Regarding the “Water Libation” ceremony (Simchat Bet Hashoeva) which was celebrated during the holiday of Sukkot in the Bet Hamikdash (the Holy Temple), the Talmud states: "Whoever did not see the Simchat Bet Hashoeva did not see happiness in his life." The Talmud records that Reb Levi used to juggle eight knives before Rabbi Yehuda HaNassi, Rabbi Shimon ben Gamliel would juggle with eight lighted torches, and so forth. It is written in the name of Rabbi Ben Chanania, "When we used to rejoice at the place of the water-drawing, our eyes saw no sleep.” This great joy was done in preparation and introduction to the mitzvah (commandment) of the "pumping and pouring of the water." That mitzvah was performed during the day following the joy and dancing. A small group of boys (that were never defiled) would draw water from the Shiloach spring, which was in close vicinity to the Temple. From there, the water was brought directly to the Altar and the Kohen (priest) would pour the water together with the wine that is poured with every sacrifice. What is the reason for this wonderful joy during the mitzvah of the water libation as opposed to any other mitzvah? One explanation is that although the mitzvah of the water libation is not explicit in the Torah, it was passed down from generation to generation by Moses orally. As is known, there were a group of Jews at that time that the Temple stood called “Tsedukim," who did not accept the oral law and only kept what they felt was explicitly written in the Torah. Therefore, in order to counteract their views and show in a clear and absolute way our adherence and belief in the oral law, we would celebrate this mitsvah with overwhelming joy and great publicity. A deeper explanation regarding the happiness is as follows: One of the differences between wine and water is that wine has taste and smell and water has neither taste nor smell. Furthermore, wine by nature brings about joy and elation, as it is written "and wine shall make happy the heart of Man," while water does not have this nature. In the spiritual realm, wine symbolizes the mind and understanding, which give taste and smell (that is, substance) to everything, while faithfulness and accepting the yoke of Heaven are ethereal and do not lend taste or pleasure in the form of substance. In the same way, intellectual observation brings happiness and acceptance of the Yoke of Heaven. This perspective brings forth a basic concept relating to the Jewish people, for whom faithfulness and the Yoke of Heaven are accepted with joy, with all of their heart. They are happy to be servants of the Creator, to fulfill all of His commandments. This great joy is expressed via the Simchat Bet Hashoeva, which was celebrated by pouring specifically the plain water. May we merit once again to see the joy of the water libation ceremony in the Third Temple quickly in our day.
Posted on: Tue, 24 Sep 2013 22:17:13 +0000
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