SIMCHAT TORAH, A TIME FOR JOY & ASSURANCE

Ron Ross - BFP News
Email: ronrossbfp@hotmail.com

16th October 2006


This year the Jewish celebration of Simchat Torah occurs in mid-October. It has a joyful significance which should fill Christian hearts with envy. .

During Simchat Torah, the Jews will end their yearly cycle of reading through their Scriptures, and then they will begin that cycle all over again for another year.

In the joyous and emotional celebration they will dance and sing in the streets with their beloved Torah scrolls. By this exuberance they demonstrate to themselves and to the world how valued is the Bible to them for life, purpose and even their overcoming existence despite the enemy's plan to `wipe Israel off the map.'

The closing verses for the year describe the death of Moses. The reminder of his death brings forth bitter-sweet responses. The death of Moses reigns on the parade for those who will soon erupt with unbridled joy at the prospect of creation beginning all over again. The emotional significance of Moses end was that he did not live to be an elderly sage. Deuteronomy 34: 7 says, "Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died; his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated." .

Moses by the standards of his day was in the bloom of life. The paradox of Moses story was that he wrestled, struggled and cajoled the people to the Promise Land but failed to enter himself. This may label Moses a failure but scripture says, 'And there arose not a prophet since in Israel, like unto Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face." (Deut 34: 9).

That's a great honour bestowed on Moses, but today the rabbis ponder whether he actually knew or understood his own significance.

Moses died at a time of discontent. The people were unruly. They were filled with envy. They challenged his leadership. To add to the mystery, no one knows where Moses was buried. With the restlessness around him, was Moses frustrated? Whatever his personal feelings, the Jews look back on Moses as the most honoured of men.

It is enlightening to see how the Rabbis teach today about their revered prophet. They say every time anyone studies Torah, Moses lives. To me it sounds like the mystery of his resting place allows their teachers to resurrect Moses into a spiritual being who walks with the Jewish people through the Torah.

Christians might draw similarities to the death of Yeshua and His resurrection and ultimately to the giving of the Holy Spirit (the Ruach Hakadesh) who enlightens, inspires and comforts us.

I find profound significance in another aspect of Simchat Torah.

Death transferring into a new beginning is obvious. We must die to self to be a new Kingdom creature.

In the Simchat Torah observance the individual chosen to read the final passages is 'Hatan Torah" meaning the bridegroom of Torah. The one who comes forward to read the first verses of the new year is called "Hatan Bereshit" or the bridegroom of Genesis.

This is a festive moment for those individuals so honoured. They remember their own wedding celebrations and the joy that day inspired. They relive that wedding celebration in their relationship to the Word and their connection and dependence upon it.

My experience of Jewish weddings underlines joy and celebration. The party goes on for hours and nothing is spared to make certain every guest enjoys the occasion.

The annual celebration of Simchat Torah is a reminder to the Jewish people of the confident, unfettered sequence of the Bible. As it ends, so it begins.

No matter what the daily circumstances of Israel or the battles and struggles she faces, the God of Israel "neither slumbers nor sleeps."

It is from that commitment, Israel survives despite her enemies. It is in the certainty of the Word, Israel goes on and overcomes. It is because the Word of God is steadfast and true and indeed "it will not return to Him empty."

Simchat Torah is an appropriate time for all who trust God to rest in Him and renew our confidence in His promises.

Ron Ross resigned as Senior Pastor of Noosa Baptist Church to become National Director of Bridges for Peace Australia. Three years ago he joined Bridges for Peace in Jerusalem to establish international radio news and an audio service webcast at www.bridgesforpeace.com Ron was Sports Editor of WINTV for 20 years before joining the full-time missions. You can contact Ron at : ronrossbfp@hotmail.com