Last night, we celebrated Simchat Torah, a time not only to conclude another year of reading the Torah but also to begin the journey anew. And on this journey we ask, what is the Torah?
The story “When Zaydeh Danced on Eldridge Street” tells of a Zaydeh (grandfather) who wasn’t the easiest to get along with. He didn’t like having children around unless they behaved well; he seemed grumpy, and his family was afraid of him. One day, his granddaughter, Zeesie, came to stay with him and Bubbe (grandmother). Her parents kept reminding her, “Behave, Zeeseleh!”
It was Simchat Torah, and to Zeesie’s surprise, Zaydeh invited her to go to shul with him! He never invited her to shul before. He explained that it was Simchat Torah and told her about the holiday. Zeesie was excited but had one question for Zaydeh: “What is Torah?”
Zaydeh was taken aback by the question—not because of what she asked, but because she asked! None of his other children or grandchildren had ever asked him that exact question: “What is Torah?”
As Zaydeh explained, there are more answers to that question than there are Jews in the world. And how true that is.
We often say the Torah contains our history, the stories of the Jewish people, and so many laws—yet, as we know from studying it, Torah is even more complex.
As Jews, we are taught to ask questions: Why does it say this? Where did we learn that? What does this mean for us today? We aren’t meant to simply follow the words of Torah because it says so.
Torah also evokes deep emotions. For some, holding the Torah is a profoundly emotional experience. Being near a Torah can inspire awe, especially when we might be in the presence of a scroll whose story traces back to places like Eastern Europe during World War II. Torah can also be mysterious—what is this scroll that so many would risk their lives for?
Indeed, there are as many answers to the question “What is Torah?” as there are people. And each of us must answer that question for ourselves. We do this every week during Torah study and invite you to join us. Finally, I ask you: What is Torah to you? Share your answer with me and with others here.
Torah are our customs, traditions, values, and how to live a proper life based on the Ten Commandments.