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Kenneth Cohen

The Sixth Day

The celebration of Simchat Torah, includes the reading of the final Parsha of the Torah as well as the beginning of Breishit once again.

This year, the first Parsha of the year will be read just two days after Simchat Torah is celebrated in Israel. This is the perfect time to resolve to study the weekly Torah portion in greater depth this year.

It is also interesting to note that the description of the creation each day of the week, has the same ending, except for the sixth day. On all other days, it is written, יום אחד, יום שני, יום שלישי, etc. But the sixth day has an extra “ה” making the word, יום השישי.

The explanation for this discrepancy is that the Torah is not only referring to that which was created on the “sixth day,” but it was referring to another “sixth day.”

The second reference is to the sixth day of Sivan, when the Torah was given on Mount Sinai. The Rabbis explain that the world was created for the sake of the Torah.

Without the Torah, the world would be returned to a state of תהו ובהו, or nothingness. The Torah was ultimately given to the Jewish people as an anchor for the whole world. It served as a constant reminder of all that is good, moral, and holy, in this world.

We have seen what happens to a world that lacks morality, and substitutes Torah values for “wokeism,” and other nonsense. Values are lost and the masses are left wandering around in search of meaning.

The “יום השישי” that is also read on Simchat Torah, gives us reason to celebrate and appreciate the precious gift that is the Torah. The Tanya writes that the Torah and G-d are One. The will of Hashem is expressed in the Torah.

It is the vehicle that allows us to be drawn closer and closer to Hashem.

When we experience this closeness, there is absolutely nothing that compares in giving a sense of purpose and contentment in this world. The sixth day of Sivan, was the greatest day in human history.

About the Author
Rabbi Cohen has been a Torah instructor at Machon Meir, Jerusalem, for over twenty years while also teaching a Talmud class in the Shtieblach of Old Katamon. Before coming to Israel, he was the founding rabbi of Young Israel of Century City, Los Angeles. He recently published a series of Hebrew language-learning apps, which are available at www.cafehebrew.com