Torah Cannot be Torah Without Us
Reflecting on Simchat Torah
Thanks to social media and electronic devices you can check in on Foursquare and read the Mishkan T'filah prayer book on a handheld device at the same time. Yet for all the modern inventions, the Torah remains unaffected.
Rethinking the Holy Days
I’ve come to the conclusion we need to change the date of Simchat Torah. Our Jewish festivals must be re-envisioned as inspirational community gatherings of joyful spiritual Jewish celebration. Every single festival needs to be a time of great community involvement and meaning.
Tu BiShvat: Customs and Rituals
Tu BiShvat: History
Sh'mini Atzeret and Simchat Torah: History
Sh'mini Atzeret and Simchat Torah: Customs and Rituals
Simchat Torah
"Rejoicing in the Law;" holiday that celebrates the completion (and then the beginning) of the annual reading of the Torah.
Tu BiShvat
"15th of Shevat;" New Year of the Trees; Jewish Arbor Day, which is a minor festival.
Celebrate Torah
Every year, the season of reflection and renewal is culminated by the celebration of Simchat Torah (literally “the rejoicing of the Torah”).