Two Minute Torah Podcast

Shemini Atzeret 5770 by Rabbi Kim Blumenthal

Shalom, my name is Rabbi Kim Blumenthal, from Beth Israel Congregation in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Welcome to KOACH's Two-Minute Torah; a project of the College Department of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.

It has been a busy few weeks in Jewish communities across world. We have gathered together to enter into a new year, engaging in serious thought and reflection. We have celebrated Sukkot, soaking in the last moments of summer, and drawing strength through being surrounded by friends. Now all of this is drawing to a close. The summer has made way for fall. It will be months until we have the opportunity to celebrate our next festival holiday.

In ancient times, Sukkot was known as "HeHag," The Holiday. It was the most popular and joyful of celebrations. The streets of Jerusalem were filled with song, dance, and many forms of entertainment. It is no wonder that nobody wanted it to end.

And so we extend our holiday. The Torah tells us, "On the eighth day, you shall hold a solemn assembly; you shall not work at your occupations." Shemini Atzeret, the assembly of the eighth day, possesses no additional instructions. Rather, it is simply an opportunity to hold on to the communal, celebratory spirit a little while longer. It is easy to imagine an occasion that we do want to see end.

As we enjoy Shemini Atzeret, reveling in this extended opportunity for celebration, we are also keenly aware that it is time for a new beginning. Over the last several weeks we have dedicated ourselves to repentance and reflection, and it is now time to actualize the goals we made for ourselves. The theme of new beginnings is highlighted by the juxtaposition of Shemini Atzeret and Simhat Torah, the celebration of the Torah. In Israel, these two occasions are celebrated as one, however in the diaspora, Simhat Torah stands alone, as its own holiday, truly sealing the autumn holiday season. On Simhat Torah we conclude the annual cycle of Torah reading, as the Israelites stand ready to enter the Promised Land and we say our final goodbye to Moses. But we do not leave off there, we immediately continue by returning to the very beginning, the story of creation. In connecting the ending of our Torah back to the beginning, we are reminded that with every ending comes a new beginning. And so while we are saddened by the end of our season of celebration, we can take heart in this ideaÉwith every ending comes a new beginning. It is now our time to return to daily life, uninterrupted by holidaysÑrefreshed and revivedÑready for new experiences, new challenges and new beginnings.