“From Zion shall go forth the law and the word of G-d from Jerusalem”

by HaRav Dov Begon
Rosh HaYeshiva, Machon Meir

Twice a year we rejoice over the Torah, once at Shavuot, the time of G-d’s giving the Torah, and a second time at Shemini Atzeret-Simchat Torah. There is a difference between the two celebrations. On Shavuot, the myriad of Israel fulfill the custom of “Tikun Leil Shavuot” -- they learn Torah all night, albeit with restrained joy. By contrast, on Shemini Atzeret-Simchat Torah, the joy bursts forth, and the myriad of Israel dance in circles, rejoicing with enormous happiness in the synagogues, streets and town squares.

The difference between Shavuot, the time of G-d’s giving the Torah, and Shemini Atzeret-Simchat Torah, the time of our rejoice over the Torah, is that with the giving of the Torah, the Torah was forced upon us. As our sages teach: “‘They stood at the foot of the mountain’ (Exodus 19:17): This teaches that G-d overturned the mountain upon them like a wash basin and said to them, ‘If you accept the Torah, well and good. Otherwise, your burial place will be there.’” (Shabbat 88). Anything that comes about through coercion and not through good will will involve no joy. By contrast, on Simchat Torah, when all of Israel are celebrating having completed the entire Torah that they read on Shabbat throughout the year, happily and of their own free will, great joy is engendered.

Today, how fortunate we are and how good the portion of our generation that each year the circles of Jews throughout the Land who rejoice over our holy Torah are increasing, even though this year we must be restrained in our public rejoicing. Nevertheless, the Torah is returning to its natural abode. There is no Torah like the Torah of Eretz Yisrael, and our land has become the world Torah center, with thousands of yeshivot and educational Torah institutions which are growing and developing everywhere. The day is not far off when through us will be fulfilled Isaiah’s words, “The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the L-rd, as the waters cover the sea…. For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of G-d from Jerusalem” (11:9; 2:4).

With blessings for a joyous Simchat Torah,
Looking forward to complete salvation,
Shabbat Shalom.