Simchat Tora

It is a specially joyful holiday this year. For Jews this is not a given at any time so when we have a minute in our history when we feel collective joy and harmony, we note it.

This post and this song are dedicated to Debora Orr for her attempt to empty a dropper full of poison into the happiness felt by all of Israel at the return of Gilad Shalit.

Mipi El

None is mightier than God
None is more blessed than the son of Amram
No greatness can match the Tora
And none study the Tora like Israel

***

Or, if you want it in more deconstructionist mode, here is Boris Yellnikoff on the subject of joy:

" I happen to hate New Year's celebrations. Everybody desperate to have fun. Trying to celebrate in some pathetic little way. Celebrate what? A step closer to the grave? That's why I can't say enough times, whatever love you can get and give, whatever happiness you can filch or provide, every temporary measure of grace, whatever works. And don't kid yourself. Because its by no means up to your own human ingenuity. A bigger part of your existence is luck, than you'd like to admit. Christ, you know the odds of your fathers one sperm from the billions, finding the single egg that made you. Don't think about it, you'll have a panic attack."