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Shul On Simchas Torah

Paul Shaviv laments that "Simchat Torah has become a poor imitation of Purim in too many places. It seems to have too little real religious 'Simchah', and not a deal of meaningful 'Torah'. It is wild, and it is, I am sad to say, in many places, tied in with alcohol."

Another trend I find disturbing - in some areas and shuls only - is that the davening on simchas torah is turned into a farce.

Simchas torah in the Upper West Side is very enjoyable, even if one isn't interested in the singles scene. The streets are filled with observant Jews and everyone stays late for the hakafos and to socialize.

Unfortunately, however, services can be even less serious than on Purim. On Purim, people in shul take the readings of Megilas Esther seriously, even if they get completely drunk the rest of the time. On Simchas Torah in Ohev Zedek, the chazan for mussaf has, while saying shmona esrei, had buckets of water spilled on him, been picked up and moved away from the bimah, and been interrupted by loud singing.

Two years ago on simchas torah evening in OZ, Congressman Jerry Nadler came with Carl McCall, who was then Comptroller of the State of New York and a candidate for New York State Governor (he lost, of course, to George Pataki). The atmosphere then actually wasn't so wild, but McCall appeared to be in shock by the relative lack of seriousness.
posted on 10/05/2004