We do respect the law. But we live for the Law
A hachnassas sefer Torah doesn’t happen that often here in Montreal. It’s not an annual event or even a biennial event. We don’t have a special sefer Torah truck or rotating electric crown — just people who come out happily to share in the joy.
A few years ago, I was standing near a wise local rav at just such an event when someone asked him why the minhag is to dance so publicly and extravagantly, in a celebration unique to this mitzvah. Generally, our joy is contained, reserved behind closed doors. Even on Simchas Torah, our hakafos are held indoors, in the private domain.
Why is this different?
I will tell you what the rav said in a minute.
First, a drop about COVID, even though I know the oilam is done hearing COVID musings and you’ve all moved on to your (baruch Hashem!) fully reopened lives, but you can only write what you know, and here in Canada, we’re still shut in, locked down, curfewed, unvaccinated, and polite.
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