B"H
Wednesday, Tishrei 21, 5785 / October 23, 2024
Today (Wednesday) is the seventh day of Sukkot, called "Hoshana Raba." In addition to blessing over the Lulav and Etrog, we also perform the mitzvah of Hoshanot, during the morning prayers.
Five willow branches tied together are held during the special Hoshanot prayers which we recite during the Shacharit (morning) service. At the end of the prayer, we strike the willow branches on the floor. For many people, today is the last day of eating in the Sukkah. Some still eat in the Sukkah tonight and tomorrow, Shmini Atzeret.
Tonight (Wednesday night) we begin the last two days of this holiday: Shmini Atzeret and Simchat Torah. In Israel, Shmini Atzeret and Simchat Torah are celebrated as one day. It was last year on Shmini Atzeret that the Hamas massacre took place in Israel. Over 1000 Jews were murdered and 200 taken captive. May G-d avenge their blood and may the hostages be released very soon. Amen.
On Shmini Atzeret, the cantor recites the special prayer for "Geshem" (rain) during the Musaf service. From Shmini Atzeret until Passover we mention rain in the daily Amida prayers ("Mashiv Haruach Umorid Hageshem").
On Thursday, Shmini Atzeret, we recite Yizkor, the prayer that recalls our loved ones who have passed away.
Thursday night begins Simchat Torah. We take out all the Torahs from the ark for "HaKafot". First, we circle around the reader's table with the Torahs and give everyone a chance to kiss the Torah. Then we sing, dance and rejoice with the Torah. Many synagogues also perform HaKafot - dancing and rejoicing with the Torahs – Wednesday night.
On Simchat Torah we read from three Torahs. In the first, we read "V'Zot HaBracha" the final Parsha of the Torah, thus concluding the weekly Torah cycle for the year. In the second Torah, we begin Parshat Breishis, starting the Torah for the new yearly cycle. In the third Torah, we read the Maftir. We rejoice with the Torah on Simchat Torah to celebrate the fact that we have merited to both conclude the Torah and start it again from the beginning.
The Last Parsha of the Torah is V'Zot HaBracha. It begins with the blessings which Moshe gave the Children of Israel, before his death. G-d then tells Moshe to go up Mount Nebo, where G-d shows him the entire Land of Israel. The Parsha ends with the passing of Moshe, "And Moshe the servant of Hashem died... and He [G-d] buried him... And no man knows his burial place to this day... Moshe was a hundred and twenty years old when he died; his eyes were undimmed (even after death - Rashi) and his freshness did not depart. The Children of Israel wept for Moshe. There has never again arisen in Israel a prophet like Moshe to whom the L-rd revealed Himself face to face." The Talmud discusses whether Moshe or Joshua wrote the part which speaks of our great teacher's death. According to some, G-d dictated the words and Moshe wrote them with tears.
The Torah ends with the letter "Lamed" and begins with the letter "Bet". Together, they form the word "Lev" - "heart". This teaches us that one must put his/ her heart into the study of Torah and fulfillment of mitzvot.
Remember to come and bring the children to Shul to experience and partake in the joy of Simchat Torah.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY & CHAG SAMEACH
UNITED WE STAND WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY. MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW
Montreal candle lighting times: Wednesday: 5:45 / Thursday: 6:43 / Friday: 5:42. Shabbat ends: 6:41