN
• Published date: 30 September 2021
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

A Private Invitation

As this holiday isn't tethered to a particular historical event, its scope extends beyond that of other Jewish holidays. Sukkot celebrates God's care for all humanity – Jew and non-Jew alike. Highlighting this international scope, the Temple ceremonies of Sukkot were synchronized to an international audience. During this seven-day celebration of "Divine providence," 70 sacrifices were proffered, correlating to the 70 nations of classic antiquity.

Sukkot reminds a Jew of his universalist mission: to represent God and true monotheism in this world, while challenging humanity to higher standards of morality. The holiday of Sukkot is pivoted upon the Temple as an international destination, and during this week, Jerusalem hosted foreign dignitaries from across the globe.

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Toward the conclusion of this holiday, the international celebration transitioned into a one-day private rendezvous between God and his chosen nation: Shmini Atzeret, or the eighth day of repose. As the festival ebbed to a close, we were beckoned to layover an extra day, "alone" in His house. After the eight-day fanfare subsided,we enjoyed a quiet day of peaceful seclusion with God. Sukkot and Shmini Atzeret comprise a multi-layered holiday, distilling both our grand historical mission as well as our intimate relationship with God.

Extending the "Extension"

Our historical Jewish mission would be "put to the test." For 1,900 years, Jews would wander this planet bereft of a common culture, deprived of a national homeland, all the while longing for their extinct Temple – the icon of our ageless mission. During this dark period of exile, our national experience was severely handicapped. We lacked a homeland, a government, a Temple and a judiciary body or Sanhedrin capable of properly and accurately adjusting our lunar calendar. Lacking "calendric precision" and living in foreign lands, Jews observed two days of Shmini Atzeret. Severed from Israel, Shmini Atzeret became doubled. Two days of Shmini Atzeret (and for that matter every other holiday) became a conspicuous symbol of life in exile.

The Shift

A shift occurred about 1,000 years ago, as the second day of Shmini Atzeret morphed into Simhat Torah. Since the yearly Torah reading cycle concludes on the second day of Shmini Atzeret, Jewish communities initiated various festivities and...