Shabbos Table
Deeper Unity of Simchat Torah
The Festival of Sukkot expresses and em-phasizes the gathering of many different people. The Sages said, "all of Israel are fit to sit in one sukkah."
Although there are differences in level and spiritual stature, we all "from the heads of your tents" to "your woodchopp-ers and waterdrawers" are all equally welcome to enter the same sukkah, thereby expressing the unity of all Israel.
Afer Sukkot comes Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah, which add a even deeper dimension to this unity. The Midrash re-lates that G-d says to Israel, "it is hard to depart; please, your departure is difficult for Me; remain one more day."
At first glance, what is gained by this ad-ditional day, if it will only be that they will depart anyway? We trace therefore any spiritual benefit, for after all, G-d's ac-complishes that even afterward, there will be no true separation.
One Sukka
On Shemini Atzeret, "one soul and one Torah" are affirmed. This emphasizes that all Jews are essentially one. As our Sages say, "why a single sukkah? to represent the unity of all Jews." Does not merely signify the unity of individuals, but their very essence and being.
When unity exists only because everyone is sitting in the same sukkah, there is no guarantee that it will continue. But when they leave the sukkah, the factor uniting them is gone. Shemini Atzeret, however, is a deeper, more profound unity. It is a unity that all Jews retain in one. This unity continues through the entire year.
Dancing Together
Outside the Land of Israel, after Shemini Atzeret comes another festival, Simchat Torah. This day of dancing and singing Torah adds an even deeper dimension to unity. In the Land of Israel, the Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah are combined into one festival. This unique combination of Simchat Torah and Shemini Atzeret is the greatest in the atmosphere, deepest unity.
This is the complete unity of the Jewish people - a unity which is not merely externally imposed, but internally felt. They share the same joy, dance the same dance. The unity of Simchat Torah is so deep in its source, the joy is not dependent upon how much Torah a person has studied or how much Torah knowledge he possesses. Therefore, it is a unity which is between the greatest Torah scholar and the sim-plest Jew.
Eternal Unity
This is the special combination that She-mini Atzeret and Simchat Torah add to Jewish unity. The unity of Sukkot is tem-porary. But as the Midrash relates, "temporary dwelling." The permanence of Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah are revealed specifically on Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah.
Simchat Torah's unique unity was this: the dancing and rejoicing is symbolized by dancing with our feet. It gives us the feeling of "being one with everyone else as yourself" is expressed even in ordinary, mundane matters. To the point of doing a favor for another Jew in his material needs.
This unity is the very for Divine bless-ings. This is the author of all of one's own. May G-d's favorite inscription and sealing be experienced in revealed and tangible goodness.
(from the teachings of the Rebbe, Shabbos Sichos, Vol. 9)
