The Jewish festival of Sukkot runs from the evening of September 25 to the evening of October 2 this year, immediately followed by Shemini Atzeret (“Eighth Gathering”), then Simchat Torah (“Joy of Torah”). This is called Zeman Simchateinu, “the season of our rejoicing”.
This year I volunteered to give a presentation on Sukkot, tell a story about Sukkot based on the Talmud, and lead a rain ritual based on the Shemini Atzeret morning services. Why? Because I love teaching, writing, and storytelling–and because my enthusiasm carries me away.
This week, as I bounce back and forth between enthusiasm and exhaustion, I have no time to research and write a new blog post. But if you would like to read one of my previous posts about Shemini Atzeret, Simchat Torah, or the final Torah portion in Deuteronomy (which we read on Simchat Torah before rolling the Torah scroll back to the beginning of Genesis), may I recommend Shemini Atzeret: Returning to Normal, or Vezot Habrakhah: By Mouth.
Next week I am looking forward to writing something new about the first Torah portion in the book of Genesis!
