The Infinite Celebration

B"H


We are now sitting in the middle of the high-holiday of "Sukkot." Having already experienced the long prayer sessions and fasting of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, our close connection to G-d comes out into the open and is expressed during Sukkot in a way of joy. At the end of Sukkot, we celebrate one more special day (outside of Israel=2 days) known as "Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah"-the joy/celebration of the Torah. Our sages say that dancing with the Torah in shul on Simchat Torah is equal in greatness and holiness to fasting on Yom Kippur. "Joy breaks all boundaries" our sages tell us, and if you don't feel happy...then dance! Because by dancing and "pretending" to be joyful, one is led to a true joy. G-d Wants us, as Jews, to be joyful: "Serve G-d in joy"-Psalm 100, and this week of Sukkot, known as the happiest of festivals, is a good time to start!

But what about "Simchat Torah"? What's so special about this day over the 7 days of Sukkot and even Yom Kippur, that we celebrate to such an extreme? I mean, it's easily understood why we should be joyful; we're celebrating our Torah, in which G-d has given us DIvine Laws of justice and righteousness and a true guide to life. A book that, by shaping our lives to it, brings us to true happiness.
But why now? why the day after Sukkot specifically?
The Torah says: "On the eighth day you will have a holy convocation...it is an atzeret." Our Rabbis of old explained why this day had to come immediately after Sukkot ended; G-d is Saying: "I have detained you with Me, like a king who invited his children to a feast for a certain number of days, and when the time arrived to take leave, he said, 'My children, please remain with me for yet another day' your separation is difficult for me." G-d can't bear to see us go. (The Lubavitcher Rebbe adds: If one looks closer at the words, it says "your separation", b/c only in our eyes does it appear that we have been separated from G-d after the holidays end. But it doesn't say "Our Separation," for G-d Never leaves His children)**
SO this Tuesday night, let's go to a Chabad House or wherever we are, and let's celebrate G-d's Torah that He Gave to His Beloved Children. And let's also remember that even when the holidays have ended, that the whole pt. was to bring the joy and message of Sukkot, to our entire year, to our day to day life. That G-d is always with us. Chag Sameach!

-Daniel

{To find your local Chabad House and it's schedule for the festivities, check: http://www.chabad.org/centers/default_cdo/jewish/Centers.htm

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**A 2nd interpretation by the Rebbe: "your separation"=G-d Is Pained when one Jew separates from another.

"Where Are You?" - Y. Kippur Meditation

B"H

In the yr. 1800, the founder of Chabad Chassidism, Rabbi Shneur Zalman
of Liadi (ca.1745-1812), was arrested on false charges of treason in
Russia,
and spent nearly a yr. in a St. Petersburg prison. During this stay,
many ministers & high ranking officials (knowing the holy Rebbe's
stature & great knowledge)
spent much time asking Q's to the 'Alter Rebbe.' There was one
minister who happened to have a thorough knowledge of the Torah, even
though he wasn't Jewish. One night he approached the Alter Rebbe in
his cell, and asked: "It says in Genesis, that after Adam sinned
through eating the forbidden fruit, he hid. G-d then Called to him
'Ayeka?'-'Where are you?' Why did G-d Ask such a question when He is
Everywhere and Knows all!? And don't tell me Rashi's explanation, that
G-d only Wanted to Open up a conversation with Adam with these words;
I know that explanation already."
The Alter Rebbe looked him in the eyes and said: "Do you believe that
the Torah is eternal and is relevant to each person at all times?" The
minister answered "yes." Continued the Rebbe: "Then what G-d is
Telling Adam, is really being told to each and every one of us, at all
times. 'Where are you?'
Each person is allotted a certain amount of years, days, and hours in
this world in order to do what Hashem wants of us. Are we fulfilling
our mission?" The Rebbe gazed at the minister and continued: "You have
lived such and such amount of years," (the Rebbe said exactly the age
of the minister), "what have you done in your lifetime? Have you done
good deeds to others? Have you been fulfilling your mission?" The
minister thanked the Rebbe for the explanation, and left deeply
impressed by his encounter.

As we reach Yom Kippur, this call to each and every one of us "Ayeka?
Where are you?" should be contemplated. Have I been fulfilling, or
trying to fulfill, my role in this world? the purpose of my unique
Jewish soul here? Many have the custom of taking on a new resolution
for themselves on Yom Kippur. Maybe lighting candles Fri. afternoon if
your a girl, or putting Tefillin as a boy. Maybe saying Shema before I
sleep and when I awake. Maybe giving 10% of my earnings to charity as
our sages teach. Any 'Mitzva' that will sensitize myself to my soul's
mission. Good luck to all of you! May you be inscribed and sealed for
a sweet year, in all physical and spiritual matters, together as 1.

-Daniel