Rabbi Stav Urges Remembrance of Failures Alongside Simchat Torah Joy

As the holiday of Simchat Torah approaches, Rabbi David Stav has called for a balanced approach to the upcoming celebration, emphasizing the need to remember the failures and events of three years prior, alongside the holiday's inherent joy. He stated that while Simchat Torah is a joyous occasion, even during difficult historical periods like the ghettos, it also carries a somber aspect, with some communities historically observing it with quiet observances. However, Rabbi Stav cautioned against turning the entire holiday into an event of mourning, particularly in the current reality.

He stressed that the numerous miracles that have occurred should not lead the Jewish people to forget the significant disaster of three years ago. "I think sometimes there is a feeling in the general public and in parts of the religious-national public that because so many miracles have happened, it is permissible for us to forget the great disaster that befell us on Simchat Torah three years ago, and this is not correct, because we must always remember," he said. Rabbi Stav insisted that alongside acknowledging the miracles, it is forbidden to forget the failures, the responsibility, the events preceding Simchat Torah, and the great division that existed then. He urged continued focus on military and political accountability for what transpired.

Addressing the approaching election season and political divisions, Rabbi Stav drew a parallel to the concept of "Hoshanah Rabbah" and the "day of the willow," which represents diverse groups within Israel. He criticized the categorization of Israeli society into "good" and "bad," or labeling entire groups as inherently right or wrong. "It is permissible to argue about positions," he stated, "but God forbid that we should categorize people and categorize groups."

Earlier in the conversation, Rabbi Stav also commented on a miraculous airplane rescue that occurred the previous day, describing it as an event where many tangibly felt divine intervention. He noted that such an incident, had it resulted in disaster, could have escalated into a major global conflict with significant casualties. The conversation took place during a Hoshanah Rabbah event organized by "TorahNoar" at the Binyanei Ha'uma in Jerusalem, attended by over 5,000 youths.