Simhat Torah

'The hole in our souls deepens everyday,' says sister of hostage Yarden Bibas

Over the past year, the return of the hostages, once a national consensus and top priority, now seems weighed against the security of the state and its citizens.

By OFRI BIBAS LEVY
24/10/2024

Is Israel fighting the October 7 War or the Simchat Torah War?

By referring to the war as both the “Oct. 7 War” and the “Simchat Torah War,” we evoke different dimensions of this tragedy and its far-reaching aftermath.

Former PM Bennett calls for state October 7 probe in emotional post on X

"I often ask myself if there was more I could have done that day."

How should we observe Simchat Torah this year?

We need to seek a middle path between the usual joy of Simchat Torah and the mourning necessitated by the disaster of Simchat Torah 5784 on October 7.

'Who’s the fool who told you boys don’t cry?' Approaching Simchat Torah with sorrow

This was the year an entire nation learned to cry – unashamedly and without restraint.

  A hand is seen reaching towards the heavens in this illustrative image.

Simchat Torah: Grasping the divine strands of joy

It’s strained, if not seemingly impossible, to embody joy right now. The divine strands of joy around us are so dim as to be nearly invisible.

By RABBI SUSAN SILVERMAN
23/10/2024
  An illustrative image of Jews celebrating with Torah scrolls on Simchat Torah.

Come together: The importance of unity on Simchat Torah

It is precisely at the one-year anniversary of Hamas's massacre that the holiday of Simchat Torah comes along, with its unique message about the centrality of unity.

The Herzogs host displaced youth ahead of Simhat Torah

Herzog, who has taken a particular interest in the hostages, mentions them at every opportunity, and did so  when concluding his session with the youngsters.

  An illustrative image of Jews celebrating with Torah scrolls on Simchat Torah.

On Simchat Torah, we dance because we refuse to let the darkness win

How can we dance again? It’s not just a question for Simchat Torah; it’s a question for every moment we face after loss, after tragedy, after the world splits wide open.

By JACOB SCHIMMEL
23/10/2024
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