I know the Jewish people have been doing the Simchas Torah dancing thing the same way for thousands of years. But based on some trends I see in America, I was thinking of some new ideas we can introduce into our Simchas Torah celebration.
Firstly, there can be moshing. I learned about this concept in recent years when, while dancing in a pleasant circle, a crowd of young men converged on the middle, jumping up and down and squishing all the little people, like me, and ensuring that everyone experienced their body odor up close.
I soon learned that this is a dancing trend these days. Perhaps we can try that in the middle of hakafos as well. We’ll just warn the young children and older men to run for cover in advance.
For my next idea, how about a July-Fourth-style fireworks display to symbolize the light of Torah? Perhaps those who brought us the Shabbos Lamp and slow-release Tylenol/caffeine pills for Yom Kippur can develop slow-release fireworks that can be lit before Yom Tov and will only detonate the following evening. I’m not sure if there is any halachic permit to have fireworks on Yom Tov. But that can be debated later.
Finally, I would suggest a sports-like celebration, like the ones displayed by Playoff and World Series winners. We can have the walls of the shul and the sifrei Torah covered in plastic. Then we can bring in tons of bottles of champagne that can be opened and shpritzed over the members of the shul. Perhaps the shul MVP, such as the gabbai, president, or even the rabbi can stand in front of the shul and explain to everyone why they love learning Torah so much. Right in the middle of the speech, other members can pour champagne over their heads and make sure it runs into their eyes. That, too, would be a really special symbol of celebration.
I have a feeling my suggestions are not going to be given much credence. In fact, although I did find my ideas entertaining, the thought of such unholy modes of celebration in such a holy place regarding such a holy matter seems pretty incongruous and inappropriate. Please forgive me for using such imagery to make a point.
During one of the days of Chol HaMoed this week, my family enjoyed a boat ride up the Hudson River. As we walked back to the car afterwards, we met a frum couple and, as is customary, engaged in Jewish geography. It turns out that the woman is a daughter of Rav Avigdor Miller zt”l.
I asked her for a story or message about her father. She replied that his whole life was about living an internally meaningful life. On the outside, one couldn’t discern Rabbi Miller’s greatness. He seemed so pleasant and happy and yet so simple. However, those who knew him recognized that he lived with intentionality. He saw and attributed meaning to everything he did. His daughter noted that when he passed a mezuzah, he would reflect upon its message: a reminder that Hashem is protecting the home. The same was true when he would see tzitzis. He would sit in the sukkah and reflect upon its timeless and vital message. He personified the notion that one shouldn’t just do what he does. Rather, he should experience it fully by focusing and contemplating it. With a few moments of thought, a specific action and, in fact, one’s entire life, can be elevated.
Part of Rabbi Miller’s greatness was his ability to live a holy life even in the mundane. It’s well known that he not only hardly left Brooklyn, he hardly veered from his daily routine at all. That included walking the same route day after day. Yet not only was Rabbi Miller not bored with life, he never lost his sense of wonder or awe for the daily happenings in his life. This included the human body, the blessing of family, the genius of apple seeds, joy in being a member of the Torah nation, etc.
The Yom Tov of Sukkos is very much connected with circles. On each day of Sukkos, we circle the Shulchan and recite Hoshanos prayers. On Hoshana Rabbah, we circle the Shulchan seven times and recite seven Hoshanos prayers. It is customary for the lulav to be bound with three circular “rings.” We dance on Simchas Torah in circular formation.
(The Gemara even discusses the validity of a sukkah that has circular walls. It triggers an exciting discussion – if math excites you – about diameter, radius, and pi.)
Megillas Koheles, read on Sukkos, bemoans the futility of this world and of our lives in this world. The deeper and more profound message of Koheles is that if one transcends the physical confines of this world to live for a greater purpose, his life is anything but futile. It’s not about doing more exciting things but about discovering excitement and blessing in the daily grind.
On Simchas Torah, we dance around and around and sing/repeat the same words over and over. We don’t need to spray champagne, shoot fireworks, and surely not to bump people. Walk into any shul on Simchas Torah and you will feel genuine joy. It’s a joy in being part of something beyond limitations and knowing that we have an integral share in it.
This year marked the first yahrzeit of the massacres that occurred on Simchas Torah last year. Our enemies specifically attacked on Simchas Torah to shut down our song and dance through barbarism and humiliation.
So, we just sang and danced a little louder and a little prouder!
Rabbi Dani Staum, LMSW, is a popular speaker, columnist, and author. He is a rebbe at Heichal HaTorah in Teaneck, NJ. and principal of Mesivta Orchos Yosher in Spring Valley, NY. Rabbi Staum is also a member of the administration of Camp Dora Golding. He can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and at www.strivinghigher.com.
