Dvar Torah By Rav Shimshon Nadel
The Kotzker Rebbe on Simchat Torah
One Simchat Torah, Rav Menachem Mendel of Kotzk saw a jew standing by the sidelines during the Hakafot. When the Kotzker inquired as to why this jew was not dancing, he replied that he felt inadequate dancing and celebrating with the Torah, as he was not learned, and had not learned much during the past year.
The Kotzker responded that on Simchat Torah there are two Chatanim: Chatan Torah and Chatan Bereishit. The Chatan Torah represents onewho has accomplished much in his learning over the past year. But Bereishit is about beginnings. The Chatan Bereishit celebrates one who is going to devote this new year to the study of Torah.
In his Shem Mi-Shmuel, Rav Shmuel Borensztain quotes his grandfather, the Kotzker, as having said that on Simchat Torah we do not celebrate the completion of the Torah, for who can say that he has studied the entire Torah? Instead, Simchat Torah is a celebration of what we will accomplish in the future (See Shem Mi-Shmuel, Simchat Torah 5662).
Chag Same'ach!
No comments:
Post a Comment