Joy of Torah

Jehonathan Philip: “Last year in July, I had my bar mitzvah at the Great Synagogue in Jerusalem. That means I am now considered an adult according to the Jewish faith. I did it because I want to follow our traditions as a son of the covenant between Hashem (God) and Israel. That was the first time I was allowed to read aloud from the Torah in the synagogue. There were a lot of people there; it was a big celebration. Now, like adult Jewish men, I am allowed to wear my tefillin (prayer straps) and tallit (prayer shawl) during morning prayers.”

Thirteen-year-old Jewish boys become bar mitzvah (son of the law), and twelve-year-old girls become bat mitzvah (daughter of the law). This is marked by a festive ceremony.

Menorah

The menorah is an important symbol in Judaism. In the Torah, God instructs Israel to make this seven-branched candelabrum (Exodus 35:31-40). Perhaps not coincidentally, a menorah, with its stem and branches, resembles a tree in bloom. Psalm 67 is structured in the form of this seven-branched candelabrum. The Psalm begins with the words that God causes His face to shine upon Israel. From them, God’s light shines out over the world, and all nations will praise Him (verses 4 and 6). That is why the menorah is also a symbol of Israel as a light to the nations (Isaiah 49:6).

Law and Grace

Are Law and grace opposites? No, and Judaism shows why. Judaism views the Law as something positive. According to Jews, the Law is not the opposite of grace, but rather a logical response to God’s grace. God is gracious, and in gratitude for His grace Jews observe the Law, the Torah. That is why Jesus also says that He did not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17 NASB). He fully put the Torah into practice and taught:

“For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke of a letter shall pass from the Law, until all is accomplished!” (Matthew 5:18 NASB).

Simchat Torah

On Simchat Torah, or the Joy of the Torah, Jews express their joy in God’s Law. All the Torah scrolls owned by the synagogue are brought out and carried in a procession seven times. After each circuit, there is singing and dancing. Small children are often carried on shoulders so that they can join in as well.

“Blessed is the person… But his delight is in the Law of the Lord, and on His Law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree planted by streams of water.” (Psalm 1:1-3 NASB)

Raising children with love

God does not give the Law to make life difficult for people or to impose a (too) heavy burden. He gives His teachings out of love because He knows what is best for His children. Lea Farkash lives in Israel and is Orthodox Jewish. How does she pass on her faith while raising her children?

Lea:

“When our children were still small, the laws and rules were, so to speak, instilled in them from an early age. For example, it’s very normal to say blessings before eating. From a young age, we teach our children the Torah with explanations. They don’t understand it at first; only as they get older can they grasp its depth. You can’t force obedience to the Law. The whole idea of Judaism is love: shower your children and your family with love. That’s how you pass on your faith to the next generation. Do everything with love, everything with devotion.”