On the eve of Yom Kippur I sent out an email to my entire list, wishing everyone an easy and meaningful fast, and reminding them about Yom Kippur services. I included a list of practical tips for getting through the fast, and a mitzvah appeal asking everyone to commit to doing an extra mitzvah in honor of the holiday. But most importantly, I listed the dates and times of each service.
Because my emails reach thousands of individuals, I make sure to check and recheck every detail—the dates, times and links. This email was no different. I checked and rechecked it. I sent myself a preview just to make sure it would come out right on the other side! I even put more effort into it, because I knew that on the eve of Yom Kippur, even those individuals who normally delete my emails without opening, might feel compelled to open and read it.
Well, despite my vigilance, the email went out listing Yom Kippur as September 26, which is actually Simchat Torah! Oops.
Normally, only about 20% of people open my emails, and of that 20%, most, probably don’t pay attention to every detail. So I was surprised and impressed by the amount of people who responded, letting me know about the mistake.
The emails I received ranged from curious and confused to entertaining and appreciative.
"Rabbi, is Yom Kippur being delayed this year?"
"Do we have to fast twice? Today, and again in two weeks?"
"Rabbi, I love the way Yom Kippur is now on Simchat Torah. Does that mean we celebrate Simchat Torah tonight with liquor?"
"This is why I love Chabad!"
Truthfully, the High Holiday period is a process. First we go through the month of Elul, a time when we are hyper aware of G-d, ourselves, our pasts and our future. Then we arrive at Rosh Hashanah, accept G-d as our King and make serious resolutions for the coming year. Finally, Yom Kippur is upon us, the holiest and most serious day of the year. In some ways, it is considered the day of our marriage to G-d. Then we continue on to Sukkot, festival of joy. The Sukkah resembles G-d’s embrace. Then, the culmination of the High Holiday period, Simchat Torah. Pure, unbridled joy, when we celebrate our deep bond with G-d and His Torah.
The Chassidic masters explain that we can accomplish the same thing with joy and dancing on Simchat Torah, that we accomplish on Yom Kippur with tears. So, the two holidays are actually more closely related than they might seem on the surface. On Yom Kippur we fast and pray and cry, but on Simchat Torah we dance and sing and rejoice. Let’s put on our dancing shoes and prepare to reach great spiritual heights on the happiest day of the year—Simchat Torah.