How to Celebrate Simchat Torah This Year: Honoring Our Paths in Trying Times

As we approach Simchat Torah this year, it’s impossible to ignore the profound weight of the past year. October 7, 2023, which fell on Simchat Torah, the joy that usually fills our synagogues and streets was replaced with unimaginable horror. Over 1,200 innocent lives were brutally taken, including 38 children, and 257 people were kidnapped into Gaza. Today, 101 remain missing, leaving their families and communities in a state of enduring pain, fear, and uncertainty. This tragic day, which has become known as שבת השחורה (Shabbat HaSh’chura), left an indelible mark on all of us, and as we approach this anniversary, it’s clear that this Simchat Torah will feel different.

Traditionally, Simchat Torah is a time of unbridled joy when we dance with the Torah, celebrate the completion of the annual Torah reading, and immediately begin it anew. It’s a day filled with laughter, singing, and an exuberant expression of connection to the Torah and to one another. But this year, many of us are still grieving. We’re carrying the trauma of last year’s devastating events, and for many, the thought of dancing, singing, and rejoicing feels too difficult—perhaps even impossible.

And that’s okay. There is no “right” or “wrong” way to celebrate Simchat Torah this year. Each of us is walking a different path through grief, and each of us will approach this day in our unique way. Some may feel ready to dance with the Torah, embracing the joy of the holiday to affirm life and resilience. Others may feel the need for quieter, more reflective moments, choosing to honor the day with solemnity, prayer, or simply by being with loved ones. Both responses—and all responses in between—are valid.

Kohelet (Ecclesiastes), which we read during Sukkot, offers us wisdom for times like these. In Chapter 3, Kohelet writes:

“לכל זמן, ועת לכל חפץ תחת השמים. עת לבכות ועת לשחוק, עת ספוד ועת רקוד”
“To everything, there is a season and a time for every matter under the heavens. A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.”
(קהלת ג:א,ד)

Kohelet reminds us that life is full of cycles—of weeping and laughing, mourning and dancing. This year, many of us may still find ourselves in a season of mourning, and that’s perfectly natural. Grief cannot be neatly timed or packaged; it ebbs and flows in unpredictable ways. Some of us may feel like we’re still mourning, while others may feel ready to embrace moments of joy and celebration as part of their healing process. Both are okay.

If you feel compelled to dance and rejoice in this Simchat Torah—to find solace in the communal celebration of Torah—know that you are honoring life’s resilience. Dancing with the Torah can be an act of defiance, a way of proclaiming that despite the pain of the past year, we are still here, still committed to our faith, our people, and our future. Something is compelling about celebrating in the face of suffering. It doesn’t mean you’ve forgotten the pain or moved on from the grief—it means you are finding strength in the joy that the Torah and community bring.

At the same time, if you feel that this Simchat Torah is a time for quiet reflection, prayer, or simply being present with the grief that still lingers, that is also a meaningful and valid way to observe the day. For many, the thought of dancing and celebrating may feel too distant, too painful. And that’s okay, too. We are not required to feel joy on a day when our hearts are still heavy with sorrow.

There is no single way to celebrate or commemorate this Simchat Torah. Some may join the community in joyous dancing, while others may take time for private reflection, lighting a candle, or praying for those still missing. Some may celebrate in quieter ways, perhaps by reading the Torah with family or simply by walking in nature, appreciating the gift of life in its simplest form.

We must recognize that our bodies and minds process grief and joy differently. There is no right way to navigate these complex emotions, especially in trying times. Some of us may feel bursts of joy, followed by waves of sadness. Others may feel numb, unable to connect with the usual rhythms of the holiday. And some may experience both joy and sorrow simultaneously—a mix of emotions reflecting life’s paradox. Kohelet speaks to this complexity, reminding us that life is not always simple or clear-cut; it is full of contradictions, and we must learn to hold joy and grief together.

Kohelet offers another piece of wisdom:

“לך אכול בשמחה לחמך ושתה בלב טוב יינך, כי כבר רצה האלהים את מעשיך”
“Go, eat your bread with joy and drink your wine with a merry heart, for Hashem has already approved what you do.”
(קהלת ט:ז)

This pasuk encourages us to enjoy life’s simple pleasures, even in difficult times. For some, this Simchat Torah may be about finding those small moments of joy—whether it’s sharing a meal with loved ones, connecting with family and friends, or simply taking a moment to appreciate the beauty of the world around us. Joy doesn’t have to be loud or exuberant; it can be quiet, tender, and personal.

This year, more than ever, we must respect that each of us grieves and heals differently. There is no wrong way to celebrate Simchat Torah in the shadow of last year’s tragedy. Whether you dance, reflect, pray, or simply be, know your response is valid and meaningful. We must honor our needs, listen to our hearts, and support one another through this challenging time.

For those who feel compelled to take action, this Simchat Torah can also be a time to channel our grief into meaningful work. Perhaps it’s a time to give tzedakah (charity) in honor of those who were lost, to advocate for the release of the 101 hostages still missing, or to organize a community event that brings people together in support and solidarity. Sometimes, doing something tangible can provide a sense of purpose and connection in moments of profound grief.

Ultimately, the message of Simchat Torah, especially in a year like this, is about renewal—the renewal of life, of community, and our commitment to the Torah and each other. Just as we finish the Torah and immediately begin it again, so do we continue to live, rebuild, and find meaning, even after the darkest of times. This Simchat Torah, let us hold space for both the joy of the Torah and the sorrow of our collective grief. Let us honor each other’s paths, knowing that we are all navigating this harrowing journey in our way.

May this Simchat Torah, whatever form it takes for you, be a time of compassion, resilience, and reflection. May we honor the memories of those lost, support the families still waiting for the return of their loved ones, and find ways to move forward with hope and purpose, even in the face of deep pain. May we, as a community, continue to hold each other up, respecting the different ways we grieve, heal, and celebrate as we face the future together.