Parsha Talk Hoshana Rabbah – Shmini – Simchat Torah 5784 2023

Parsha Talk with Rabbis Eliot Malomet, Barry Chesler and Jeremy Kalmanofsky. Because Sh’mini Atzeret and Simchat Torah fall on Shabbat and Sunday, we have another special edition of Parashah Talk. The parashah for this Shabbat is Deuteronomy 14:22–16:17, from parashat Re’eh, which is also read on the last day of Passover and second day of Shavuot. It is Deuteronomy’s festival calendar. Ironically, this calendar does not mention Sh’mini Atzeret.
Our conversation took up in turn, the holidays of Hoshanah Rabbah [Friday, October 6], Shmini Atzeret [Shabbat, October 7], and Simchat Torah [October 8]. Next week we return to the regular weekly parashah, as we start the Torah reading cycle over, with Bereshit [Genesis 1:1–6:8]. At this time of year, with the conclusion of the long holiday season in sight, I am reminded of President Ford’s comment when he assumed office in August, 1974: Our long national nightmare is over. Regularity and routine never looked so good! Shabbat Shalom & Chag Same’ach!!