Orthodox Communities Celebrate Sukkot and Simchat Torah with Joyful Gatherings
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
Thousands of Hasidic Jews across various communities celebrated Sukkot, Hoshana Rabbah, and Simchat Torah with large gatherings, prayer services, and festive meals. Celebrations included the Bobov, Vizhnitz, and Erloy Hasidic courts, among others, featuring rituals like the lulav and etrog shaking and Hakafot Shniyot. Specific events included the Dinov Rebbe dancing with torches, the Skulener Rebbe leading Hakafot Shniyot, and the Bialer Rebbe dancing with a historic Torah scroll. The article details numerous celebrations across different Hasidic groups, highlighting communal joy and religious observance.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Thousands of Hasidic Jews celebrated Sukkot, Hoshana Rabbah, and Simchat Torah with large gatherings and religious ceremonies.
- The Bobov Hasidic court in Boro Park was a central location for holiday observances, drawing thousands.
- Various Hasidic communities, including Vizhnitz, Erloy, and Dinov, held festive Simchat Beit HaShoeva and Hakafot Shniyot events.
- The celebrations featured traditional rituals such as shaking the lulav and etrog, dancing, and singing.
- Notable events included the Dinov Rebbe dancing with torches and the Bialer Rebbe dancing with a historic Torah scroll.
Across various Hasidic communities, the holidays of Sukkot, Hoshana Rabbah, and Simchat Torah were marked by elaborate celebrations, drawing thousands of followers. In Boro Park, the large sukkah at the Bobov Hasidic court became a focal point, with attendees observing the Rebbe's rituals, including the shaking of the lulav and etrog, and participating in festive meals. Similar scenes unfolded in other Hasidic centers, featuring joyous dancing, singing, and religious services.
The Vizhnitz Hasidic community celebrated the holiday with large gatherings, including a "Simchat Beit HaShoeva" (rejoicing of the water-drawing ceremony) and solemn prayers for the Day of Judgment, culminating in Simchat Torah celebrations. The Erloy Hasidic court also held festivities throughout the holiday, with the Rebbe visiting the Western Wall for a special prayer ceremony. The Dinov Hasidic community in Beitar celebrated Simchat Beit HaShoeva with their Rebbe, who danced with torches, an act that also involved the mayor and other prominent figures.
Other communities observed unique traditions. The Skulener Rebbe led the "Hakafot Shniyot" (second circuits with the Torah scrolls) with great fervor in Jerusalem. In Bnei Brak, the Breslov community held a Simchat Beit HaShoeva, preceded by a festive meal. The Rebbe of Munkacs led a Simchat Beit HaShoeva, and the Rebbe of Kretshnif in Jerusalem conducted a spirited ceremony of Hakafot Shniyot. The Sanz Rebbe's celebrations included prayers and a powerful address during Hakafot Shniyot.
Further celebrations included the Machnovka Rebbe's Hakafot Shniyot, the D'Arg Rebbe's Hakafot Shniyot, and a joint celebration between the Kaliver and Skulener Rebbes in Jerusalem. The Bialer Rebbe danced with a small Torah scroll that survived Siberian exile during Hakafot Shniyot. Rabbi Yaakov Meir Shachter, the elder rabbi of Breslov, led Hakafot Shniyot, with Rabbi Lipa Friedman holding a Torah scroll. The Toldot Aaron Rebbe performed the tradition of throwing blessed apples to his followers, and the Kopczynitz Rebbe led celebrations in Jerusalem. Additionally, Rabbi Meir Tsvi Bergman visited the Gerer Rebbe for discussions on Torah and current events.
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