This Sukkot (2015), following Abbas’ speech and declaration at the UN, has seen a tragic surge in terror attacks, stabbings and shootings in Israel. Earlier this holiday we spoke of the shooting of Eitam and Naama Henkin (and messages from her Lulav artwork). Since then there’s also been the Jerusalem stabbing deaths of Nehemia Levi and Aharon Bennet, and others attacks leaving many wounded and grieving. Leading into Shmini-Atzeret, which is Israel’s night to dance for Simchat Torah. Dancing in Jerusalem tonight must be bittersweet: joy mingled with sadness, exuberance tempered with concern.
This sentiment of mixed Simchat Torah feelings recalls a sad but beautiful story of a Chassid named Tzvi Hirsch Gansburg, who lost his young wife and mother of his five children, on the 2nd day of Sukkot in 1969. Read the story of his Simchat Torah here on the MeaningfulLife website.
For more on the background of Chabad’s Holiday “Tahalucha” visits to NY-area synagogues, see my “Walking the Distance, Feeling the Closeness” article on Chabad.org.