Chag HaSukkos/Shemini Atzeres/Simchas Torah/Parshas Bereishis 5785
- Torah Tavlin
- Oct 16, 2024
- 2 min read
Gerrer Rebbe, R’ Yehudah Aryeh Leib Alter zt”l (Sefas Emes) would say: “'וחגתם אתו חג לה' שבעת ימים בשנה' - Only regarding the Yom Tov of Sukkos, does the posuk state, ‘You shall observe it for seven days in the year,’ implying that these seven days of joy constitute a vessel of simcha radiating joy throughout the year. Similarly, in our Kiddush on Yom Tov, we refer to our festivals as 'מועדים לשמחה' (appointed times for rejoicing) rather than 'מועדים בשמחה' (appointed times of rejoicing) to teach us that Jewish festivals are not only days of rejoicing, but storehouses of joy and gladness for the remainder of the year.”
Chacham Rabbeinu Yosef Chaim of Baghdad zt”l (Aderes Eliyahu) would say: “'ה' חפץ למען צדקו יגדיל תורה ויאדיר' - We yearn and pray for the geula every day and while we might like to believe that Moshiach will come in our zechus, Chazal tell us that the purpose of the geula is for Hashem and His holy Shechinah, which is also called ‘Tzedek.’ The word Tzedek means ‘just’ thereby insinuating that the exile was justified. The amazing thing is that this also insinuates that Hashem ‘went into galus with us’ and based on this we can believe that just as Hashem justified Himself going into exile with us, the Almighty will eventually justify redemption and redeem Himself thereby warranting our redemption as well, may it be speedily and in our days.”
A Wise Man would say:
“This year, Parshas Bereishis is read the day after Simchas Torah. Since it is a long parsha and the Baal Koreh may not have enough time to fully prepare, don’t jump all over him if he makes a mistake!”