Happiness Awaits: Ready to Radiate Positivity?

As I sat in the Shul on Yom Kippur this year, I found myself reflecting on my journey over the past year. During these moments of introspection, a question arose: Why do I approach Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur with a sense of trepidation while Simchas Torah fills me with unbridled joy? At first glance, the answer appeared simple – Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur involve lengthy hours of prayer and solemn reflection within the Shul, whereas Simchas Torah is characterized by exuberant dancing and uncontainable happiness. As I delved deeper into my emotions, I realized that joy plays a pivotal role in my spiritual connection. I often find it easier to resonate with holidays commemorating joyous occasions, while those centered around sorrow or somber introspection tend to leave me feeling less connected.

The holiday of Simchas Torah marks the completion of the entire torah. During the year, Jewish people around the world engage in reading one portion of the torah every single week. I often question my connection to this achievement, particularly since I do not attend shul for a significant portion of the weeks during the year. Yet, I, and perhaps many of you, still feel connected to this achievement.

I recently had a revelation that we did complete the Torah. Not in the traditional sense of reading every word within the confines of a shul. However, by extracting an idea from each Parsha and internalizing it, we are repeatedly completing the torah. It may have been from reading an idea that I wrote or coming up with your own, but the point is that we both connected. This realization shed light on why I resonate so strongly with Simchas Torah – it's not merely about passive contemplation but rather about taking the Torah, personalizing its teachings, and sharing its wisdom with others in a joyful and practical manner.

As we approach the conclusion of yet another cycle of the Torah, I hope you will join me on this journey. Let us embark on what I hope will be an extraordinary year, uninterrupted by life's distractions. Let us seize this moment to rejoice in our past accomplishments and say Lchaim to joy, blessings, and personal growth.

Good Shabbos

All the best

Avroham Yehudah Ross