Yeshivat Nahar Shalom

A historic Kabbalistic yeshiva in the heart of Jerusalem, dedicated to Torah study, spiritual growth, and community support.

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Yeshivat Nahar Shalom

6 Shilo Street (corner of Agrippas Street)

Jerusalem, Israel

For mail:

P.O. Box 1884

Jerusalem 9102701, Israel

02-622-2560 / 02-622-3001

Fax: 153-775001874

m6222560@gmail.com

Sun–Thu, 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM

© 2026 Yeshivat Nahar Shalom. All rights reserved.

Donations from the United States are received by Friends of Nahar Shalom Inc., a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 27-2007035), which supports Yeshivat Nahar Shalom in Jerusalem. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.

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Moadey Israel

The Holiday of Simchat Torah – A Novel Torah Insight, A Story, And Halacha for the Holiday Table

By Yeshivat Nahar Shalom Staff•September 24, 2026
Moshe commanded us a law, an inheritance of the congregation of Yaakovrelate to torah as a Me'orasa (a betrothed bride)Rabbi Yisrael Salanter crying on simchat torahKiddush on the night of Shemini AtzeretKing David danced with all his strength before G-d

Anyone who increases joy in the joy of the Torah through dancing and hand-clapping is praiseworthy, and every person should strive to rejoice in the joy of the Torah with all their strength. As said in the Midrash: King David danced with all his strength before G-d.

The Holiday of Simchat Torah – A Novel Torah Insight, A Story, And Halacha for the Holiday Table

How should one relate to the Torah during life's transitions? Why did Rabbi Yisrael Salanter cry on Simchat Torah? And is it permissible to clap hands during the Hakafot (dancing with the Torah) when the holiday falls on Shabbat? • A novel Torah insight, a story, and Halacha for the Simchat Torah holiday

Rabbi Yosef Shmueli | 20th of Tishrei, 5784 |  Oct 5, 2023 | 13:50

novel torah insight, story, halacha for the holiday table

 Novel Torah Insight (Chidush)

"Moshe commanded us a law, an inheritance of the congregation of Yaakov" (Deuteronomy 33:4)

Do not read Morasha (inheritance) but Me'orasa (betrothed) (Pesachim 49b). Many people honor the Torah, but among them are those who relate to it as a desirable treasure stored in their vault—an ancient, valuable, and precious thing—yet they do not ask the Torah how to conduct themselves in life's questions. These people honor the Torah in the same way they honor their elders who are advanced in years, even treating them with great respect, but they will never consult them regarding life's problems. They think to themselves: what do the elders already understand about the taste and spirit of the youth? Regarding such individuals, the Sages said: Do not call the Torah Morasha (from the language of inheritance)—meaning, do not relate to it as an ancient inheritance passed down to you from years past, which should be respected like elders without considering their opinions. Rather, you must relate to the Torah as Me'orasa (a betrothed bride)—as something beloved and vital, which is consulted and whose counsel is considered in every matter (Seridei Eish).

Story

The famous story about Rabbi Yisrael Salanter zt"l relates that once, during the height of the Simchat Torah dancing, he suddenly stepped away from the dancers, sat to the side, and burst into tears. His prominent students were bewildered, until the great Gaon Rabbi Eliyahu Levinsohn zt"l gathered courage, approached him, and asked: "Teach us, our master—why this crying in the very midst of Simchat Torah?" Rabbi Yisrael replied: "From the very fact that we rejoice on Simchat Torah, I began to reflect and contemplate: do we truly preserve the Torah as appropriate and honor it throughout the entire year?" Hearing this, everyone present burst into tears as well.

However, a few minutes later, Rabbi Yisrael stood up from his place, turned to his disciples, and said: "On the contrary, this itself is a reason for joy! If we cry over the desecration of the Torah's honor and feel sorrow over not learning as proper, it is proof that we are truly connected to the Torah. For if that were not so, we would not cry over something to which we have no connection."

This is the true joy of the Torah: this feeling should fill the void of the heart while dancing and leaping before the Torah, feeling and sensing the true connection we have with it. And for someone who feels no connection to the Torah, yet leaps and dances before it, one can apply the Rambam's statement that honoring the Torah is none other than acting according to its laws and statutes (Da'at Shraga).

 Halacha (Jewish Law)

Simchat Torah

A. After the prayer service, the custom of Israel is to encircle the Teivah (reader's platform) seven times (Hakafot) while a Torah scroll rests upon it, and with Torah scrolls in their hands. And so it is customary on the day of Simchat Torah after prayers, where they rejoice and celebrate with songs and praise in the joy of the Torah, with dancing and hand-clapping, and even if it falls on Shabbat, it is permitted.

B. Before the Hakafot, they shall place a Torah scroll on the Teivah, and a man that fears Heaven shall stand next to it, holding the Torah scroll in his hands throughout the entire time of the Hakafot.

C. One should wait to recite Kiddush on the night of Shemini Atzeret until it grows dark and three stars appear, for if one recites Kiddush and eats while it is still day, he will be required to eat in the Sukkah.

D. Before the Musaf prayer, they recite the prayer for rain (Tikkun HaGeshem) and announce "Mashiv HaRuach U'Morid HaGeshem" (He who causes the wind to blow and the rain to fall). If one made a mistake in Musaf or Mincha of Shemini Atzeret and did not mention "Mashiv HaRuach U'Morid HaGeshem", but only said "Morid HaTal" as usual during all summer days, he does not repeat the prayer. This is the same rule for anyone who makes this mistake on any of the winter days.

E. Anyone who increases joy in the joy of the Torah through dancing and hand-clapping is praiseworthy, and every person should strive to rejoice in the joy of the Torah with all their strength. As said in the Midrash: King David danced with all his strength before G-d. What is "with all his strength"? What is "danced"? That he clapped his hands—right hand over left hand, to strengthen the attribute of mercy over judgment. And he said "Kiri Ram", intending to strengthen the right hand which hints at the attribute of kindness over the left hand which hints at the attribute of severity, thus increasing mercy over judgment. From here comes the support for (what we do on) Simchat Torah. All of this is to show affection and joy for completing the Torah, and a feast is made upon completing the Torah (Yalkut Yosef).

Presented by the head of the Kabbalists' Kollel "Nahar Shalom", Hagaon Rabbi Yosef Shmueli shlit"a

From the articles of our master and teacher, the Kabbalist Rabbi Benayahu Shmueli shlit"a, on the weekly Torah portion.

With blessings for a peaceful and blessed Shabbat!