Back to Reality

Isru Chag is almost like a letdown. It sounds weird, but just getting back into the swing of things after so much preparation, action, and adventure, is a hard thing to do. It's like Garfield hating Mondays- they take so much more effort than the rest of the week, simply because they arrive after Sunday.

I escaped to Tzfas (Safed, for those who don't know) over the Chol HaMoed break, and then to Netanya for a barbeque with those cousins in the Shomron- see my earlier post. Just coming back to plain old (although it's never really plain and old) Yerushalayim was a letdown of sorts- home, no need to travel, no strange and interesting people, no hectic rushing and crazy landings. Especially after visiting Tzfas, city of air and mysticism, coming back to Yerushalayim's fire of home and Torah is something different.

I love visiting Tzfas- it's one of those places that has a claim on my heart. It's wild, imaginative, and something different- a breath of fresh air.

For those who don't know, there are four holy cities in Israel, each representing one of the four basic elements. Tiveria (Tiberias) is one, representing water, with the Kinneret lake at its center. Chevron (Hevron) is another, representing the earth in which the Patriarchs and Matriarchs are buried. Yerushalayim represents fire- the fire of the Temple, the fire of Torah, and the fiery people who live there (see the riots and protest that go on!) , and Tzfas represents air- a whiff of fresh air, something different. Or the fact that there must be something in the air there- that makes many a poor soul make their way there to be understood.

Anyway. Isru Chag is a culmination and a letdown. The succahs are being demolished in my front yard, the schach is being packed away, and the esrogim are being made into besamim. Here's a phenomenal powerpoint from Chinuch.org- Chananya Kramer- that shows exactly how to do that if you are interested:

Chananya Kramer- Esrog Besamim Project

All in all, another wonderful Chag has come to an end. Hoping next year's Succos is just as wonderful!

Whew!

Well, Succos is over- my 5 kg washing machine is trying to handle the 10 loads of laundry I have left, and my out-of-town guests have packed up and out. In short, it's Isru Chag.

It kind of collapses with a bump- that the month spent cooking, cleaning, preparing, davening, and celebrating all ends with massive amounts of dishes to wash, and a regular old Shabbos to prepare.

But in truth- we all gained immensly from Yom Tov- and when it comes around again, we'll have new meaning to take to the holiday, something garnered away from last year and brought out to shine again- like the Succos decorations waiting to find their space in my machsan (storage space).

Here's a short Dvar Torah for all interested....otherwise, better get back to my sponja!

Short Dvar Torah- Shmini Atzeres and Simchas Torah are celebrated on the same day here in E"Y, which is interesting- what do the two have in common?

Shmini Atzeres is based upon the fact that after Succos, Hashem tells Bnai Yisroel that their parting is too hard, and so they should celebrate for another day of Yom Tov.
Simchas Torah is based upon the fact that we finish the annual completion of reading the entire Torah- and we want to show our love for it.

In reality, the two are related. Shmini Atzeres is us wanting to show our connection to Hashem, to rejoin each other for yet another day of Yom Tov, and to show our love to Hashem that we want to stay for another day. What better way to do that with a show of the greatest connection we have to Hashem- the Torah! The Torah shows our desire to have Hashem in our midst, and shows our connection to His Torah as well.

So that's why Shmini Atzeres and Simchas Torah are celebrated on the same day!

Credits: Mr. NMF (hey, I've got to give credit where credit is due!)