Simchat Torah 5785 marks one year since the horrific atrocities of October 7. We chatted with OU Israel’s chief editor of ‘Torah Tidbits’ and best-selling author Rabbi Aaron Goldscheider about the mitzvah of V’Samachta B’Chagecha in general, and in the backdrop of this heartbreaking anniversary.
Why is the mitzvah of V’Samachta B’Chagecha associated specifically with Sukkot, versus other holidays? One would imagine it might be more fitting for Chanukah or Pesach, where actual nissim were performed!
Rabbi Goldscheider: Sukkot is called the “time of our joy” because the Torah itself emphasizes that this Chag is to be filled with simcha (see Vayikra 23:40 and Devarim 16: 14-15). Many suggestions have been offered why Sukkot is notable for its additional happiness. Perhaps its singular joy stems from the fact that Sukkot follows on the heels of the sacred days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. A Jew, at this moment in time heading into Sukkot, feels purified and an authentic closeness with Hashem, which is unique to this time of year, which amplifies our sense of joy and contentment on Sukkot.
How can we best fulfill this mitzvah; are there specific things we should be doing, eating, saying, or reflecting upon? Sitting in a sukkah in very hot or cold climates, for example, may not be enjoyable for some.
Rabbi Goldscheider: A Chassidic Rebbe once said, “If you want to truly feel the holiness of Shabbos, then give it to somebody else.” We feel spiritually elevated when we assist others and bring light into the lives of others who are in need. The Rambam, in a well-known teaching regarding how to celebrate the Chagim, warns us “not to lock our doors and enjoy the Chag with our own family members” (Hilchot Shvitat Yom Tov 6:18). The joy of Yom Tov is felt when we help provide for those who are alone and are in need of companionship and care. Be a giver this Sukkot and feel the holiday’s warmth and bliss.
What happens if a person is generally down? How can one force oneself to be happy? Can one be exempt from this mitzvah? Rebbe Nachman, whom some have suggested struggled with depression, had certain views on this. Could you elaborate on those?
Rabbi Goldscheider: You make mention of the great Chassidic Master, Rebbe Nachman. He shares a beautiful teaching that may be helpful to someone who is feeling a sense of melancholy or sadness. It’s one of his most exquisite teachings, called Azamra (‘I Will Sing’). He speaks about how important it is to look for good in oneself. This brings us to joy. Rebbe Nachman writes: “Just as we must judge others favorably.. to find in them good elements…so must a person do for himself, to judge himself favorably, to find some element of good, in order to strengthen himself so he does not completely collapse” (Likutei Moharan, 1:282). Rebbe Nachman suggests that we should put together our “points of goodness” to produce our very own song for God. We must believe in ourselves, for Hashem has faith in us as well.
How can Am Yisrael approach this mitzvah in the backdrop of the one-year anniversary of October 7, when so many chatufim (hostages), mefunim (displaced people), and their loved ones are suffering and we’re still at war with no end in sight? The overwhelming mood in Israel is not one of joy.
Rabbi Goldscheider: I agree. This year’s dancing and celebration on Simchat Torah will most certainly be tinged with sadness. This is normal and to be expected.
However, our eminent Rebbe, Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik zt”l would often teach that one of the beautiful advantages of being meticulous when observing halacha is that a Jew surrenders his will to the halacha. This principle is relevant in this case as well. This coming Simchat Torah, we may not feel particularly motivated to dance and to be jovial, but we engage in this mitzvah because this is how a Jew and the Jewish people celebrate on Yom Tov. There is a time for mourning and time for celebration. Yom Tov is a time to express happiness.
We should also keep in mind that dancing with sifrei Torah on Simchat Torah is not participating in frivolous merriment or in a lighthearted act. On the contrary, it is a deeply spiritual engagement that expresses a profound awareness of being in the presence of Hashem. A Jew demonstrates reverence and gratitude not with words alone — but also with song and dance.
One final point: We should utilize this year’s joyous celebration of the Chagim as a source of much needed chizuk. We all need to nourish our faith so that we have the resilience to courageously face the hurdles and challenges that, unfortunately, we may encounter in the coming days and weeks.
Above all, every Jew is deeply praying that the coming days of Yom Tov will bring to a close the heartache and trauma we have experienced over the past year and that we will be ushering in a time of comfort and everlasting joy for all of Klal Yisrael. Amen.
Rabbi Aaron Goldscheider serves as chief editor of OU Israel’s ‘Torah Tidbits,’ Coordinator of Rabbinic/Leadership Training at Yeshiva University’s RIETS Gruss Kollel, and faculty member at the Rabbinical Council of America’s ‘Machon Melton’ conversion program in Jerusalem. He is the author of the best-selling Haggadahs The Night That Unites (Urim Press) and Layla Shel Achdut (Yediot Achronot), and the Chanukah Companions The Light That Unites (OU Press) and Ohr Shel Achdut (Dabri Shir). He recently published Torah United (OU Press), a two-volume work on the weekly parsha based on the teachings of Rav Kook, Rabbi Soloveitchik, and the Chassidic masters.