Simchas Torah

FULL oft has the ark been opened

And in the sad procession,

Our Fathers bore the sacred Law

Their one most dear possession.

While unto the foe abandoned

To ravish and to spoil,

They left their rich and plenteous store,

The fruits of a life of toil.

And into the regions unfathomed

They bore the precious scroll,

To shield it or to die for it,

To pay the exile’s toll.

Yet in to-day’s pageant procession

Of banner and scroll and light,

The Jew clasps tight the self-same Law

He bore through oppression’s night.

Rejoice then, O Israel! Thy praise

Unto thy Maker give.

No more the Torah bids thee die;

To-day it bids thee live!

To live for it, and to cherish

Each sacred memory,

Which time has woven in a crown

Of glory unto thee.

Let revelry hold its sway, then,

And the hour be given to cheer;

For the cycle of reading is ended

On the happiest day of the year.

And lest the mocker, derisive,

Avow you delight to be through,

Lovingly wind it from end to start;

Begin to read it anew.