Led by Rabbi Lenore Bohm and Sue Horowitz
Context: Hallel consists of six Psalms (113–118), which are recited as a unit on joyous occasions including each day of the Three Pilgrimage Festivals (Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot), as well as at Hanukkah and Rosh Chodesh. Traditionally, the mood of Hallel is rejoicing, but can we rejoice in the midst of despair and grief? This was a question many in the Jewish community asked during this past year on each holy day, and on many Shabbatot. We felt profound sadness as the war in Israel/Palestine raged on, and dozens of hostages returned murdered or lingered in hellish captivity.
How do we experience and express joy when we feel broken, shattered and filled with trepidation?
A few years ago, before the events of Oct. 7 were seared into Jewish consciousness, talented singer/songwriter Sue Horowitz composed a piece entitled “Hallel in a Minor Key.” This mix of celebration and sadness is how many of us approached each holy day in 2024/5784. And it is the only way some of us can face Sukkot/Simchat Torah this year.
Oct. 18 is the Shabbat that precedes Simchat Torah. For some of us, “Hallel in a Minor Key” strikes the appropriate balance between rejoicing and sadness: we will praise and we will weep.
Ecclesiastes is the megillah read during Sukkot. It says: “There is a time for everything (including) a time for weeping and a time for laughing, a time for wailing and a time for dancing.”
This is our charge for the Shabbat during Sukkot – to weep and to laugh, to wail and to dance. Along with Sue’s heartfelt music, and traditional and contemporary prayers/readings, we will honor those who were killed on Simchat Torah or died afterwards from injury, mistreatment, and disease. Carrying the Torah scroll, in silence, we will dance like those at the Nova Festival before they were hunted down or kidnapped, and like those at synagogues across Israel before their dancing was interrupted by wrenching news and unquenchable pain.
Join us for a SILENT HAKAFAH, a moving, heartfelt dance around the synagogue, to evoke memory and hope, celebration and sadness.
Most Shabbat services at Tikkun v’Or are held in person at on Zoom. Contact info@tikkunvor.