“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)”
Hoshana Rabbah
21 Tishrei 5785/ October 23, 2024
ELEVATED CIRCLES
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 4 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
happening 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 spritzed 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 rather
incongruous and inappropriate. 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 Succah 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, but he
also 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,
but he also 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 Succos is very connected with circles. Each day of Succos
we circle the bimah and recite hoshanos prayers. On Hoshanah Rabbah we circle
the bimah 7 times and recite 7 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 Succah that has circular
walls. It triggers an exciting discussion (if math excites you) about diameter,
radius and pi.)
Megillas Koheles, read on Succos, 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 person, his life is anything but futile. It’s not about doing more
exciting things but about discovering excitement and blessings 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 marks 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’ll just have to sing and dance a little louder and a little
prouder!
Piskta Tava
& Git Kvittel
Freilichen Yom
Tov & Chag Sameiach
Shabbat Shalom
& Good Shabbos,
R’ Dani and
Chani Staum