Shemini Atzeres – Simchas Torah
Why is it that on Simchas Torah we take Sifrei Torah and we go around in circles, and scream out, “אנא ד' הושיעה נא” – that Hashem should save us? If the purpose of the Yom Tov is to be happy, and to be happy with the Torah Hakdosha, what is the purpose in saying, “אנא ד' הושיעה נא”?
We know that the days of judgment are from Rosh Hashanah until Yom Hakippurim, which is when the Gemar Din is – the final judgment. However, the Din extends until Hoshana Rabbah, for Hashem wants to test us – to see, if what we said on Yom Hakippurim, how we would change – if we actually keep to it – and if one does so, that helps him to have a good judgment. The judgment of Yom Hakippurim isn’t carried out until Hoshana Rabbah, and in the interim, a Yid can perform the Mitzvos of Sukkah, Lulav, etc... – and then he will hopefully have a good judgment. If one does not do what he is supposed to in this time, that could Chas V’sholom have a Din that is not good for him. Thus, on Shemini Atzeres, when all the days of judgment have passed, we take the Sifrei Torah and we carry it as a Remez that we want to accept upon ourselves the yoke of Torah anew, and not the way we accepted it until now, from trepidation because of the Yemei Hadin. We now accept upon ourselves the Torah Hakdosha with joy.
In case we Chas V’sholom faltered in the time between Yom Hakippurim and Hoshana Rabbah, we are Mispalel to Hakodosh Boruch Hu to forgive us, again, and that we are now really accepting upon ourselves the Torah Hakdosha, and will keep it in the future. We ask Hakodosh Boruch Hu, “אנא ד' הושעיה נא” – to save us. (קהלת יעקב)
