Most people think that the most important day on the Jewish calendar is Yom Kippur. After all it is the highest of the High Holy Days, the climax of the Days of Awe, the day that every Jew makes sure to be seen at a Synagogue. Indeed, from a mystical standpoint, Yom Kippur is the day that we solidify our deep-seated relationship with G-d. Ne’ilah is the time that our soul essence becomes one with the Essence of Hashem.
Yet, in my humble opinion this is a slight miscalculation. Without diminishing the significance of Yom Kippur, I would argue that Simchat Torah is the most significant day. The one day a Jew needs to be found in Shul more than any other is Simchat Torah. It is everything that Yom Kippur is but with the advantage of Simcha – joy. Joy has the ability to take a person outside the box. Joy can help a Jew get past the inhibitions he struggles with in experiencing and expressing his relationship with Hashem. Joy allows a person to revel in his connection to Hashem. On Simchat Torah we not only declare our allegiance to G-d, we actually celebrate it. A person can unabashedly announce “I love Yiddishkeit” and really mean it.
This is why at Chabad we say, “Leave your reservations at the door.” On Simchat Torah a Jew comes to dance and celebrate with an open mind and an open heart. Please join us as we discover together this amazing treasure that is Simchat Torah. You might learn a thing or two about yourself in the process. Wishing you a true Chag Sameach.
Rabbi Mendel Rivkin