This Saturday evening begins the holiday of Simchat Torah, שִׂמְחַת תּוֹרָה, “the joy of the Torah.” On Simchat Torah, we read the final words of Deuteronomy and immediately begin again with Genesis, Bereshit. There is no pause between ending and beginning. The cycle is never-ending.
There is a beautiful meaning hidden in this cycle. The last book of the Torah ends with the word ישראל, Yisrael, whose final letter is ל, lamed, and begins again with בראשית, Bereshit, whose first letter is ב, bet. Together they spell לב, lev, “heart.” This unbroken cycle is the heart and essence of Jewish continuity.
Yet this joyful holiday also carries one of the most painful memories of our generation. October 7, 2023 fell on Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah in Israel, forever joining a day of rejoicing with terrible loss. May the memory of our brothers and sisters be blessed and forever engraved in our hearts.
But this week, we were reminded that even in frightening moments, there can be hope. An Israel-bound flight carrying 174 passengers was saved from disaster, and everyone on board survived thanks to the extraordinary courage of those who acted to save them.
There are moments when a simple truth becomes clear: a person must rise and fight for their life.
The Torah teaches us never to lose faith, and that even in the darkest moments, miracles can happen.
The scroll returns to the beginning.
The Jewish heart keeps beating.
עם ישראל חי — Am Yisrael Chai.
The Joy of Torah / Pencil on paper / 2022
