SPECIAL JOY OF SHEMINI ATZERET AND SIMCHAT TORAH

Dear Family,

I hope that everyone is well and enjoying Sukkos!

MAZAL TOV TO SARA AND ARON GLICK, AND GRANDPARENTS REUVEN AND CHANA LIEBA, ON THE BIRTH OF A BEAUTIFUL BABY GIRL YESTERDAY - Chava (Eve) Nava! Wishing you all much nachas and many simchos! This should also add much joy for all of us in the week of Sukkos!

Mazal Tov to Avi Vogel whose birthday is next week. Thanks for being with us in London over Sukkos, and wishing you a year of much success in all your new endeavours Avi, begashmius and ruchnius and with much simchah!

Some points from a Sicha of the Rebbe Erev Simchat Torah 1984:

• The number 7 indicates connection to the natural world (7 days of creation, days of the week etc). Connected to this are the 7 days of Sukkos, where the JOY is on a natural level, even though we try and increase this joy every day.
• In contrast, the number 8 represents a state beyond nature. Connected to this are Shemini Atzeres and Simchat Torah, which are on the 8th and 9th days, where the JOY TRANSCENDS NATURE. We have the opportunity to experience unbounded joy on Shemini Atzeres and Simchat Torah. (8 reflects similarly in many other areas of Judaism)
• Atzeres also means 'protected'. This ensures that the JOY created on Shemini Atzeres and Simchat Torah will influence our whole year, and beyond, without being weakened.
• Even although the potential JOY is beyond creation, Hashem's ultimate intention is that we carry out His Service in and with the physical world (as with all Mitzvos). Therefore the HAPPINESS must be experienced by the physical body.
• One would think, that at this time of the year, when we have just finished reading the whole Torah, and we are now getting ready to start again, that we would celebrate by dedicating the day to Torah study (especially that Torah study is such a big and constant Mitzvah). Yet what do we do? THE TORAH IS TAKEN OUT WHILE CLOSED AND COVERED, AND WE DANCE WITH IT! Everyone, no matter what his level of knowledge or observance has equal opportunity with this joy!
• The happiness experienced through the year is generated by particular elements of a person's Service and personality. In contrast the happiness of Shemini Atzeres and Simchas Torah is all-encompassing, and relates to a Jew's Essential Nature, beyond revelation

And this is drawn down through our efforts to dance, sing and be happy with the Sifrei Torah on Shemini Atzeres and Simchat Torah.

Happiness breaks down all barriers, even the barriers of exile.

Gut Yom Tov and Gut Shabbos to all.