AUGUST 10 • 2023 | 41

The Joy in Judaism
H

ow can we expect 
our children to 
embrace Judaism if 
they perceive our history and 
rituals as burdens? 
Just two weeks ago, we 
observed Tisha b’Av, 
the saddest day on the 
Jewish calendar. It is 
not just one sad day 
but the culmination 
of the period, known 
as the Three Weeks, 
which began on the 
17th of the Hebrew 
month of Tammuz, 
which amongst other 
things is the tragic 
day Moses shattered 
the tablets when he 
saw the nation at the 
foot of Mount Sinai with the 
Golden Calf. 
During this period, no 
matter how good our lives 
might be, we focus on all 
the tragedies of our history, 
including the Holocaust and 
the sadness of living for the 
last 2,000 years in exile. We 
must never forget that we are 
living in a world that is noth-
ing like what it is supposed 
to be. While we understand 
the importance of remem-
bering our difficult history, 
how can we expect our 
children to have the passion 
and the desire to “stay in the 
game?”
This week’s Torah portion 
gives us an insight into one 
of the reasons why despite 
this challenge we have suc-
ceeded in being the Eternal 
Nation and enjoying a 
unique place in world his-
tory with our unparalleled 
continuity. Seven times in 
this week’s Torah portion, it 
emphasizes serving with joy. 

The eight days of Sukkot 
are the culmination of the 
holiday cycle that starts with 
Passover when we became 
a nation. This week’s Torah 
portion informs us that the 
theme of those eight 
days is pure joy, Zeman 
Simchatenu. Normally, 
we don’t associate 
the Temple, the Beit 
HaMikdash, as a place 
of celebration; yet, in 
describing the rituals 
of Sukkot, the Mishnah 
says that anyone who 
did not see the celebra-
tion of it in the Temple 
never truly experienced 
the pinnacle of true joy.
In just three weeks, 
we will read in Ki Tavo the 
Torah warning of the terrible 
calamities that will befall 
the nation when they sin. 
The verse states, “Life will 
be good, and the people will 
forget their Creator; they will 
sin and be punished.” (28:48) 
The Chasam Sofer interprets 
this verse homiletically as 
when that joy of Judaism 
is missing, it will ultimate-
ly lead to our failure as a 
nation.
When we model the prac-
tice of Judaism with joy, our 
children will want to remain 
engaged. Only when keeping 
the traditions, giving char-
ity, Torah study, prayer and 
communal responsibilities 
have meaningfulness and are 
joyful will our children not 
only connect to but love their 
Judaism as well, thereby, 
ensuring our continuity as 
the Eternal Nation. 

Rabbi Tzali Freedman is regional 

director of Central East NCSY in 

Southfield.

Rabbi Tzali 
Freedman

Parshat 

Re’eh: 

Deuteronomy 

11:26-16:17; 

Isaiah 

54:11-55:5.

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