"Drunk."
"Plastered."
"Smashed."
I could hear them whispering amongst themselves. Everyone in the Baron Hirsch Synagogue around my age was positive that I was wasted. That I had snuck over to the kiddush club and had a few too many sips of the Gentleman Jack that was being passed around. I was excited, singing, yelling, and all together feeling good.
But I hadn't touched a drop.
This was Simchat Torah of eleventh grade. Together with a couple of other friends, we were the last men standing on the dance floor. Clutching the sefer torah like a child to a teddy bear. Dancing ecstatically in celebration of the completion of the entire torah. I was on a natural high (and a sugar-low which probably accounted from some of my rowdiness), thrilled that we had once again read through our age old history and were about to restart the tradition, stronger than ever.
Simchat Torah should be this happy. Nothing is as central to our religion as the torah. The stories and commandments in it are the basis for everything the Jewish people stand for. But for some reason, the happiness of eleventh grade has faded. Every year I get excited for the chag, stoked and psyched for the incredible occasion. Waiting eagerly to dance with the sefer torah as one would dance with a bride and groom on their wedding day. Every year I am disappointed again.
At first I thought it was just me. I walked around the minyan telling people that it was strange, that I just couldn't connect despite a total mental appreciation of the holiday. There was just no connection between the idea to the act. My mind began the calculations. How long will this hakafa last? Multiply by seven. Add on kriat hatorah. While the chag moved on, more and more people let it be known that they felt the same way.
"This has become an exhausting holiday," I comment to a friend from the neighborhood.
"It's been that way for years," he responds.
"I can't connect, it's weird," I continue.
"Why is it weird? Who connects?"
Looking around the shul, both at the hipper and hippier Carlebach minyan, and at the standard family variation at Nitzanim in Baka, people are either schmoozing or boozing (when available). The hardcore chassidim at the Carlebach minyan go at it full strength, stopping only to wipe the sweat out of their eyes and hydrate themselves, but slowly and surely the numbers diminish.
Which leads me to the main point. How do we fix it? What do we need to do o reconnect to a beautiful holiday that has become misunderstood?
I would like to offer an alternative idea for next year. Grassroots, run by us for us (us being whoever wants in). Below I will offer some of my ideas. Please add yours, argue, discuss, and be in touch with me. This is not an effort for one person, and it will not center around one person's will, rather the will of many to have a meaningful Simchat Torah.
To make this work (organizationally speaking)
1) There should exist some form of committee to develop the idea of the minyan and work together to put the minyan into action.
2)All are welcome to the minyan, providing that they understand that it it Everyman's minyan, and this is what has been deemed for Everyman. There are no restrictions to age, gender etc. but all should be prepared to be part of a serious effort for a meaningful chag and understand that this comes with side effects (longer tefilla, shorter tefilla, strange songs, old songs, women's roles, lack of or access of alcohol- whatever is deemed necessary).
3)The minyan that I am discussing will take place in Israel, most probably in Jerusalem, but I would appreciate the ideas of friends from all over.
In my opinion:
Musically-
1) As is the tradition is Rav Raz's minyan in Nachlaot- one niggun (melody) per hakafa. A niggun is a powerful tool that needs time to open up. Much like a glass of wine that requires decanting until the maximum flavor is released, a niggun needs to be shaken around a bit until the power is released.
2) Spontaneity is important, but beginning the niggun on the wrong key restricts people from singing properly, and is, in my opinion, a major turn-off from the hakafa. Therefore I propose that people are designated as niggun starters who know how to pick a comfortable key for all. The niggun starters would also be responsible for ending the hakafa. As Rav Re'em once said, "You need to know how to end at the high, with the energy of the niggun in tact. If the energy is still there, keep coming. If you are going to lose it, end it while you still have it." (Of course this could also be an argument for more than one niggun per hakafa- the main point is not to feel compelled to jump from niggun to niggun. Discuss amongst yourselves.)
3) In addition, while not necessarily specifying every move, there should be a list of niggunim on hand so that those facing the task of beginning the niggun do not find themselves blanking and choosing poor key or what someone so aptly described as "80's pop hits" for niggunim as an emergency response. A good nigggun can last for hours.
Atmosphere-
1)Preparation. If there is time to prepare something about the chag and the meaning to say before the festivities it could be nice. Not necessarily some high-flying chassidishe torah, but a dvar torah or even a story that would put the meaning of the chag in perspective.
2)Drinking- Drinks should be allowed but limited. Clearly, unless a bar system is set up with tickets for donated drinks, this is a hard thing to do. The idea is that people should be allowed to come with alcohol and make a L'chayim with each other, but should bear in mind that the idea is to celebrate the Torah, not to get plastered to the point of confusing Moshe and Korach. It's not Purim. The chassid in me appreciates the importance of mashke to the chag, but hearing stories of grown men vomiting on the torah... enough said.
3)At some point during the day it would be nice to take it to the streets, as used to be done in Nitzanim. The chag is a national chag, and should not take place only within a bubble of people. If it would be possible to organize a rondeavouz with other minyanim, batei avot (assisted living centers) etc. for some of the hakafot, it could be a nice change of pace and a good way to celebrate with the entire nation.
4)The minyan should not be rushed, but should not drag on. As I mentioned before, it is important to know when to end. If everyone is up for more, keep going, if the people are getting tired, know how to cut the losses. With regards to time, the important thing is to have an appreciation for what you are doing and not to be afraid of "wasted time." The food will still be there when you get home. A decent amount of time can, and should, be spent on the celebration. It is a matter of making the celebration deserving of the time.
5) A torah should be available for the women's side of the mechitza. Personally, I am not opposed to a separate women's reading (although not well versed in sources, so before you bite my head off, let's learn together), but it would definitely complicate logistic issues such as acquisition of a torah and a place, not to mention that not everyone would be comfortable with the issue.
This is what I have for now. Remember that this is just my opinion and that I welcome discussion and new ideas. I think that it would be great if whoever was interested would get together at some point over the next year to discuss, present, and ultimately vote on ideas. I know that I am tired of being disappointed every year, and if nobody makes an effort, the disappointment will only continue. Feel free to pass this on both to English and Hebrew speaker (I flow easier in English, I apologize). Please be in touch, and may we have the zechut of redeeming the beauty of this holiday together.
-Yoni
"Plastered."
"Smashed."
I could hear them whispering amongst themselves. Everyone in the Baron Hirsch Synagogue around my age was positive that I was wasted. That I had snuck over to the kiddush club and had a few too many sips of the Gentleman Jack that was being passed around. I was excited, singing, yelling, and all together feeling good.
But I hadn't touched a drop.
This was Simchat Torah of eleventh grade. Together with a couple of other friends, we were the last men standing on the dance floor. Clutching the sefer torah like a child to a teddy bear. Dancing ecstatically in celebration of the completion of the entire torah. I was on a natural high (and a sugar-low which probably accounted from some of my rowdiness), thrilled that we had once again read through our age old history and were about to restart the tradition, stronger than ever.
Simchat Torah should be this happy. Nothing is as central to our religion as the torah. The stories and commandments in it are the basis for everything the Jewish people stand for. But for some reason, the happiness of eleventh grade has faded. Every year I get excited for the chag, stoked and psyched for the incredible occasion. Waiting eagerly to dance with the sefer torah as one would dance with a bride and groom on their wedding day. Every year I am disappointed again.
At first I thought it was just me. I walked around the minyan telling people that it was strange, that I just couldn't connect despite a total mental appreciation of the holiday. There was just no connection between the idea to the act. My mind began the calculations. How long will this hakafa last? Multiply by seven. Add on kriat hatorah. While the chag moved on, more and more people let it be known that they felt the same way.
"This has become an exhausting holiday," I comment to a friend from the neighborhood.
"It's been that way for years," he responds.
"I can't connect, it's weird," I continue.
"Why is it weird? Who connects?"
Looking around the shul, both at the hipper and hippier Carlebach minyan, and at the standard family variation at Nitzanim in Baka, people are either schmoozing or boozing (when available). The hardcore chassidim at the Carlebach minyan go at it full strength, stopping only to wipe the sweat out of their eyes and hydrate themselves, but slowly and surely the numbers diminish.
Which leads me to the main point. How do we fix it? What do we need to do o reconnect to a beautiful holiday that has become misunderstood?
I would like to offer an alternative idea for next year. Grassroots, run by us for us (us being whoever wants in). Below I will offer some of my ideas. Please add yours, argue, discuss, and be in touch with me. This is not an effort for one person, and it will not center around one person's will, rather the will of many to have a meaningful Simchat Torah.
To make this work (organizationally speaking)
1) There should exist some form of committee to develop the idea of the minyan and work together to put the minyan into action.
2)All are welcome to the minyan, providing that they understand that it it Everyman's minyan, and this is what has been deemed for Everyman. There are no restrictions to age, gender etc. but all should be prepared to be part of a serious effort for a meaningful chag and understand that this comes with side effects (longer tefilla, shorter tefilla, strange songs, old songs, women's roles, lack of or access of alcohol- whatever is deemed necessary).
3)The minyan that I am discussing will take place in Israel, most probably in Jerusalem, but I would appreciate the ideas of friends from all over.
In my opinion:
Musically-
1) As is the tradition is Rav Raz's minyan in Nachlaot- one niggun (melody) per hakafa. A niggun is a powerful tool that needs time to open up. Much like a glass of wine that requires decanting until the maximum flavor is released, a niggun needs to be shaken around a bit until the power is released.
2) Spontaneity is important, but beginning the niggun on the wrong key restricts people from singing properly, and is, in my opinion, a major turn-off from the hakafa. Therefore I propose that people are designated as niggun starters who know how to pick a comfortable key for all. The niggun starters would also be responsible for ending the hakafa. As Rav Re'em once said, "You need to know how to end at the high, with the energy of the niggun in tact. If the energy is still there, keep coming. If you are going to lose it, end it while you still have it." (Of course this could also be an argument for more than one niggun per hakafa- the main point is not to feel compelled to jump from niggun to niggun. Discuss amongst yourselves.)
3) In addition, while not necessarily specifying every move, there should be a list of niggunim on hand so that those facing the task of beginning the niggun do not find themselves blanking and choosing poor key or what someone so aptly described as "80's pop hits" for niggunim as an emergency response. A good nigggun can last for hours.
Atmosphere-
1)Preparation. If there is time to prepare something about the chag and the meaning to say before the festivities it could be nice. Not necessarily some high-flying chassidishe torah, but a dvar torah or even a story that would put the meaning of the chag in perspective.
2)Drinking- Drinks should be allowed but limited. Clearly, unless a bar system is set up with tickets for donated drinks, this is a hard thing to do. The idea is that people should be allowed to come with alcohol and make a L'chayim with each other, but should bear in mind that the idea is to celebrate the Torah, not to get plastered to the point of confusing Moshe and Korach. It's not Purim. The chassid in me appreciates the importance of mashke to the chag, but hearing stories of grown men vomiting on the torah... enough said.
3)At some point during the day it would be nice to take it to the streets, as used to be done in Nitzanim. The chag is a national chag, and should not take place only within a bubble of people. If it would be possible to organize a rondeavouz with other minyanim, batei avot (assisted living centers) etc. for some of the hakafot, it could be a nice change of pace and a good way to celebrate with the entire nation.
4)The minyan should not be rushed, but should not drag on. As I mentioned before, it is important to know when to end. If everyone is up for more, keep going, if the people are getting tired, know how to cut the losses. With regards to time, the important thing is to have an appreciation for what you are doing and not to be afraid of "wasted time." The food will still be there when you get home. A decent amount of time can, and should, be spent on the celebration. It is a matter of making the celebration deserving of the time.
5) A torah should be available for the women's side of the mechitza. Personally, I am not opposed to a separate women's reading (although not well versed in sources, so before you bite my head off, let's learn together), but it would definitely complicate logistic issues such as acquisition of a torah and a place, not to mention that not everyone would be comfortable with the issue.
This is what I have for now. Remember that this is just my opinion and that I welcome discussion and new ideas. I think that it would be great if whoever was interested would get together at some point over the next year to discuss, present, and ultimately vote on ideas. I know that I am tired of being disappointed every year, and if nobody makes an effort, the disappointment will only continue. Feel free to pass this on both to English and Hebrew speaker (I flow easier in English, I apologize). Please be in touch, and may we have the zechut of redeeming the beauty of this holiday together.
-Yoni
