CROWNS ARE FOR KINGS
The end of the Succos holiday culminates with Simchas Torah, a celebration of our concluding the reading of the Torah and the restarting it up once again. But why are we celebrating the Torah at the conclusion of Succos and not on the holiday of Shavuous, which celebrates the receiving of the the Torah at Mount Sinai?
Every nation requires some form of leader if there is hope of its existence. It may be a monarch or it may be a President or a Prime Minister. Without leadership it will not survive and certainly will not be able to thrive and grow in a healthy manner. The question must therefore be asked; how have we, the Jewish people, maintained our nationality with no country, no mon-arch and no form of government? We have been dispersed throughout the globe and yet we are one cohesive people for thousands of years! How is this accomplished?
The answer lies in the Torah. It is the Torah who has reigned supreme throughout the ages of Jewish history. As vast as the differences may be be-tween the various Jewish communities that dot the globe they all share a common and respect, acceptance and submission to the Torah. The Torah has always remained the universal accepted authority. She is the monarch, she is the government system by which our peoplehood is maintained.
The Torah addresses every area of law. From the laws regarding property ownership to civil issues, from tort to zoning issues and every other area of law. In every Jewish community throughout the ages She was the decider on all issues.
The three holidays of the Jewish calendar, Pesach, Shavuous and Succos represent the entirety of Jewish history. Pesach represents the birth of our nation that occurred 3,300 years ago. Shavuous represents the receiving of the Torah from HaKadosh baruch Hu which first occurred 3,300 years ago at Mount Sinai but continues to occur every time a Jew sits down to study Torah. Yes, there is a direct communication from HaKadosh baruch Hu to that student of Torah, a continuous transmission that began at Mount Sinai.
Succos represents the eternity of our people. It represents the resilience of a people who fell from their lofty heights of receiving the Torah at Mount Sinai with the complete revelation of HaShem to the lowest point of rejecting Him by participating in the Golden Calf. In spite of our overwhelming fall HaKadosh baruch Hu took us back and reassured us that He would never forsake us. We were given a mission and that mission will be accomplished. No matter the country to which we will be exiled, no matter the duration of that exile, no matter the persecution we will be subjected to, we will persevere and come out the other end ready to achieve our mission. That complete assurance is the joy that is expressed on Succos.
It is therefore most appropriate for us to celebrate our Torah. She is the one who carries us through this long, enduring odyssey. We therefore spend the entire day following the holiday of Succos lifting her up high and dancing with her. We bring our entire families to the synagogues, even the small children come to dance and celebrate with her. It is the day when we recommit ourselves to her teachings and refresh our relationship with her.
The winter months represent the dark days of our current state of exile when the days are short and cold. It is no wonder that this joyous day is the final day of celebration before that winter sets in. It encourages us to hold on tight to her teachings and never loosen our grip on studying her sacred words.
Have a most joyous Simchas Torah and a wonderful Shabbos.
Paysach Diskind