Simchat Torah - I learned something new about it
Tomorrow we celebrate Simchat Torah. What is Simchat Torah:
“Simchat Torah means
"Rejoicing in the Torah."
This holiday marks the completion of the annual cycle of weekly Torah readings…. On
Simchat Torah, we read the last Torah portion, then proceed immediately to the
first chapter of Genesis, reminding us that the Torah is a circle, and never
ends.
This completion of
the readings is a time of great celebration. There are processions around the
synagogue carrying Torah scrolls and
plenty of high-spirited singing and dancing in the synagogue with the Torahs.
Drinking is also common during this time; in fact, a traditional source
recommends performing the priestly blessing earlier than usual in the service,
to make sure the kohanim are
not drunk when the time comes!
In some synagogues,
confirmation ceremonies or ceremonies marking the beginning of a child's Jewish
education are held at this time.
Shemini Atzeret and
Simchat Torah are holidays on which work is not permitted.”
http://www.jewfaq.org/holiday6.htm
There is one thing I learned from investigating on the
meaning of Simchat Torah. I thought that it is a selebration of Adonai giving
Torah to people. Well, I was not
correct. It is a celebration of people finishing reading the Torah cycle. It is more about us than G-d. Wow!
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