We are poised to enter the final phase of this holiday month with the two days of Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah that begin tonight. This will also be the first Yahrtzeit (on the Jewish calendar) of all of those who were killed in the October 7 attacks last year. Yet, Simchat Torah is a joyous day, a day to celebrate our connection to Hashem, to the Torah, and to each other. Dare we celebrate on a day that commemorates the cruel murder of 1,200 of our brothers and sisters?
I believe the answer is a resounding yes. First of all, we do so because that is what Hashem commands us to do. Diving deeper into the question, I believe that we have an obligation to celebrate on behalf of the 1,200 who were murdered on that day, the 720 IDF soldiers who were killed in the subsequent conflict, the hostages who were killed, the hostages who are still in captivity, and the members of the IDF who are in combat and cannot participate in person.
Beyond that, celebrating and dancing is our way of showing that we will not allow the terrorists to win. We will proudly continue to live our Jewish lives.
Every single Jew who is able to celebrate and dance this Simchat Torah, has to do so for themselves and to fill the void of the thousands who cannot. Imagine the joy that they would have added to this Season of Rejoicing. We need to make up for the missing joy by increasing our own.
Our theme is “We Will Dance For Them!”
Come to Chabad, Uptown or Metairie, and Dance For Them! Those sacred souls who are looking at us from Gan Eden, those special souls who are still suffering in captivity, those holy souls who risk their lives to protect their fellow Jews, they need us to Dance For Them!
Thursday night, October 24. See below for details of both celebrations.
Chag Sameach
Rabbi Mendel Rivkin