Simchas Beis Hashoevah.

Simchas Beis Hashoevah.

One of the great highlights of Sukkos in the Beis HaMikdash was the Simchas Beis Hashoeivah, literally, "the joy of the water drawing." On each night of Sukkos enormous vessels of water were drawn and brought to the Beis HaMikdash for the mitzvah of Nissuch HaMayim, the water libations. On each night of Sukkos the drawing of the water was accompanied by a celebration of such extraordinary joy that Chazal tell us, “Whoever has never seen the joy of the Simchas Beis Hashoeivah has never seen joy in his life."17

From Chazal's description it is hard to comprehend what this celebration must have looked like. The Beis HaMikdash was filled with light. Golden lamps illuminated the courtyard and lit up the darkness of Yerushalayim. The Leviyim played their instruments, sang and praised Hashem, while thousands of people gathered to watch.

At the center of the celebration were the Chassidim and Anshei Maaseh, the greatest and most righteous people of the generation. These were not entertainers brought in to create a fun atmosphere. They were people whose lives were completely dedicated to Torah and avodas Hashem, and they themselves were overflowing with immense joy. They would dance before the people, sing songs of praise, and perform extraordinary acts of celebration.

For example, Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel, the Nasi of Klal Yisrael, would perform extraordinary feats. He would take eight flaming torches and juggle them in the air, throwing one and catching another, with the torches never touching one another. He would then perform an extraordinary bow, placing his thumbs on the ground, bending down to kiss the floor, and then rising again.

The celebration continued throughout the night. The people would come after a day filled with avodah, tefillah and learning and remain awake for much of the night. When they became tired, they would rest their heads on one another's shoulders, but the joy continued. Their exhaustion did not extinguish their simchah.

This immense joy brought them to extraordinary spiritual heights. In fact, Chazal teach that the name Beis Hashoeivah comes from the word sho'evah, meaning "drawing," because it was a place where they would draw Ruach Hakodesh. The tzaddikim reached such great levels of joy during the Simchas Beis Hashoeivah that they were able to experience Ruach Hakodesh.

Yonah, who later became a navi, reached these spiritual heights through the joy of the Simchas Beis Hashoeivah. Our Rabbis teach us that the Shechinah rests with a person through simchah, rather than through sadness. The joy of Sukkos therefore did more than bring happiness; it helped elevate them to great spiritual heights.18

What was it about the Simchas Beis Hashoeivah that generated such extraordinary joy? The celebration accompanied the mitzvah of Nissuch HaMayim, the pouring of water on the Mizbeach. Why should the drawing and pouring of water bring about such an eruption of happiness?

The key to understanding this is found in the very thing they were celebrating: the drawing of the water. Chazal received a tradition from Har Sinai that on Sukkos a large amount of water needs to be poured onto the mizbeach.19

Pouring these large quantities of water reminds us how fortunate we are to have the priceless gift of water. We are surrounded by an enormous supply of water, and because it is so readily available, it is easy to forget what an incredible gift it is.

The large amount of water used for the Nissuch Hamayim is to symbolize our recognition that Hashem has blessed the world with an abundant supply of this precious resource. Each drop of water is a precious gift from Hashem.20

In fact, our Rabbis teach that when there is rain after a drought, we recite "We thank You... for every single drop that You caused to fall for us"21 We stress every drop since each drop is a miracle in its own right and an undeserved gift from Hashem.

Water actually plays a very important role in our lives. Seventy percent of the earth consists of water. Water is a vital life source for the billions of species on the planet. It serves many other useful purposes, such as for washing our hands, cooking, cleaning our dishes and bathing etc. So, a key reason for the immense joy of the Simchas Beis Hashoevah stemmed from our appreciation of this priceless gift.

There is another reason for the tremendous happiness. Sukkos comes immediately after Yom Kippur. We have just spent the holiest day of the year standing before Hashem, asking for forgiveness and cleansing ourselves from our sins. Now, only a few days later, we are entering the Sukkah and beginning a new year with a fresh start. This was a source of immense joy.

There was an even deeper reason for this happiness. The Chasam Sofer explains that the joy of the tzaddikim during the Simchas Beis Hashoeivah was not only about their own personal teshuvah. We know the principle of Kol Yisrael Areivim Zeh BaZeh - every Jew is responsible for one another. When one Jew does teshuvah, it does not affect only him. His teshuvah has an effect on the entire nation. Furthermore, when we do teshuvah out of love, it could transform our sins into merits. The Tzaddikim therefore rejoiced not only in the spiritual renewal they had experienced themselves, but also in the spiritual gains that happen throughout Klal Yisrael.

Unfortunately, nowadays we are without the Beis Hamikdash and can no longer experience the glorious sight of the Simchas Beis Hashoeivah. We are therefore unable to celebrate it as they did in the times of the Beis Hamikdash. Nevertheless, we have a way to keep its memory alive.

As the Mishnah Berurah writes: “Chassidim and Anshai Maasah make a remembrance of the Simchas Beis Hashoeivah by staying awake on the nights of Chol HaMoed Sukkos, increasing in songs and praises, and increasing the number of candles in the Sukkah on these nights."22

This practice serves as a zecher for the holy Nisuch HaMayim and the tremendous joy that accompanied it. At the same time, it awakens within us a longing for the Beis Hamikdash and for the day when we will once again experience this special joy in its full glory. Various customs are observed at these celebrations, such as lighting many candles and reciting Tehillim. In Eretz Yisrael, it is customary to recite the chapters of Tehillim beginning with Shir HaMaalos before the celebration begins.23

Our Tzaddikim throughout the generations were particular to celebrate the Simchas Beis HaShoevah with great joy. The Ohr HaChaim would hold a special celebration and many candles were lit in his Shul. Also, the Chasam Sofer would hold a Simchas Beis Hashoevah each night of Chol Hamoed.

The Gra would hold a big celebration where many perakim of Tehillim and Mishnayos were recited. The Gra would then repeatedly proclaim the privilege of Klal Yisrael, describing how, when Hashem sees His beloved children set aside their troubles to rejoice in His service, He gathers His heavenly entourage and is filled with mercy toward them.24

The Chazon Ish was very particular about holding a Simchas Beis Hashoeivah. On one occasion, when the celebration began, he was asked to address those present. He spoke about the words of Chazal which teach that Yonah HaNavi merited Ruach Hakodesh through the tremendous joy of the Simchas Beis Hashoeivah. The Chazon Ish explained that it was this great simchah that helped Yonah reach such a level of Ruach Hakodesh. As he spoke, the joy of those present grew, until the entire tzibbur erupted into dancing with a level of enthusiasm that was rarely seen.25

On another occasion, he shared the Vilna Gaon's inspiring words at the Simchas Beis Hashoeivah, describing how Hashem sees His beloved children putting aside their troubles to rejoice with Him and is filled with mercy toward them. He then asked those present to sing this to a niggun. When they remained silent, he said, "If you don't, I will," and he himself spontaneously sang these heartfelt words to a niggun. He sang with such powerful emotion that it deeply moved everyone who was there.26