Oct 13, 2025
he shemini on my atzeres until i simchas torah
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he shemini on my atzeres until i simchas torah
Gut yontiff!
I have to admit, Shemini Atzeres/Simchas Torah in EY was disappointing.
Simchas Torah is usually my favorite holiday, but I just did not feel it this year. Ok, so part of that is because of some stuff I'm currently going through that is totally unrelated to EY or Simchas Torah, but even then - my roommate and I went to 6 shuls during hakafos last night and a 7th one during the day today, and the hakafos everywhere were just totally dead compared to what I'm used to. With a few momentary exceptions at 2 of the places, it all felt like people were going through the motions but didn't actually feel the simcha. At the shul I went to the past 3 years for hakafos, women do not dance at all but the men just have so much simcha that I would be 120% content to watch for hours. The places I went this year, even the ones where the women DID dance I didn't feel it at all. It's sad to say but the most simchadik part of hakafos last night was when my roommate and I decided to have an impromptu 2-person niggun-and-dancing party on an empty street while walking from one shul to another.
I guess we just didn't pick the right shuls. Ah, well.... :/
Feeling a little homesick for my college community. The madricha is really pressuring me to tell her what my plans are for Shemini Atzeres/Simchas Torah, but I haven't even called anyone yet to ask. I miss knowing exactly what all the shuls were like for Simchas Torah and being able to plan accordingly. I have no idea where I want to go and thus no idea who(/where) I want to try to stay by. :/
I'm so excited for this yontiff! Two years ago Simchas Torah was my favorite holiday, but last year due to circumstances I don't want to go into I was not really able to enjoy it at all. This year I am expecting that IY"H it will revert to my favorite holiday and I can't wait!
Chag sameach to all!