Joy and Resilience

“Simchat Torah was born when Jews had lost everything else, but they never lost their capacity to rejoice. A people whose capacity for joy cannot be destroyed is itself indestructible.” — Rabbi Jonathan Sacks (rabbisacks.org)

Rabbi Sacks' words are indeed powerful, and have particular meaning as Jewish communities look towards both the celebration of the festival of Simchat Torah (commencing this Saturday evening at sunset) and the commemoration of the third anniversary of the October 7 massacre next Wednesday, with wounds still raw and wartime tensions ongoing.

Is it possible to endure tragedy and heartbreak, yet still find reason to rejoice? To this, Jewish tradition answers with a resounding Yes. It is a profound question to ponder, and I invite you to engage with it. Is it possible to rejoice amidst tears?

“Simchat Torah was born when Jews had lost everything else, but they never lost their capacity to rejoice. A people whose capacity for joy cannot be destroyed is itself indestructible.” — Rabbi Jonathan Sacks

But first, a few basics about the festival of Simchat Torah:

What is Simchat Torah?

Simchat Torah (‘Rejoicing in the Torah’) is a one-day Jewish festival at the end of the seven-day festival of Sukkot. In Israel the day coincides with another holiday called Shemini Atzeret (‘the Eighth Day of the Assembly’). Outside Israel the two holidays are treated as separate days.

The focus of Simchat Torah is the centrality of Torah. For Jewish communities it marks the very last day of the annual Torah reading cycle. The next day, the cycle of Torah readings begins all over again with Genesis 1:1.

In synagogues, Simchat Torah is celebrated with joyful dancing with the Torah. The conclusion of the Book of Deuteronomy is read in the synagogue followed by the opening words of the Book of Genesis. Thus there is an unbroken continuation of the annual cycle of Torah readings.

Perhaps it is this continuity of a relationship, between God's word and God's people, that enables the resilience of joy of which Rabbi Sacks spoke. That is, true joy arises not simply from a happiness experienced in the present but the meaning it acquires from a deeper love story, an epic adventure, reaching back many generations. Can it be that the joy of which scripture and tradition speak involves a decision to rejoice, no matter what?

For reflection

What inspires you about Simchat Torah and its celebration? Or about the words of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks?

Can you remember a time when you were able to appreciate and 'taste' goodness, truth and love, even amidst tragedy, suffering and sorrow? Share some thoughts on this sensitive, profound topic encompassing the heartbreaks and difficulties in our lives.

© Teresa Pirola, 2026. Reproduction for non-commercial use permitted with acknowledgment of website. www.lightoftorah.net