Kavvanot for the Seven Hakafot for Simchat Torah
by Ami Goodman
For Hakafa #1 –
As we hold the Torah close, we recall her teachings of pidyon shvu’im – the redemption and freeing of captives. May we remember all those currently held in captivity, and me we soon see the release of all held captive and hostage and celebrate in their safe return home.
For Hakafa #2 –
Our Torah recounts the deep mourning Jacob had for Joseph when his death was reported to Jacob by the brothers. And so, on this Hakafa, we temper our joy as we recall with profoundgrief all the lives which have been and continue to be snuffed out, for all those suffering, and for all those traumatized and severely injured daily in Gaza and Israel.
Hakafa #3 –
The Land is described in the Torah as an “Eretz zavat chalav ud’vash – A land flowing with milkand honey,” teaching us of the fertility of the Land. So too are the fertile hopes and promise of the Land for all who dwell on her and tend to her. Let us dance, keeping in our hearts the dream and fertile possibilities of a Land for each of the peoples who love her, for and for their secure human right of self-determination.
Hakafa #4 –
As the Torah recounts in detail the deep and heart-wrenching wailing by the exiled Hagar for her dying son Yishma’el, let us remember in this hakafa all those who are grieving – the orphaned, the widowed, the mothers of needlessly starving children, the families of hostages enduring horrific conditions, and for all those suffering needlessly.
Hakafa #5 –
We recently read in Parshat Nitzavim, “Lo bashamyim hi” - the wisdom of Torah is not in the heavens, but accessible and realizable by all. In this spirit, we have been tirelessly taught by Reb Barry Barkan of his chazon (vision) of an urgent paradigm shift in human consciousness towards a world suffused with Ruach Shalom – The Spirit of Wholeness and Peace.” Let us dance withthe Torah on this Hakafa, mindful of the urgency of this fundamental and desperately needed shift, realizing it is accessible to all and not a vision residing in the heavens.
Hakafa #6
Simchat Torah means “Happiness in the Torah”, though Simcha means much more – it is a full embodiment of joy. As Reb Jill Hammer teaches, just as we roll the Torah to its beginning, so we must renew and re-roll ourselves for the new year. She teaches, “Let our dance with the Torah be a reflection of the new wisdom we want to receive in the coming year.” As we whirl and turn with the Torah, let us whirl and turn and be mindful as we shake off our personal shmutz – letting go of unnecessary baggage, othering, and prejudices, and dancing towards out better selves. We are given a new chance.
For Hakafa #7 -
The main themes of the Torah revolve around love, connection and peace. As we dance the final Hakafa, may all the hopes and desires of the previous Hakafot, and may all the teachings of the Torah, guide us and challenge us towards peace with justice, as she says in Leviticus, “I will grant peace and wholeness in the land”. And as we hold her close during the Hakafa, let us hold her close to our hearts throughout the new year and remember that drakheha darkhei no’am, vekhol netivoteha shalom – her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths lead to a just and whole peace.”