Rabbi Explains the Profound Joy of Simchat Torah
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
The story in 4 lines · by baba
- Simchat Torah's joy is about feeling God's presence, not just receiving the Torah.
- A story illustrates reaching a spiritual level of divine connection.
- This connection is described as a living bond with the Creator.
- The rabbi prayed for continued closeness to God and joy in Torah.
Rabbi Israel Reider discussed the spiritual depth of Simchat Torah, emphasizing the feeling of God's presence. He recounted a story about a charity collector who, on the eve of Yom Kippur, agreed to drink a large amount of vodka in exchange for a significant donation. After drinking, he collapsed and fell asleep, only waking up near the concluding prayers. Mistaking the open Ark for Simchat Torah, he ran towards it, shouting with enthusiasm. The other worshippers, confused, were about to remove him from the synagogue when Rabbi Baal HaTanya intervened. He explained that the man had reached a spiritual level where he could feel God's presence tangibly, equating this to the profound joy of Simchat Torah. This joy, Rabbi Reider elaborated, is not merely about receiving the Torah but about the direct connection with the Creator. He concluded with a prayer to always feel God's closeness and to rejoice in the Torah and its Giver with all one's heart.
Read the original at Kikar HaShabbat
