The Meaning of Shmini Atzeret and the Placement of Simchat Torah - October 5, 2023

This evening we consider the layer of Torah telling the story of Moshe, the man, and wonder why the passage in V'Eschanan, when God privately refuses to relent and allow Moshe to enter Israel, is included for everyone to know of Moshe's humiliation at being denied by God. We quote the superb writing of Dr. Aviva Zornberg, and quote Rabb Jonathan Sacks, and ORA Director, Keshet Star, to understand how this is Moshe's and God's greatest gift to us. We tell an enlightening story told to us by Rabbi Yisroel Weiss, chief rabbi of IDF, when a group from ADATH donated a Torah scroll to the Israeli Army. We question the accuracy and significance of the Zohar's statement that there are 600,000 letters in the Torah (there aren't). And we present an original understanding of the purpose of Shmini Atzeret, and the placement of Simchat Torah at the end of the High Holiday season, from Rabbi Yitzchak Mirski and Rabbi Mair Goldvicht. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an adjunct professor at McGill University Faculty of Law. ADATH is a modern orthodox synagogue community in suburban Montreal, providing Judaism for the next generation. We take great pleasure in welcoming everyone with a warm smile, while sharing inspiration through prayer, study, and friendship. Rabbi Whitman shares his thoughts and inspirations through online lectures and shiurim, which are available on: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5FLcsC6xz5TmkirT1qObkA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adathmichael/ Podcast - Mining the Riches of the Parsha: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/mining-the-riches-of-the-parsha/id1479615142?fbclid=IwAR1c6YygRR6pvAKFvEmMGCcs0Y6hpmK8tXzPinbum8drqw2zLIo7c9SR-jc Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3hWYhCG5GR8zygw4ZNsSmO Please contact Rabbi Whitman (rabbi@adath.ca) with any questions for feedback, or to receive a daily email, "Study with Rabbi Whitman Today," with current and past insights for that day, video, and audio, all in one short email sent directly to your inbox.