Timeless Torah

What a sight they made!
The elderly Chassid with his long, flowing beard and the long-haired college student! Round and round they danced; both driven, both ecstatic. Each so different, except for the one Torah they both shared.
This imaginary scene is more real than you think. On the holiday of Simchat Torah, Jews from all walks of life put aside their differences and come together. As the name of the festival indicates, we are rejoicing in the Torah itself. What is this Torah that is cause for so much celebration? It is the Jews' national treasure, the repository of G-d's wisdom. As such, we are exhorted to study it, “day and night.”
One would imagine that the day specifically set aside for rejoicing with the Torah, would be spent in intense and diligent study. Yet, the high point of the Simchat Torah celebration is neither learning, nor even a simple reading of the Torah's contents. Instead, we dance with a Torah Scroll rolled up and wrapped in its covering!
Nevertheless, that is how the holiday must be celebrated. Any other way, such as studying the Torah, would not bring about true joy. In fact, it would probably sadden us. A study session on Simchat Torah would only emphasize the differences in scholarly achievement between one Jew and the next. Even the scholar, seeing his unlearned brother staring blankly at the meaningless Hebrew words, would feel pain for the other fellow's sake. In dancing with the closed Torah scroll however, all of us, from the great Moses to the beginner student, can dance - and dance together.
There may be some who do not know what precious wisdom is stored in the Torah. They may not appreciate its value. Yet they know that the Torah which was given to us, “is the equal inheritance of every single Jew.” This realization alone must evoke an unbounded joy in the hearts of all.
So why does one celebrate Simchat Torah Is it because this book of wisdom offers endless years of interesting research and enjoyable study? The answer is because this wonderful Torah is mine, yours and ours.