Simhat Torah

As we bid farewell to one of history’s most unusual, unorthodox Sukkot, the very soul of Simhat Torah has been winnowed down to a shell of its former self.

With the joy that is the theme of this holiday, Bracha's children have found their way home.

Once we start to read the Torah all over again, we need to be reminded of its absolute holiness, rendering it nearly inaccessible and unapproachable.

This celebration encompasses all layers of society, young and old, rich and poor, learned and less learned.

The holiday's celebratory dancing is a custom which is not required to fulfill any of the core obligations.

Being an American by birth, it has been important to me to search resources to find out how my forebearers there observed the holiday in the traditional manner.

A special feature of the service is calling all children under 13 years to the Reading of the Law.

Traditionally, on the Jewish holiday, distinguished male members of the community are appointed Chatan Torah and Chatan Beresheet. United Synagogues introduced an Eishet Chayil honor for women.

As the story goes, the congregation selected the town fool to receive the high honor of being the chatan torah – the groom of the Torah.

The visitation figure included the number of Jews who visited the site from the week before Rosh Hashanah to Simhat Torah, which ended on Monday night.