October 2004
Come On, Have Some Fun on Sukkot and Simchat Torah
There's a debate going on about whether rabbis should encourage Jews to
participate in their religion out of a sense of duty and responsibility, or
rather by stressing the personal meaning and benefits that they will derive
from Jewish observance. Recent studies have actually suggested that the religious
groups that are growing and flourishing in the United States are those that
demand a lot from their adherents, while those with low demands are diminishing.
We might say that this debate really goes all the way back to the ancient disagreements
of Hillel and Shammai, two sages in first-century Judaea. Hillel was lenient
and welcoming; Shammai was strict and demanding (Jewish law almost always follows
Hillel, by the way). In fact, one might say it goes all the way back to Moses
and Aaron. Moses was viewed as the stern lawgiver, while Aaron was known as
the peacemaker and the one who brought people close with a smile.
Although I'm a confirmed follower of Hillel myself, I can see that there's some
truth to each approach. Being Jewish is kind of like being married or having
a family: It's full of rewards and pleasure, but also of responsibilities and
duties.
What surprises me is how often Jews will willingly take on the responsibilities,
and yet pass on the pleasures. We see this especially at the holiday season.
It's not that hard to convince us to come to long and serious services for the
High Holidays, even to fast all day on Yom Kippur.
But four days later we begin one of the most festive, joyful and fun holidays
of the year. And then rabbis have to scramble and cajole and wrack their brains
for creative ways to get their congregants to come and have some FUN!
The solemn white of the Days of Awe burst into a kaleidoscope of vibrant color
in the harvest festival of Sukkot. We build beautiful huts covered with green
branches and decorated with fruit, in which we eat and spend time in memory
of our ancestors who dwelt in booths when they left Egypt. We also wave the
Lulav and Etrog, fragrant citrons along with palm fronds, myrtles & willows.
Although these holidays are fun, they serve a serious spiritual purpose. In
fact, in ancient days Sukkot was the most important holiday of the year, and
Yom Kippur was a day of purification to prepare the Temple for the observance
of Sukkot! Later the mystics would understand that only through the concrete
physical observances of Sukkot and Simchat Torah are we able to integrate and
ground the lofty spiritual energy of the High Holidays.
At CBI we have wonderful and fun holiday events planned for every day of Sukkot
? something for everyone! For details, see p.___. The first and last days of
the festival (the last day is really an additional holiday, Shemini-Atzeret)
are Holy Days ? like an extra bonus Shabbat. These days are called Yom Tov.
The climax of the entire Fall Festival season comes with Simchat Torah ? rejoicing
with the Torah, which takes place on Wednesday, Oct. 6, at 7 p.m. No Jewish
child ? and for that matter, no Jewish teen or grownup ? should miss this ecstatic
celebration as we complete our annual Torah cycle and begin again with the story
of Creation. In addition to the Torah parades (hakafot), dancing and singing,
refreshments, flags, tiny torahs and goodies for the children, we will be accompanied
by LIVE klezmer music by a fabulous band, the Klezbillies! Don't miss this celebration
? make those Torah circuits or be square! Did I mention that a big attendance
at Simchat Torah is guaranteed in my contract? (Just kidding, but it should
be). OK, I'm getting carried away nudging you to come out and do something Jewish
that is really FUN! And as Hillel once said, "If not now ? when?"
Chag Sameach ? Happy Holidays!
Rabbi Julie Hilton Danan