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October 6, 2023 (21 Tishrei 5784) Parashiot Sukkot & Simchat Torah - A Crown of Slippers
Dear Friends, I hope this correspondence finds you well and in good health. Please join us this weekend for in-person services on both Saturday and Sunday morning at 10:00am as we will be concluding the marathon holiday season by observing Shmini Atzeret & Yizkor on Saturday morning, followed by Simchat Torah (and dancing with the Torahs) on Sunday morning. A Chassidic tale by the Baal Shem Tov teaches that on the morning after Simchat Torah, exhausted from the Hakafot (going in circles) and festivities of the previous evening’s revelry, everyone slept late. Nonetheless, the heavenly angels, unencumbered by the constraints of human fatigue, arose for morning prayers at the crack of dawn to sing “Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh.” The Talmud, in Chullin 91b however teaches that: ואין מלאכי השרת אומרים שירה למעלה, עד שיאמרו ישראל למטה "The heavenly angels cannot sing praises of the Ribbono Shel Olam (Master of the Universe) in the heavens, until the people of Israel join to sing God's praises, here on earth." With nothing to do, absent the voices of the Chosen People, the angels decided to do some overdue chores, cleaning-up in the heavenly hallways. That morning, the Malachim (angels) found their paradise littered with torn slippers and broken heels. The angels were accustomed to finding Tzitzit, Tefillin, and the echoes of heartfelt prayers, but they had never come across the likes of tattered footwear. One angel, fortunately privy to the previous night’s celebration, reported, “These are the remnants of last night's Hakafot, at which Jews danced passionately with all their hearts, with all their souls, and with all their might, with their beloved Torah.” After sorting the shoes (and arranging for an Amazon Return Delivery to various earthly neighborhoods), the most prestigious angel in the heavenly court exclaimed, “Most days, I tie crowns for Hashem out of Israel's prayers. Today, I shall fashion an even more glorious crown out of these worn out, but truly holy, shoes.” All of us likely have memories of the merriment invited, anticipated, welcomed, and honored on Simchat Torah. While you may not have broken a heel or overburdened a shoe tread, you likely went home with a scratchy throat, drenched shirt, sore feet, and, for sure, a full heart. Your memories may include waving flags, eating candy apples, and dancing endlessly as the Torah was paraded around again and again. As we prepare for Shabbat and the end of the Yuntif season, may we all experience the unbridled joy of recognizing life’s blessings and celebrating Torah. May this weekend’s themes of Yizkor (remembrance) and Simchat Torah (joy) remind us to share our spiritual legacy gratuitously and graciously with our precious children, our dear loved ones, and our truly holy congregation, CBIOTP. Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameach, Rabbi Eric L. Wasser, EdD, Hon.DM
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